Dash cams are legal in California, but there are specific regulations drivers must follow regarding their placement, recording practices, and privacy considerations.
First, California law allows dash cams to be mounted on the windshield, but only in certain locations and within strict size limits.
You may place your dash cam in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest from the driver (the passenger side), a five-inch square in the lower corner nearest the driver, or a five-inch square at the upper center portion of the windshield.
The device must not obstruct your view of the road or interfere with airbag deployment. Improper placement can result in a citation.
When it comes to recording, dash cams in California are generally permitted to record video. However, there are time restrictions: dash cams may only record 30 seconds before and after a triggering event, such as a collision or sudden stop.
This means continuous recording outside of these parameters may not be compliant with state law.
Privacy laws are especially important in California, which is a two-party consent state for audio recording. If your dash cam records audio, you must inform all passengers that their conversations may be recorded and obtain their consent.
For commercial vehicles and rideshare drivers, a visible notice should be placed in the car to inform occupants of audio recording. Failing to get consent can result in privacy violation penalties.
Dash cam footage is admissible in California courts if it is relevant to the case and obtained legally. Police may seize dash cam footage at an accident scene if they believe it could be destroyed or is important evidence. The footage belongs to the vehicle’s registered owner, who controls access to it.
In summary, dash cams are legal in California as long as you follow rules about where and how they are mounted, limit recording to the allowed time frames, and respect privacy laws by obtaining consent for audio recording.
Proper compliance ensures your dash cam footage can be used as evidence and helps you avoid legal trouble.
Sources
- https://facit.ai/insights/dash-cam-laws-by-state
- https://www.injury-attorneys.com/sacramento-car-accident-lawyers/california-dash-cam-laws/
- https://personalinjurylawcal.com/blog/california-dash-cam-laws/
- https://www.napolinlaw.com/the-admissibility-of-dash-cam-footage-in-california/
- https://www.shirvanianlawfirm.com/auto-accident/dash-cams-work-california-car-accident-claims/