Dash cams are a great way to keep your car safe and record important times while you are driving. But did you know that where you put your dash cam is just as important as having one? Putting the camera in the right place is important for getting a good view, following the law and not getting distracted while driving.
You have come to the right place if you have been thinking "where to put my dash cam in the car" or "the best place to put a dash cam." Here's everything you need to know to put your dash cam in the best place!
Benefits of Proper Dash Cam Placement
Improve Video Quality
If you put your dash cam in the right place, it will record clear, unobstructed video. If you position your camera correctly, the edges of your window or dashboard accessories will not get in the way, giving you a better field of view.
Avoid Driver Distractions
If you install your dash cam in the right place, it will not get in the way or confuse you while you are driving. A camera that is not in the right place, especially one with wires hanging down, can make it hard to see the road or take your attention away from it. By picking the right spot, you make the road safer and avoid annoying things.
Stay Legal
There are different traffic rules and putting your dash cam in the wrong place can get you fines or legal problems. In some places, you can not put cameras where they might block the driver's view. Making sure your dash cam is in the right place will help you follow the rules and give you peace of mind while you are driving.
Better Field of View
The main job of your dash cam is to record as much of the road in front of (or behind) you as it can. If you place it correctly, its field of view will be at its fullest, with fewer blank spots in your recording. With coverage of everything around you, you will have a better record of any accidents that happen in front, behind or to the sides.
Easier Cable Management
If you do not put your dash cam in the right place, the wires will likely be all over your dashboard and car's interior. If you put it in the right place, you can route the wires in a neat and safe way which will make your car look better overall. Good cable management also makes your setup last longer and easy to keep up over time.
Prevent Sensor Interference
Sensors like rain monitors and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) are very important for modern cars to work right. Putting the dash cam in the wrong place can mess up these sensors and cause them to stop working. You can make sure that your dash cam does not interfere with other important car systems or features by putting it in the right place.
Factors to Consider When Placing Your Dash Cam
Field of View
Put your dash cam somewhere with a clear, wide field of view to get the best video of the road. You should not put it too close to the rearview mirror or the edges of the window. Near the top center of your window is the best place for the camera because it will give you the best view of the road ahead while staying out of your line of sight.
Legal Compliance
Before you install your dash cam, make sure you know the rules of the road in your area. It is against the law in some places to put dash cams where they block the driver's view. For example, U.S. laws often do not allow placement that gets in the way of the driver's view or the windshield wipers. Always check the rules for your area before placing the device.
Mount Type
Dash cams typically use adhesive or suction cup mounts.
| Dash Cam Mount Type | Advantages | Best Use Case |
| Adhesive Mount | Secure, minimal movement | Permanent setups |
| Suction Cup Mount | Adjustable, removable | Temporary or multi-car use |
Ease of Removal
Pick a spot for your dash cam that makes it easy to remove if you plan to use it in more than one car. Stay away from places that make removing hard, as this can be frustrating and take extra work. Placing your dash cam in the right place will make it easier to move and save you time.
Legal Placement of a Dash Cam
There are different rules in each country or area about where dash cams can legally be placed.
| Country | Placement Guidelines | Recommended Position |
| United States | While each state has its own rules, dash cams must not get in the way of the driver's view or make the vehicle less safe to operate. | Near the rearview mirror on the windshield. |
| United Kingdom | Placement must not get in the way of the driver's view; following the Highway Code is very important. | Behind the rearview mirror. |
| Canada | Provincial rules apply, generally requiring that the device should not obstruct visibility. | Mounted on the top center of the windshield. |
| Australia | Laws change from state to state, but devices must not get in the way of the driver's view or make driving less safe. | On the windshield, near the center. |
| Germany | Must follow local traffic rules; privacy must be taken into account when recording faces and license plates. | On the upper center of the windshield. |
Where to Place Your Dash Cam
Where to Place Dash Cam on Windshield
The back of the rearview mirror is the best spot for a dash cam. If you want to drive safely, this spot lets you see the road clearly without getting in the way. You should align it so that it takes balanced pictures and does not get in the way of any of your car's innovative safety features.
Where to Place Rear Dash Cam
Put your back window camera high up on the back windshield. This position gives you a clear view of the road behind you, without any headrests or other people in the way. Make sure it is properly installed and aligned so you can get clear footage of traffic behind you and improve the safety of your car.
Where to Place Dash Cam in Your Car
For cars with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), do not put the dash cam close to cameras or sensors. Put it in the middle of the back windshield for clear rear vision and the top center of the windshield to record forward.
Best Dash Cam Setup for Different Use Cases
For Personal Use
Put your dash cam in the upper middle part of your windshield to get clear videos on your daily journey. For extra safety, put a rear view camera in the middle of the rear window to see everything that is going on behind your car. This setting records everything you do while driving every day.
For Rideshare Drivers (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
Rideshare drivers should get dash cams with two lenses so they can record both inside and outside the car. Put the inside lens where you want to see the people in the back seats and the outside lens where you want to see the road ahead. This set-up makes sure that both the driver and the customers are safe and responsible during rides.
For Commercial Vehicles
It is safer and less risky when fleet cars have more than one camera. Front and rear dash cams should be included and side-view cameras might be a good idea to get a full view of the area around the car. Accidents and false claims can not happen to commercial cars with this set-up.
| Vehicle Type | Front Camera Placement | Rear Camera Placement |
| Personal Cars | Top-center windshield | Middle of the rear window |
| Rideshare Vehicles | Front-facing exterior & interior | Rear windshield |
| Commercial Fleet | Windshield + side-view cameras | Rear window |
Bonus Tip: How to Choose Dash Cams
Not sure which dash cam is best for your needs?
- Resolution: Go for at least 1080p for clear footage.
- Lens: Wide-angle lenses offer better road coverage.
- Night Vision: Vital for capturing details in low light.
- Storage Capacity: Look for options with expandable storage or cloud backup.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi-enabled dash cams allow you to view footage on your phone.
- Warranty: Trusted brands like Wolfbox offer excellent service and long-term warranties.
Make the Most of Your Wolfbox Dash Cam
Your dash cam will work best if you put it in the right place. If you mount it properly, the video will be clearer, you will follow the law and the driver will be less distracted. Your ride will be better and smarter with a little work.
Discover the top-rated dash cams from Wolfbox today. If you want the most reliable and peace of mind, you should upgrade your car camera system.
FAQs
- Where’s the best place to install my dash cam?
You should install it high on the windshield near the rearview mirror for the best view of the road while keeping the camera out of your line of sight.
- Can I mount a dash cam on my dashboard?
Yes, you can mount it on the dashboard, but make sure it doesn’t block airflow or obstruct your clear view of the road to ensure safe driving conditions.
- How can I hide my dash cam wires?
To keep your setup neat, tuck the wires into the headliner, side paneling or use adhesive clips along the interior edges of your car to manage and conceal them.
- Are dash cams legal in all countries?
Using and placing dash cams legally varies from country to country. Make sure that your dash cam follows the rules in your area about privacy and exposure to stay out of trouble with the law.
- Can WolfBox cameras record at night?
Yes, WolfBox dash cams are designed with advanced night vision and high-resolution recording capabilities, ensuring clear footage even in low-light or nighttime driving conditions.