Dash cams: the UK guide

A dash cam is a small camera that records the road while you drive. If someone crashes into you, cuts you up or claims the accident was your fault, the footage shows what really happened. Here's what the law says, how to fit one properly, and how to use the footage.

Checked on 17 October 2026 against GOV.UK (phone and device law, the MOT inspection manual), the RAC and the National Dash Cam Safety Portal.

Are dash cams legal in the UK?

Yes. The RAC confirms dash cams are legal to install throughout the UK. There are a few rules to follow, though.

Don't block your view

Mount it so it doesn't block your view of the road. In the MOT, an obstruction that significantly affects the driver's view of the road through the area the wipers sweep is a major fault, which is a fail. Run the power cable neatly around the edge of the windscreen so no wires hang in your view.

Don't touch it while driving

GOV.UK says it's illegal to hold and use any device that can send or receive data while driving, and that covers Wi-Fi and app-connected dash cams. Set it up before you set off, and only handle it when you're safely parked. Holding and using a device can mean 6 points and a £200 fine.

Tell your passengers

The RAC advises telling passengers that a dash cam is recording, which matters most if you're a taxi or private hire driver or a driving instructor. If you record in public places you may also have obligations under data protection law, so be careful about posting footage of other people online.

Will a dash cam lower my insurance?

It depends on your insurer. The RAC says a dash cam won't give you more control over your premium in the way a black box policy does, so check with your own provider. Where a dash cam really helps is after an accident that wasn't your fault: footage showing what the other driver did can support your claim.

How to send dash cam footage to the police

If you capture dangerous or careless driving, you can upload it free to the National Dash Cam Safety Portal. You choose the police force for the area where it happened, and the footage and your witness statement go straight to that force. The portal is run free by a dash cam maker, which says it has no access to the videos. Many forces also have their own online form, often called Operation Snap. Save the clip as soon as you can, because most dash cams record in a loop and will overwrite old footage.

Which dash cam do you need?

  • Front only: the most common type, recording the road ahead.
  • Front and rear: adds a rear camera for rear-end shunts and anything behind you.
  • Cabin (3-lens): also records inside the car. Useful for taxi, private hire and delivery drivers.
  • Parking mode: records bumps and movement while you're parked. The RAC says this needs the camera hardwired to the car's fuse box and recommends a professional fit.

What to look for:

  • Clear video that can read number plates, day and night
  • A G-sensor, which locks footage when it detects an impact
  • GPS, which records your speed and location with the video
  • Wi-Fi or an app so you can save clips to your phone (when parked)
  • A good-quality memory card. Cards built for constant re-recording last longer.

Shop dash cams

See all dash cams.

Keep your car road-legal

A dash cam protects you on the road; an MOT keeps you on it. Run a free MOT history check on CheckMOT and set a free MOT reminder.

FAQs

Is it legal to have a dash cam in the UK?

Yes. Dash cams are legal throughout the UK, but they must not block your view of the road, and you must not hold and use a connected one while driving.

Where should I put my dash cam?

Somewhere it doesn't block your view of the road, with the cable run neatly around the edge of the windscreen. An obstruction that significantly affects your view through the wiper area is an MOT fail.

Do I have to tell my insurer I have a dash cam?

Check your own policy or ask your insurer, as policies differ. Footage can help you prove an accident wasn't your fault.

How do I report bad driving with dash cam footage?

Upload it free to the National Dash Cam Safety Portal and choose the police force for the area where it happened, or use your local force's own online form. Save the clip quickly, before the camera records over it.

Does a dash cam work when the car is parked?

Only if it has a parking mode and is hardwired to the car's fuse box, so it has power with the engine off. The RAC recommends getting it professionally fitted.

Sources

Checked 17 October 2026:

This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check the official sources linked above.