Legal Placement of Dash Cam: Complete Guide for U.S. Drivers
Are you concerned about the legal implications and potential fines of mounting your dash cam in the wrong place?
You’re not alone!
With the billion-dollar dash cam market, it’s no wonder that finding a legal solution is a top priority for users. The complex web of regulations across different states can be anxiety-inducing.
But what if you could avoid all the uncertainty and hassle by knowing the proper and legal place to mount your dash cam?
Look no further – in this blog post, we’ll explore the secure and legal placement of dash cam. We’ll provide a comprehensive guide to every location where you can mount your dash cam legally, complete with local rules and regulations state by state.
With that said, let’s roll in.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. It’s best to check your local laws and consult lawyers.
Table of Contents
- Can You Legally Use Dash Cam In the US?
- Dash Cam Laws in the United States
- Legal Placement of Dash Cam: Where to Place Dash Cam Legally
- The Bottom Line
- FAQs
Can You Legally Use Dash Cam In the US?
Generally speaking, it’s legal to have a dash cam in your vehicle in the United States. However, the installation and placement of dash cams can vary from state to state, and it’s important to check each state’s laws to ensure that you are placing your dash cam legally.
Most states allow dash cams as long as they do not obstruct the driver’s view. Still, it’s important to note that recording on private property without permission is illegal. Additionally, it’s illegal to record the voices of passengers without their consent.
To avoid any legal issues, research the specific laws in your state before installing a dash cam. By doing so, you can ensure that you are complying with all regulations and can enjoy the benefits of having a dash cam without any legal repercussions.
Dash Cam Laws in the United States
No federal law in the United States specifically addresses the placement of dash cams. Instead, laws regarding dash cam placement are typically determined at the state level.
However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn’t allow any device on the windshield that obstructs the driver’s view or in the area swept by the windshield wipers. Some states of the US clearly mention the placement of dash cam permissions and prohibition.
Below we’ve listed some laws regarding dash cam placement in major states.
California
Here’s what Vehicle Code section 26710 says about dash cam placement in a vehicle in California:
“No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.”
Alaska and Arizona
Alaska Statute 13.04.225 and Arizona dash cam laws only allow the use of dash cams if their size is smaller than 5 “x5” when mounted on the driver’s side and less than 7 “x7” when placed on the passenger side.
Connecticut
According to Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-99g:
“Dash cams may be mounted in the lower corners of the windshield but may not be placed in a way that obstructs the driver’s view.“
Delaware
Delaware law states that:
“No person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway with any sign, poster or other non-transparent material upon the front windshield, side wings or side or rear window of such a motor vehicle.”
Colorado
The Section 42-4-227 of Colorado Revised Statutes states that:
“It is unlawful for a person to install anything that covers the windshield or window’s clear view.”
New Mexico
According to the dash cam laws of New Mexico:
“No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any non-transparent material upon or in the front windshield, windows to the immediate right and left of the driver.”
Legal Placement of Dash Cam: Where to Place Dash Cam Legally
It is permissible by law to position your dash cam in various locations. Let’s review the places where you can mount a dash cam and examine if various states of the US permit or prohibit that placement.
Windshield
Windshield is the most common place to mount a dash cam, but some states have specific laws and regulations for windshield obstruction that might affect the placement of a dash cam.
Many states, including California, Indiana, Arizona, Maryland, and Vermont, allow dash cams mounting on the lower part of the windshield – as long as they don’t obstruct the driver’s view.
However, some states like New York, Washington, Texas, Georgia, and West Virginia have stricter regulations for windshield obstruction.
Dashboard
Dashboard is the most secure and legal position in the US to place a dashcam because it doesn’t obstruct an inch of the driver’s front view. It is the direct front area of the driver that displays control panels and instrumentation of the vehicle’s operation.
Except for Minnesota, none of the US states prohibit dash cam placement on the dashboard as long as they don’t interfere with airbags or the control system of the vehicle.
Minnesota only permits dash cam installation behind the rearview mirror or slightly above or below it.
Rearview Mirror
A rearview mirror is a device located at the top center of the windshield that provides a view of the area behind the vehicle.
In terms of legality, some states, including New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Colorado, allow dashcam placement on the rearview mirror until the driver can still clearly see through that mirror.
Whereas, in states such as New Mexico, Colorado, and Georgia, it is completely illegal to mount a dash cam on the rearview mirror.
While if you drive in Wisconsin, you can place the dash cam behind the rearview mirror in a way it doesn’t block the area cleaned by the windshield wipers.
Rear Window
The rear window is another popular location to mount rear dash cams, as it provides a good view of the road behind the vehicle. In most states, it is illegal to mount a dash cam on the rear window as it comes in a “non-transparent device” that covers and reduces the view.
States like Virginia, Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Idaho strictly prohibit dash cam placement on rear windows as they mention that obstructing or reducing the view is against the law.
In other states, you can mount the dash cam on the rear window until it doesn’t obstruct the driver’s vision.
A-pillar
The A-pillar is the vertical support on either side of the windshield that supports the vehicle’s roof.
There are no specific laws prohibiting the placement of a dash cam on the A-pillar, but it may still be subject to general obstruction of view laws. If we generally think about it, it can’t be prohibited as it doesn’t block any viewing area.
Rearview Mirror Stem
The rearview mirror stem is the thin pole that connects the rearview mirror to the windshield. You can mount dash cams on the rearview mirror stem.
It is completely safe and legal to mount a dash cam to the rearview mirror stem until it blocks any viewing area for the driver. There is no specific law regarding the placement of dash cams on rearview mirror stem by any state of the US.
Center Console
The center console is the area between the driver and front passenger seats in a vehicle. Many people choose to mount their dash cams on the center console because it is a safe place that doesn’t obstruct the driver’s view or any control panel of the vehicle.
Currently, no specific laws or regulations prohibit the placement of dash cams on the center console in any state in the US.
Side Window
The placement of dash cams on side windows is allowed in many states, including Massachusetts, until it doesn’t disturb the driver’s side view of the road.
Some states, such as Alabama, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Colorado, let you mount dash cams on the front side windows, but only in certain locations that do not obstruct the driver’s view.
In Georgia, mounting a dash cam on the front side windows is illegal. In Michigan, you cannot place dash cams on the front side windows or the windshield.
Check out our guide on how much does a dash cam cost to get an idea of dash cam prices.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to the legal placement of dash cam in the US, it’s important to ensure that the view of the road is not obstructed. While most states allow dash cams, it’s crucial to research and comply with specific laws and regulations in your state.
To avoid legal issues, dashboard mounting is a safe option with no restrictions in any state. You can do it with peace of mind as dashboard mounting has no restrictions across all US states.
Now that you know where to place the dash cams, check out our guide on the best wireless dashcams.
FAQs
Below we’ll answer the most frequent questions regarding the legal location of a dash cam.
Your car’s dashboard is the proper and legal placement for a dash cam. Every other location, including windshield, side window, rear window, and rearview mirror, is somewhat prohibited by any of the US states.
None of the U.S. states prohibit putting a dash cam on your car. However, it is illegal to mount a dash cam in a location where it obstructs, blocks, or reduces the driver’s view. Every US state has different rules and regulations regarding the legal placement of dash cam.
You can not put a dash cam in a place where it obstructs or reduces the driver’s view of the road. However, some US states do not allow putting dash cams on windshields.
You can not completely hide a dash cam. However, you can make it less prominent by placing it in the upper shaded area of the windshield or behind the rearview mirror. You can also place it in front of the rearview mirror, so it blends with the mirror and does not look obvious.
