Dash Cam Laws by State: What Every Driver Needs to Know in 2025

A dash cam protects you on the road, with video evidence for accidents or theft. But dash cam laws by state vary. You must understand these rules to avoid trouble and protect your rights. This guide helps you use your dash cam safely, wherever you drive.

Every state allows you to own and use a dash cam in your car. No law bans you from keeping this device with you. That said, each state also makes its own rules about how and where you can use your dash cam. This means you must know what is allowed with mounting, audio recording and protecting privacy in the state where you are driving.

Learning the dash cam laws by state gives you peace of mind and also helps you use any video for legal reasons if you need to. Always look into local laws before you set up your dash cam or head out on a road trip.

When you cross state lines, you face new rules. What you do with your dash cam in your home state may not be legal in the next one. Because laws change place to place, using the right rules for your trip matters. You will find a full list of dash cam laws by state below, so you can see what you must follow wherever you are.

Alabama: You can put your dash cam on the windshield as long as it does not block your view. Audio recording is legal if at least one person involved agrees.

Alaska: As long as your dash cam does not block the driver's line of sight, you are fine. Alaska allows one person involved to give permission for audio recording.

Arizona: You can place your dash cam within a 5-inch square on the passenger side or a 7-inch square at the bottom of the driver's side. Audio can be recorded if you are part of the conversation.

Arkansas: Your dash cam must not block what you see out your window. Audio recording is allowed if one person consents.

California: You need to use a 7-inch square at the bottom of the passenger side or a 5-inch square at the bottom of the driver's side. You must get permission from all people being recorded for audio.

Colorado: Do not put your dash cam somewhere that blocks your line of sight. You can record audio if you are part of the conversation.

Connecticut: As long as your camera does not block your sight, it is legal to mount it there. For recording audio, you need the ok from everyone in the conversation.

Delaware: You may put a dash cam on the windshield if it does not block your view. You need all people involved to agree before recording audio.

Florida: It is fine to use a dash cam if it does not block your view. All parties need to agree before recording audio.

Georgia: Don't let your camera block your view. You can legally record audio if you are part of the conversation.

Hawaii: Mounting is allowed if you use the passenger's side bottom corner. Audio can be recorded if you are part of the conversation.

Idaho: Put your dash cam where it does not block what you see. You only need permission from one person for recording audio.

Illinois: Mounting is fine if you do not block your line of sight. You need everyone's ok to record audio.

Indiana: Don't put your dash cam where the wipers sweep. You need one-person permission for audio.

Iowa: Stay outside the swept area of the wipers and avoid blocking your view. You can record audio with your own consent.

Kansas: The law says you cannot block your sight with your camera. It's fine to record audio if you are involved.

Kentucky: Make sure nothing blocks your sight out the window. You need one party's agreement for audio.

Louisiana: Your dash cam should be outside the path of the wipers. You only need permission from one person to record audio.

Maine: Don't block your sight with your dash cam. You can record audio as long as you are part of the conversation.

Maryland: Use a 5-inch square on the lower passenger side or a 7-inch square on the lower driver side. You must get everyone's ok for recording audio.

Massachusetts: Windshield mounting is not allowed, but you can use the dashboard. You need all parties to agree for audio recording.

Michigan: Your dash cam must not block what you see. One person's consent is enough for recording audio.

Minnesota: You can place the camera in the bottom-most corner. You may record audio if you are a part of the conversation.

Mississippi: No objects should block your view on the windshield. Use the dashboard. You only need one person's ok for recording audio.

Missouri: Don't let your dash cam block your sight. You can record audio if you are part of the talk.

Montana: The device must be in a 4-inch by 6-inch square in a lower corner. You must have everyone's agreement before recording audio.

Nebraska: Don't block your view with your camera. Only one party needs to know about audio recording.

Nevada: Mounting is legal as long as the dash cam does not block your view. Two-party consent is best for audio, with some exceptions.

New Hampshire: Your dash cam must not block your sight. You need every person's ok for audio recording.

New Jersey: Nothing should block your windshield view—try mounting on the dashboard. You need one party's consent for audio.

New Mexico: Don't block your view. Audio can be recorded by one party.

