Map Options
A dashboard camera, or dash cam, can be a helpful instrument to mount onto your car, and more and more drivers are choosing to use them. A dash cam is not the same as the video screen that may monitor what is behind your car when you are driving in reverse. It records what is going on in traffic in front of you and behind you. In case you get into an accident, a dash cam will have recorded what happened so that police and insurance companies will not have to rely on the testimony of witnesses or the pattern of damage to the vehicle. Dash cams have also recorded episodes of police violence in which the person being assaulted by the police was inside the car.
Different states have different laws concerning the use of dash cams. Some of those laws involve privacy, while others include obstructions on the windshield.
Safe driving requires a clear view out the windshield, and a dash came is usually mounted onto the windshield with suction cups. Generally speaking, if the dash cam takes up more than five inches on the driver’s side or seven inches on the passenger’s side, it is considered an obstruction. That could lead to you getting a ticket (or worse, getting into an accident). Check with your state’s specific laws regarding the dimensions of a dash cam if it is positioned on the windshield, or better yet, look for a dash cam that can be mounted onto the dashboard.
Privacy is a big issue, and dash cams record people without their permission. A license plate that comes up on a dash cam is recorded so that the person driving that car can be traced to a particular location, without his or her permission. Dash cams also record conversations that happen inside the vehicle, something that is illegal unless all of the people in the car are aware that they are being recorded. Due to privacy concerns, dash cams are unlawful in some countries. Many states have laws regulating the privacy issue concerning dash cams, so make sure that before getting one (or if you already have a dash cam), you know what your state’s laws are.
Dash cams can be handy, but not if using one lands you in legal trouble. Know what your state’s laws are so that you can save yourself much trouble later.
State | Dash Cam Legality | Notes |
---|---|---|
Alaska | Yes | As long as they do not obstruct the driver's view |
Arizona | Yes | But no person shall operate a motor vehicle with an object or material...affixed or applied on the w... |
Arkansas | Yes | But it's illegal to cover your windshield with anything that isn't transparent |
California | Yes | But you must follow regulations that limit the amount of space they take up to five square inches wh... |
Colorado | Yes | But it's illegal to mount a dash camera in a location that may impair your driver's field of vision. |
Connecticut | Yes | |
Hawaii | Yes | |
Illinois | Yes | But there are specific laws to follow. Dash cams must be installed on the left side of the vehicle's... |
Indiana | Yes | But they must be installed in the bottom corner of the passenger side windshield and they cannot be ... |
Louisiana | Yes | But it is illegal to operate a vehicle if something is obstructing the driver's "clear view" through... |
Maryland | Yes | But there are specific laws to follow. Dash cams must be mounted above the AS-1 line of a vehicle's ... |
Massachusetts | Yes | |
Michigan | Yes | But it is illegal to mount them on windshields because they can obstruct the driver's view of the ro... |
Minnesota | Yes | But the device can only be installed directly behind, slightly above, or slightly below rearview mir... |
Missouri | Yes | |
Montana | Yes | But windshields must be completely clear. If your dash cameras are recording audio, make sure everyo... |
Nebraska | Yes | But you can't put them directly on the windshield because that would impair the driver's ability to ... |
Nevada | Yes | But only if they are mounted in either the bottom passenger-side corner of the windshield, or anywhe... |
New Hampshire | Yes | But there are a few rules to be aware of. Installing dash cams on the front windshields of your car ... |
New Jersey | Yes | But any non-transparent object mounted on the windshield or the driver or passenger side window is p... |
New York | Yes | But it is illegal to obstruct your drivers' windshields, we recommend mounting your dash cams on das... |
North Carolina | Yes | |
North Dakota | Yes | As long as they are installed in a secure location |
Ohio | Yes | But mounting them on your drivers' windshields is prohibited. Installing them in the car should only... |
Oklahoma | Yes | As long as they are not mounted on the driver's windshield |
Oregon | Yes | But there are a few guidelines to follow. Installing dash cams on windshields or windows is illegal ... |
Pennsylvania | Yes | But are permitted for business use and there are regulations that you should be aware of. Stick to m... |
Rhode Island | Yes | But it's against the law to place them there because nothing should block the driver's view. |
South Carolina | Yes | But they must be mounted on the dashboard rather than the windshield or window of your drivers' vehi... |
South Dakota | Yes | But there are some rules to follow. It's against the law to install dash cams on your drivers' front... |
Tennessee | Yes | But you should not install them on your drivers' windshield. |
Texas | Yes | But It's illegal in Texas to drive a vehicle with "an object or material placed on or attached to th... |
Utah | Yes | |
Vermont | Yes | As long as they're no bigger than four inches tall and 12 inches long, you can place them on the bot... |
Virginia | Yes | But mounting them on your drivers' front windshields or rear windows is not. Instead, mount them on ... |
Washington | Yes | But there are a couple of laws to be aware of. It's against the law to mount dash cams on your drive... |
West Virginia | Yes | It is against the law to affix anything obscure to your car's front windshield, including dash camer... |
Wisconsin | Yes | But you must be careful where you place them. Attach them behind the rearview mirror, mounting them ... |
Wyoming | Yes | As long as they don't block your drivers' vision through their windshields |
Alabama | No Prohibition | But suction dash cams are prohibited to install in Alabama because it is illegal to place anything o... |
Delaware | No Prohibition | But no person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway with any sign, poster, or other non-transparent... |
Florida | No Prohibition | But it's illegal to drive a vehicle with something obstructing your view of the road. A safe place i... |
Georgia | No Prohibition | |
Idaho | No Prohibition | But it's against the law to cover your windshield with non-transparent materials. In this state, das... |
Iowa | No Prohibition | But driving a vehicle without "clear vision" through the windshield, side wings, or side or rear win... |
Kansas | No Prohibition | But it's against the law to "significantly obstruct" your windshield with non-transparent objects li... |
Kentucky | No Prohibition | As long as they do not obstruct your drivers' vision through the windshield. |
Maine | No Prohibition | But it is illegal to position a dash cam in such a way that it obstructs the "clear view" through a ... |
Mississippi | No Prohibition | But they must not obstruct the driver's view through the windshield and should not be mounted on the... |
New Mexico | No Prohibition | But it must not obstruct the driver's view |