Dash Cam Laws by State: Are Dash Cams Legal for You?

With a significant increase in dash cams installed, there’s a growing curiosity about the dash cam laws that govern their use. Dashboard cameras have transitioned from a luxury item to an everyday part of the modern driving experience. They offer an added layer of protection and evidence in case of accident disputes.

Are Dash Cams Legal in the US?

Yes, it’s legal to use dash cameras in the US – but there are different rules for each state. Legality can vary depending on the specifics of the motor vehicle in question, local regulations, and where the dashboard camera is place.

The most important is the physical placement of your device, aka where you have your dash cam installed. Most state laws say dash cams can’t obstruct the driver’s view, but some jurisdictions have specific dimensions (square inches) that mounts can’t exceed or different legality on dash cams recording audio.

Dash Camera Legality in Every US State

Alabama

Dash cams are legal in Alabama. Mount dash cams on the dashboard or rear window though, because windshield mounting isn’t legal under Alabama Obstructed View laws. Also, residence need to always inform passengers if their dash camera is audio recording.

Alaska

Alaska allows dash cams but has specific regulations about the device’s size and position. Mount dash cams within a seven inch square on the lower corner of the passenger’s side windshield or five square inches on the driver’s side.

Arizona

Dash cams are legal in Arizona. They need to be mounted on the dashboard or the lower passenger side corner of the front windshield to avoid driver’s view obstruction.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, dash cams are legal and if positioned on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror. Placement on the windshield is illegal in Arkansas as it can obstruct the driver’s vision. However, it’s legal to have dash cams placed on the rear window.

California Dash Cam Laws

California allows dash cams on windshields, but there’s local law enforcement requirements. Dash cams can’t exceed a five inch square on the driver’s side, or a seven inch square on the passengers. Dash cams need to be installed in the top or bottom corners of the windshield.

Colorado

Dash cams are legal in Colorado, but be mindful of the placement. They need to be placed on the dashboard or behind rearview mirrors following the Colorado Obstructed Views laws.

Connecticut

Connecticut permits dash cams, but they must not block the driver’s view. Avoid windshield installation. Dashboard or rearview mirror mounting is recommended.

Delaware

In Delaware, dash cams are legal, and the advised placement is on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror to avoid windshield obstruction.

Florida Dash Cam Laws

Florida permits dash cameras but prohibits them from being mounted on the windshield where they can obstruct the driver’s vision. Place them on the passenger side dashboard or behind the rear view mirror.

Georgia Dash Cam Laws

Dash cams are legal in Georgia, but they shouldn’t hinder the driver’s view. Georgia dashboard cameras are placed on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Hawaii

Hawaii permits dash cams but discourages windshield mounting as it may obstruct the driver’s view. Consider dashboard or rear windows placement.

Idaho

Idaho allows dash cameras, but it’s important to keep the driver’s view clear. Hence, the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror is a suitable position for them.

Illinois

Illinois permits dash cameras with specific guidelines. Dash cams should be installed on the dashboard’s left side, taking up no more than five square inches of the windshield. It’s necessary to get consent from passengers for audio recording. Filming police activities in public can result in severe penalties.

Related Article: How to Request Police Dash Cam Footage

Indiana

Indiana dash cams are required to be installed in the lower right corner of the passenger side window and not exceed four square inches.

Iowa

Dash cams are legal in Iowa, but there are restrictions regarding their placement. The law requires a clear vision through the windshield and windows. So, the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror is the best place for them.

Kansas

In Kansas, dash cameras are allowed, but they should not substantially obstruct the driver’s view. They should ideally be installed on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Kentucky

Kentucky permits dash cams as long as they don’t interfere with the driver’s vision through the front windshield. The suggested location for them is the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Louisiana

Louisiana allows dash cams but prohibits anything that obstructs the driver’s clear view through the windshield. Consider placing them on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Maine

Maine permits the use of dashboard cameras. However, they should not obstruct the clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows. Installing them on dashboards or behind rear view mirrors is generally a good practice.

Maryland

In Maryland, dash cams are legal as long as they’re installed on the bottom corner of the dashboard or behind rearview mirrors to keep the windshield clear.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts allows dash cameras as long as they are mounted properly. The state forbids any objects on the windshield that may obstruct the driver’s view. Dash cams should ideally be installed on the dashboard.

Michigan

Michigan allows dash cameras. However, they must not obstruct the clear vision of the driver through the windshield and other windows. The recommended placement is on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Minnesota

Dash cams are allowed in Minnesota as long as they are safely installed. It’s illegal to place dash cams on the windshield or side windows. They should be mounted on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror.

Mississippi

Mississippi permits dash cameras. The recommended placement is on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror, as installing them on the windshield can obstruct the driver’s view.

Missouri

In Missouri, dash cams are legal but they have strict laws on installing dash cams. Mounting dash cams in Missouri cannot block any part of the drivers vision on the windshield or other windows. Consider placing them on the dashboard or behind rearview mirrors.

Montana

Montana allows dash cameras only if they’re mounted on the dashboard or behind rearview mirrors, out of the way of a drivers view.

Nebraska

Dash cams are legal in Nebraska as long as they’re not mounted on side or rear windows, or the front windshield. Placing them on the dashboard is what we recommend in Nebraska.

Nevada

In Nevada, dash cams are legal if placed on the dashboard or in the lower passenger-side corner of the windshield. They key in Nevada is make sure everyone in the vehicle can see out the front windshield.

New Hampshire

Dash cams are legal in New Hampshire under certain guidelines. They cannot be installed on the front windshield but may be mounted on the dashboard. If your dash cam can record audio, make sure to get everyone’s consent before recording their voices.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, dash cams are allowed. However, they must be properly installed on the dashboard or near the passenger-side windshield, as mounting any non-transparent object on the windshield or side glass is prohibited.