New York: Use a 7-inch square in a lower corner. You can record audio if you are part of the conversation.

North Carolina: Nothing should block your view. You only need your own consent for audio.

North Dakota: Mount the camera outside the area cleared by the wipers. One-party audio consent is needed.

Ohio: You may place the camera outside the area swept by the wipers. One person's consent is enough for audio.

Oklahoma: The device cannot block your view. You need only one person's ok for recording audio.

Oregon: Your camera can be on the windshield but never let it block your view. Two-party audio consent laws apply.

Pennsylvania: No mounting on the windshield. Use your dashboard. You need everyone's consent to record audio.

Rhode Island: Keep your view clear. You may record audio as long as you agree.

South Carolina: Cameras must not block your sight. One-party consent is enough for audio.

South Dakota: No windshield mounting that blocks sight is allowed. Dashboard use is fine. You can record audio with your own consent.

Tennessee: Keep your view clear while driving. One-party audio consent applies.

Texas: You must use a 5-inch square at the bottom of the passenger side for mounting. Recording audio is allowed if you agree to it.

Utah: Place your dash cam behind the rearview mirror. You may record audio with one person's permission.

Vermont: Mount on a 4-inch by 12-inch spot in the bottom passenger side. You only need your own consent for audio.

Virginia: Your dash cam must not block your sight. Only one party must agree for audio recording.

Washington: Use a 4-inch by 12-inch area in the bottom passenger side. All parties must agree to being recorded for audio.

Washington D.C.: Don't block your view. One-party audio consent is okay. West Virginia: Your dash cam must never block your sight. You can record audio with your own agreement.

Wisconsin: Mount behind the rearview mirror but not where it blocks your view. Audio recording follows one-party consent.

Wyoming: Don't block your view with the camera. One-person audio consent works.

Breaking the dash cam laws by state brings real problems. You could get tickets, lose the chance to use your video as proof or face court action. Knowing what might go wrong helps you avoid these problems. If you want your dash cam to truly help you, always follow your state's laws.

Be careful where you put your dash cam. States can fine you if it blocks your view through the windshield. Placing your camera in the wrong spot could lead to a ticket and you might even get points on your driving license.

Your dash cam video can be useful evidence. But if you break the law, a judge might not let you use it. This is especially true for audio recordings. Without the right consent, the court may reject your footage as valid proof.

Recording audio without permission can get you into serious trouble. In some states, you need everyone's consent to record conversations. If you don't, you could face a lawsuit for invading someone's privacy or even face criminal charges. It's important.

You want your dash cam to help you, not bring problems. Some best practices work for every state. These habits keep you safe, legal and ready for whatever might come up.

Before you attach your dash cam, check the rules for your area. Find out where you are allowed to install the device such as behind your mirror or a certain corner, so you do not get a ticket or have your view blocked. For drivers who want to learn more about the best mounting positions, see our detailed guide on where to put dash cam.

Know if you need only your permission or if others must agree to being recorded. To follow the law, you can either turn the sound off on your Redtiger dash cam or tell people in your car about the audio recording.

Laws about dash cams can change. You should read the updated rules often, especially if you drive across state lines. Checking for new dash cam laws by state is a simple way to stay safe and legal.

Look for features that help you follow the rules. Redtiger dash cams make it easy to switch audio on or off and are small enough to keep your windshield clear. Some models add GPS features too.

Your dash cam makes you safer on the road. Every state allows use, but rules change by location. You must know your local dash cam laws by state. This includes where to place it, if you record audio and how to protect others' privacy. Use your Redtiger dash cam wisely to avoid trouble.

1. Where are you allowed to put a dash cam?

Dash cam placement rules vary by state. Many places allow windshield mounting if it doesn't block your view. Check your local dash cam laws by state to find the right spot, as some areas have specific rules for device placement.

2. Do I need consent to record audio in my car?

This depends on your state. Some states let you record if you are part of the chat, while others need everyone's OK. To be safe, consider turning off audio or asking passengers for permission first.

3. How can I stay updated on dash cam laws?

Laws can change, so you should regularly check your state's rules. Look online for "dash cam laws by state" on official government sites. If you travel to new states, always review their specific regulations before driving there.