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Dash cam laws by state

Navigate different dash cam laws across state lines. Stay informed about in-car video and audio recording regulations wherever you drive in the USA. Here is a state-by-state summary of dash cam laws and potential violations in the USA.

Dash cam laws by state

Navigate dash cam laws across state lines throughout the USA and avoid potential violations.

In a recent blog we explored the legality of using dash cams in the UK and how laws about dash cam use vary in countries around Europe. In this article, we look at the state-by-state variations about dash cam use in the USA.

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The first matter to establish is that ‘Yes’, dash cams are legal to install and use in every state in the USA.

However, to be sure that you are operating your dash cam in accordance with prevailing laws and guidelines, you will need to know how they vary from state to state

What differences are there in state dash cam laws?

The most significant state-on-state dash cam law variations involve:

  • The positioning of your dash cam

  • The size of your dash cam

  • Dash cam materials

  • Dash cam audio recording

Problems can arise when you undertake a long drive and travel from one state to another where vehicle laws may be different. The problem is exacerbated for fleet and haulage operators whose vehicles cross state lines regularly.

As it would be a long and involved process to research dash cam regulations in each state, here is a summary of state vehicle laws as they relate to dash cams.

An alphabetical list of dash cam laws by state

Alabama

  • It is illegal to attach anything to the windshield of a vehicle, which makes suction cup dash cams illegal to install

  • The proscription of windscreen attachments is to prevent any obstruction of the driver’s view therefore installing a dash cam on the dashboard is legal, so long as it does not obstruct the driver’s view

Alaska

  • Dash cams are legal if they do not obstruct the driver’s view

  • A dash cam must not be bigger than five inches (height x depth) if it is mounted on the driver’s side

Arizona

  • Dash cam regulations are highly specific and relate to windscreens, side widows and rear windows

  • Arizona’s regulations are concerned with preventing anything that obstructs or reduces a driver’s clear through any window

  • Dash cams have to be smaller than a five-inch square if installed on the driver’s side and smaller than a seven-inch square if installed on the passenger side

Arkansas

  • Dash cams are legal if they are installed behind the rearview mirror and do not obstruct the driver’s view

California

California law exempts dash cams from the law stating that nothing can hang on the windshield. Dash cams may be mounted in a:

  • Seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver

  • Five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver

  • Five-inch square mounted to the centre uppermost portion of the interior of the windshield

Colorado

  • Colorado prohibits obstructing the driver’s view

  • Dash cam cams should be installed behind the rearview mirror or on the dashboard

  • Dash cams should not be reflective (mirrored or metallic) as they could potentially dazzle a driver. 

Connecticut

  • Connecticut prohibits placing non-transparent materials on the windshield

  • Therefore it is best to mount dash cams discretely on the dashboard

Delaware

  • Delaware prohibits applying non-transparent material to the windshield, side wings or side or rear window

  • Therefore dash cams should be mounted on the dashboard

District of Columbia (D.C.)

  • It is illegal to mount a dash cam on the windshield in Washington, D.C

  • Dash cams should be mounted on the dashboard

  • If audio recording is used in the car, all passengers must give their permission to record

  • It is advisable to display a sign or sticker informing passengers that the dash cam records audio

Florida

  • Dash cams are legal so long as they do not obstruct the driver’s view

Georgia

  • It is best to install a dash cam on the dashboard to conform with Georgia’s prohibition of non-transparent materials on the windshield

  • Drivers are only allowed to record video and audio with the permission of everyone in the vehicle

Hawaii

  • A dash cam can be five to seven inches square, as long as it is installed in the top or bottom corners of the windshield

  • Drivers have options to install a dash cam on the dashboard or on the vehicle’s rear window

Idaho

  • Dash cams must be installed on the dashboard

Illinois

  • Drivers can install a dash cam on the windshield if it does not obstruct the driver’s view

  • If installed on the driver’s side, the dash cam must be smaller than five-inches square

Indiana

  • Dash cams can be installed on the dashboard or windshield

  • The camera must be four-inches square and installed in the bottom corner on the passenger side

Iowa

  • Dash cams are legal as long as the driver can see clearly

Kansas

  • Dash cams can be installed on the dashboard or windscreen as long as the dash cam does not obstruct the driver’s view

Kentucky

  • Dash cams are legal as long as the driver can see clearly

Louisiana

  • Dash cams should be placed on the dashboard to avoid falling foul of windscreen obstruction regulations

Maine

  • Dash cams can be installed on the windshield or dashboard as long as they do not interfere with the driver’s vision

Maryland

  • Drivers can place dash cams higher than five inches below the top of the windshield or within a seven-inch square in the bottom corner of the windshield

Massachusetts

  • Drivers should place dash cams on the dashboard to avoid laws relating to non-transparent materials on the windshield and reflective materials in side windows

Michigan

  • Dash cams should be placed on the dashboard

  • There are windscreen exceptions for some vehicles, including large trucks (5 US tons), truck tractors, buses and hazardous waste vehicles

Minnesota

  • Dashboard cameras should be installed behind, or slightly above or below the rearview mirror 

Mississippi

  • Drivers should mount dash cams on the dashboard to avoid falling foul of windscreen regulations that do not specifically relate to dash cams

Missouri

  • Missouri is one of the few states whose laws do not mention obstructions to the driver’s view

