Dash cameras are gaining popularity thanks to their excellent and irreplaceable benefits and advantages. But, if you are new to this trend and unsure of the laws about dash cameras, worry not. So, what states prohibit dash cameras?
In this article, you can take an in-depth look at every legal information you must know regarding dash cameras and different states. Knowing all that information allows you to utilize your dash cam according to state regulations and avoid legal trouble.
Moreover, as these laws tend to differ, you can read what laws apply in what states individually.
What States Prohibit Dash Cameras?
When it comes to the topic of the legality of dash cameras, there is much more complexity compared to any other laws.
Namely, as each state in the United States has a different law regarding dash cameras, you must first research the laws before traveling there with your dash cam mounted on your windshield.
Additionally, what makes things even more difficult is that some states do not have clear regulations on whether dash cameras are legal, so you must handle that problem extremely carefully to stay out of trouble.
So, what states prohibit dash cameras? Regarding the prohibition of dash cameras, the following states are more strict regarding obstructions on your windshield: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, and Nebraska.
Also, among the states are New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Ohio.
Other states, such as Arizona, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin, have put minor restrictions when installing a dash cam on your windshield.
Read more: Does Police Want Dashcam Footage?
State Laws in More Strict States
As we can not go through each state’s laws individually, I have included and researched several most authoritarian states.
Alabama
Alabama has one of the strictest rules, meaning you can not have anything installed on your vehicle’s windshield if you go there.
However, if your dashcam is placed on the dashboard and as long as it does not obstruct your view, having a dash cam is considered legal.
Arkansas
Regarding dash camera laws in Arkansas, they are only legal when placed behind the rearview mirror. Anywhere else, they are considered illegal, especially if they in any way obstruct the driver’s view.
Connecticut
The law in Connecticut says that it is prohibited to place any non-transparent materials on the windshield.
So, although there is nothing specific regarding dash cams, you can mount the dash cam on the dashboard out of sight just to be safe.
Delaware
According to the Delaware state law, “(a) No person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings or side or rear window of such motor vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law.” So, here as well, you should mount the dash cam on the dashboard.
Georgia
The state law in Georgia is similar to the one in Delaware, meaning you will have to install your dash cam on the dashboard.
Additionally, a strict law here says that drivers are not allowed to record any video or audio without the permission of every person in that vehicle.
Louisiana
Louisiana is another state where the law does not explicitly mention dash cam, but it says, “no person may operate a motor vehicle with any object; affixed to the front windshield; so as to obstruct or reduce the driver’s clear view through the front windshield.”
Therefore, you might wish to mount the dashcam on your dashboard rather than your windshield while you’re here.
Montana
In Montana, it is specifically prohibited to have any transparent or non-transparent objects that can obstruct, impair, or obscure the driver’s clear view. Therefore, you will have to install your dashcam on the dashboard.
Nebraska
Here, the drivers are not allowed to install dash cameras directly on their windshields. This means that you can strategically place the dash cam on your dashboard.
Additionally, you will have to obtain permission from other passengers in the vehicle if you want to record any video or audio.
Also read: Why Does Everyone in Russia Have a Dash Cam?
Conclusion
So, what states prohibit dash cameras? Well, as I said, each state has different laws about them, so it is best to always research and check to be sure about the country’s laws.