What to know

  • The Patrol Car Key commonly drops in residential areas, especially at Ruby Residence and Research & Administration buildings on the Dam Battlegrounds map.
  • It is a one-time-use key used to unlock the rear door of patrol cars located in the Headhouse area of the Blue Gate region.
  • Headhouse can be reached by heading underground via stairs and ziplines, where patrol cars spawn randomly.
  • The patrol car loot typically contains mid-tier blue weapons and other valuable gear.

The Patrol Car Key is a valuable one-time-use key in ARC Raiders that unlocks the rear door of armored patrol cars located underground in the Headhouse area of the Blue Gate region. Finding and using this key allows players to access mid-tier blue weapons and useful gear otherwise inaccessible, making it a strategic loot acquisition tool on the Dam Battlegrounds map. The key is mainly found in guardhouses at the Checkpoint, residential areas such as Ruby Residence, and the Research & Administration building, and it is also guaranteed once during the Armored Transport quest.

Screenshot by: NerdsChalk

Arc Raiders Patrol Car Key: Details

Item Details
Key Name Patrol Car Key
Map Dam Battlegrounds, Blue Gate
Typical Find Spots Loot containers and enemy drops in Ruby Residence and Research & Administration buildings, Guardhouses in Checkpoint (Blue Gate)
Unlocks Rear door of patrol cars in Headhouse, Blue Gate region
Loot Quality Mid-tier (blue weapons, attachments, other valuable gear)
Sell Value ~100 Creds (estimated, varies)
Best Use Unlock patrol car loot underground in Headhouse for mid-tier blue weapons and gear

ARC Raiders Patrol Car Key: Location

The Patrol Car Key in ARC Raiders can be found across several spots in the Dam Battlegrounds map. It most often appears in guardhouses at the Blue Gate checkpoint (inside small huts or on tables), residential areas like Ruby Residence on the western side, and within the Research & Administration building near the map’s center.

0:00
/0:16

Screen recording by: NerdsChalk

After obtaining the key, head to the Headhouse area in Blue Gate. From the Headhouse circle near the Warehouse complex, go down the stairs and take the zipline to reach the underground highway tunnel filled with vehicles, including patrol cars. These cars spawn randomly — use the Patrol Car Key on the rear door to unlock and loot mid-tier blue weapons and gear.

0:00
/0:19

Screen recording by: NerdsChalk

ARC Raiders Patrol Car Key: Uses

Step #1

Once you have the Patrol Car Key in your inventory, travel to the Headhouse area in the Blue Gate region of the Dam map.

Screenshot by: NerdsChalk
Step #2

From the Headhouse, go underground by taking stairs down several levels, then use a zipline to reach a highway area with multiple vehicles.

0:00
/0:10

Screen recording by: NerdsChalk

Step #3

Patrol Cars spawn randomly in this highway area; search around until you find one.

Screenshot by: NerdsChalk
Step #4

Use the Patrol Car Key to unlock the rear door of the found patrol car. The key is consumed after use and cannot be reused.

Screenshot by: NerdsChalk
Step #5

Loot the blue-tier weapons and other gear inside.

Screenshot by: NerdsChalk

ARC Raiders Patrol Car Key: Loot rewards

Location Accessed Typical Contents
Patrol Car rear compartment (Headhouse underground) One mid-tier blue weapon (usually a rifle or SMG), some ammo, occasional attachments or crafting materials