  • Dash cams are legal to install in a position of the driver’s choice

  • To avoid obstructing the driver’s view, it is recommended that cameras are installed behind the rearview mirror or on the bottom or top of the windshield

Montana

  • Dash cams should be installed on dashboards to avoid breaking windshield obstruction laws

Nebraska

  • Dash cams should be installed on dashboards

  • Drivers must obtain permission from passengers before making audio recordings

Nevada

  • Drivers can install dash cams anywhere on the dashboard

  • If placed on the windshield, dash cams must be smaller than six-inches square and placed in the lower corner of the windshield furthest from the driver

New Hampshire

  • Drivers are allowed to install dash cams on the dashboard and use a rear camera

New Jersey

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard on the passenger’s side to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

New Mexico

  • Although dash cams are permitted, careful placement is recommended

  • The driver’s view must be clear, so it is against the law to attach anything opaque to the windshield

  • Dashboard mounting is recommended

New York

  • Dash cams are encouraged as they act as an impartial witness to help resolve traffic accidents and disputes

  • Dash cams should be installed on the dashboard and not on the windshield 

North Carolina

  • There is no mention of dashboard cameras or windshield obstruction in North Carolina’s motor vehicle laws

  • Dashboard mounted cameras are the least likely to impair the driver’s vision

North Dakota

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

Ohio

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations, and use it to record video and audio

Oklahoma

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

Oregon

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations, and use it to record video and audio

Pennsylvania

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen or other window obstruction violations

Rhode Island

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

South Carolina

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard as state law prohibits applying dash cams to the windscreen or any other vehicle windows

South Dakota

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard as state law prohibits applying dash cams to the windscreen or any other vehicle windows

  • It is legal to record video while driving and record audio of passengers with their permission or by giving notice

Tennessee

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

Texas

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen or other vehicle window obstruction violations

Utah

Drivers can mount dashboard cameras on the windshield as long as the dash cam is:

  • Towards the top of the windshield and does not extend down more than four inches,

  • In the lower left corner and does not extend out more than four inches

  • It is also legal for drivers to install cameras on rear windows of the vehicle

Vermont

  • Drivers to place dash cams in the lower right-hand windshield area as long as the device is less than four inches in height and 12 inches wide

  • If mounted in the upper left-hand corner of the windshield, the dash cam can be two inches high and two-and-a-half inches wide

Virginia

  • Dash cam laws prohibit a driver from placing a device on the windshield, but permits dash cams placed on the dashboard

Washington

  • Dash cams can be mounted on the dashboard to record audio and video while driving or parked

  • They cannot be mounted on the windshield owing to driver’s view obstruction regulations

West Virginia

  • Install a dash cam on the dashboard to avoid potential windscreen obstruction violations

Wisconsin

  • Drivers cannot mount a dash camera on the windshield unless it is mounted behind the rearview mirror

  • However, the law is ambiguous as mounting is prohibited within the normal sweep of the car’s windshield wipers

  • Mounting the dash cam to the dashboard is the best way to ensure compliance with Wisconsin laws

Wyoming

  • Dash cams to be mounted on the dashboard but not on the front windshield

Need guidance in navigating dash cam laws?

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Dash cams: surveillance, audio and privacy considerations

In some states, the use of dash cams could be considered to be the use of electronic surveillance devices, and you may risk violating local laws.

Under federal law, covert audio recordings using a dash cam without the consent of all parties may be illegal.

It is essential that you inform passengers that they are being recorded on video or audio when they get into your car, in order to stay within the law.

It is legal in most states to use a dash cam as a phone, as long as it does not obstruct the driver’s view. However, it is illegal in most cases to operate the phone while driving as it would be a violation of laws against distracted driving.

Can the police use your dash cam footage?

If dash cam footage contains evidence of a crime, traffic violation, or liability in an accident, the police can commandeer your footage to use for or against you, or for or against a third party.

Dash cam FAQs

Questions and answers about the legal aspects of using dash cams. Here's a summary of key points:

  1. Can you be prosecuted for using a dash cam?
    You cannot be prosecuted for having and using a dash cam. However, you can be prosecuted for disobeying state-specific laws related to dash cam use.

  2. Invasion of privacy
    Dash cams are not an invasion of privacy if used legally in public spaces. However, they could be considered invasive if used to capture private property or record conversations without consent.

  3. Should I declare dash cam in operation?
    It is advisable to inform people about the presence of dash cams, especially if recording audio. Compliance depends on state laws regarding audio recording consent.

  4. Can I delete dash cam footage?
    It is generally legal to delete footage of uneventful, legal driving. However, deleting footage related to incidents or crimes that may be needed in court could lead to legal consequences.

  5. Recording audio
    In all-party consent states, it is essential to inform passengers about audio recording and obtain consent. Options include using warning stickers, informing passengers, or disabling audio recording.

  6. Placement of dash cams
    Installing dash cams on dashboards where they do not obstruct the driver's view is generally safe and legal.

  7. Crossing state lines
    Drivers should be aware of and adhere to the laws of each state they operate in. Adhering to the most stringent laws across states can help avoid legal issues.

Understanding and complying with state-specific laws regarding dash cam use is crucial to avoid legal complications and ensure privacy rights are respected.

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