Dash cams are legal and widely used in Texas, but there are specific regulations and best practices you must follow to ensure compliance with the law and avoid penalties.
Legality and General Use
- Dash cams are legal in Texas for recording both the road and the inside of your vehicle. There are no state laws specifically prohibiting or requiring dash cams for private vehicles.
- Employers may also install dash cams in company vehicles, provided they comply with safety and privacy laws.
Mounting and Placement Requirements
- Obstruction of View: Texas Transportation Code 547.613 prohibits placing any object or material on the windshield, side windows, or rear window that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view.
- Dash cams cannot be mounted on the windshield or in a way that blocks your vision through any window.
- The recommended placement is on the dashboard, ideally in the lower corner on the passenger side, where it does not impede your view or interfere with airbag deployment.
- Airbag Safety:Â Do not attach a dash cam where it could obstruct or be hit by an airbag, as this is both illegal and dangerous.
Audio Recording Laws
- One-Party Consent:Â Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recordings. This means you can legally record conversations if you are a participant. If you are not present (for example, leaving your car with a mechanic), recording audio may be illegal.
- Inform Passengers:Â While not strictly required, it is best practice to inform passengers that audio and video may be recorded inside your vehicle.
Screen Use and Distracted Driving
- Screens: Any dash cam screen must not be in the driver’s line of sight while driving. Watching dash cam footage or interacting with the device while driving can result in distracted driving citations.
- Distraction:Â Ensure your dash cam does not distract you from operating the vehicle safely.
Recording Police and Public Spaces
- Recording Police:Â You are allowed to record police activity from your dash cam as long as you do not interfere with law enforcement duties. Police cannot force you to show or delete footage without a warrant, but footage may be subpoenaed as evidence.
Privacy and Federal Property
- Federal Property:Â Special rules may apply on federal property, such as border crossings, where permission may be required to record.
Legal Benefits
- Evidence in Accidents:Â Dash cam footage is admissible in Texas courts if obtained legally, and it can be valuable in accident investigations, insurance claims, and hit-and-run cases.
- Dash cams are legal in Texas but must not be mounted on the windshield or anywhere that obstructs your view or interferes with airbags.
- Texas is a one-party consent state for audio recording, but always inform passengers for transparency.
- Do not watch or interact with the dash cam screen while driving.
- Recording police is allowed, but do not interfere with their duties.
- On federal property, additional restrictions may apply.
By following these guidelines, you can safely and legally use a dash cam in Texas to protect yourself and document your driving experience.
Sources
- https://www.ddpai.com/blog/dash-cam-laws/
- https://injuryattorneyoftexas.com/texas-dashboard-camera-laws/
- https://www.simonpaschal.com/2023/09/12/use-of-dash-cams-in-work-vehicles-and-the-nlra/
- https://matrackinc.com/dash-cam-laws-by-states/
- https://walkertexaslawyer.com/dash-cams/