New Mexico

Dash cams are legal in New Mexico as long a few rules are followed. They need to be installed without obstructing the driver’s vision. Mounting dash cams on the dashboard is recommended to avoid regulation violations.

New York

New York encourages the use of dash cams. The New York bill A5132 even offers a 5% reduction in car insurance premiums for non-commercial passenger vehicles equipped with operational dash cams. The cameras should be properly installed, ideally on the dashboard, as windshield obstruction is prohibited.

North Carolina

Dash cams are legal in North Carolina and there aren’t any specific restrictions. In fact, North Carolina is one of the few states to have zero written laws on dash cam placement.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, dash cams are legal if safely installed. Dash cam placement needs to be on the dashboard though, not the windshield, in order to comply with North Dakota’s clear windshield regulations.

Ohio

Dash cams are legal in Ohio, and they should be installed on the dashboard. Ohio permits video and audio recording inside your vehicle as long as you ensure the dash cam does not obstruct any part of the windshield.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, it’s legal to use dash cams, but they cannot be installed on the driver’s windshield. It’s recommended to install them on the dashboard without obscuring the windshield.

Oregon

Oregon permits dash cameras but forbids them on windshields, as well as on side or rear windows, as this may prevent clear visibility in or out of the vehicle. If your dash cam records audio, be sure to obtain consent from all passengers prior to recording their conversations.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, dash cams are legal for commercial use, with certain guidelines. It’s against the law to place dash cams on drivers’ windshields or windows, so they should be mounted on dashboards. Also, if your dash cams can record audio, it’s necessary to obtain permission from all occupants of the vehicle before recording.

Rhode Island

Dash cams are legal in Rhode Island, provided they don’t block the drivers vision. The best option in Rhode Island is to mount your dash cams on the dashboard.

South Carolina

South Carolina allows dash cams, but they should be positioned on the dashboard and not on the windshield or windows. The law requires that drivers should be able to see through any window without straining.

South Dakota

Dash cameras are legal in South Dakota as long as it isn’t mounted on a vehicles front windshield or side windows. If dash cams record audio, consent from all passengers is required at the beginning of the dash cam footage.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, dash cams are allowed, but they should not be placed on the windshield. For safer driving, consider installing them on the dashboard of your vehicles.

Texas Dash Cam Laws

In Texas, dash cams are 100% legal under the assumption it doesn’t block any part of front windshield view. Mounting dash cams on the dashboard is allowed as long as it doesn’t interfere with the deployment of a cars airbags.

Utah

Utah is one of the most flexible for dash cam laws. Dash cams on windshields are allowed in Utah, as long as they don’t take up more than four inches. Utah drivers should make sure to install their dash cam lower than four inches from the top of the windshield. Dash cams can also be placed on the dashboard or back windows.

Vermont

Vermont allows dash cameras on the windshield if they’re appropriately placed. Vermont drivers can install their dash cam in the bottom passenger side corner of the windshield as long as the mount isn’t more than four inches tall or twelve inches long. They also have the option to install a dash cam in the top driver-side corner of the windshield, if the mount is no more than two by two inches.

Virginia

Dash cams are legal in Virginia. However, it’s illegal to have a dash cam mounted on the front windshields & rear windows. Instead, mount dash cams on the dashboard, making sure to avoid blocking the driver’s road view.

Washington

Dash cams are legal in Washington with certain rules. Don’t mount dash cams on your windshield as it can obstruct the driver’s view. If your dash cam records audio, obtaining consent from all passengers is required if you want to use the footage in court.

West Virginia

Dash cams are legal in West Virginia, but the dash cam placement cannot obstruct the driver’s view through the windshield. The best placement for dash cams in this state is on the dashboard of your vehicles.

Wisconsin

Dash cams are legal in Wisconsin but should be positioned behind rearview mirrors. To be on the safe side, install dash cams on the dashboard of your vehicles.

Wyoming

In Wyoming, dash cams are legal as long as they don’t block the driver’s windshield visibility. Instead of mounting your dash cam on the windshield, install it on the dashboard.

Why Can Dash Cams Record Audio in Some States and Not Others?

If you’re carpooling with a group of friends, engaging in fun banter and sharing personal stories with the dash cam record audio function switched on, all their conversations are being captured. The issue of recording audio revolves around audio consent laws, because it’s a breach of privacy in some states.

This is why some states have laws against dash cams recording audio without all passengers’ consent. After all, your car isn’t a reality TV show, and not everyone may be comfortable with their conversations being recorded.

This explains why it’s legal for dash cams to record audio in some states and not others. It all comes down to privacy laws and consent because your dash cam footage can be used help settle insurance disputes.

Let’s not forget about dash cam screens. In some states, it’s considered a distraction & illegal to use dash cams with screens while driving.

Summary

Dash cams serve a role in providing a record of events on the road. Ensuring your dash cam doesn’t obstruct your view & respecting audio recording laws are both important. Depending on the state you live in, consider what we mentioned in this article before mounting your dash cam.

Remember, the goal of owning a dash cam isn’t to get the next viral video or to eavesdrop on your passengers. It’s about accountable road safety.

Stay informed about legal implications by using your dash cams responsibly. Be aware of the laws in your state, especially regarding placement and size in square inches.

New to Dash Cams? Here’s how to know if your dash cam is recording or not, they symbolize an important intersection between technology, safety, and law. Considerations should be taken into account regarding dash cam placement because while each state has slight law variation, the common theme remains – dash cams should respect safety & personal privacy.