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Is a Windscreen-Mounted Dashcam Legal in the UK?

Conditional

A windscreen-mounted dashcam is legal in the UK as long as it is out of the driver's line of sight. Placed behind the mirror it is fine; stuck in the middle of the screen it can fail the MOT.

Why?

The law requires that a driver has a full view of the road, and the MOT enforces it through the windscreen "zones". In the critical vision area - the band swept by the wipers directly in front of the driver - any obstruction bigger than 10mm is a failure. That is the zone a dashcam must stay out of.

The compliant place is up in the top of the screen, tucked behind the rear-view mirror where the mirror already blocks that slice of glass. Mounted there the camera adds no new obstruction, so it does not affect the MOT or break the view rule.

The same thinking covers phone holders, air fresheners and parking permits: it is not the object that is banned, it is putting anything where it blocks the driver's sightline. Route the power cable around the trim so it does not hang across the glass.

What decides if it's legal

  • Must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.
  • Mount it outside the wiper-swept zone in front of the driver - top corner behind the mirror is ideal.
  • A camera in the critical vision area fails the MOT.
  • Cables must be routed so they do not dangle in the driver's eyeline.

Does it depend on your car?

Mirror position and screen rake differ between cars, so "behind the mirror" lands in a slightly different spot on each - but the principle, keep it clear of the wiper-swept zone, is the same everywhere.

Related legality guides

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Sources

This page is general guidance, not legal advice, on the rules in the UK for windscreen-mounted dashcam. The detail varies by exact vehicle and changes over time - confirm with your insurer and the latest DVSA and GOV.UK guidance before modifying.