Key Takeaways Where Can I Legally Mount a Front Dash Cam Without Blocking My View?
• The safest and most legally sound spot for a front dash cam is high up in the centre of the windscreen, tucked behind the rear-view mirror.
• Anything mounted in the area directly in front of the driver (Zone A) must not intrude more than 10mm into it.
• Anything in the rest of the area cleared by your wipers (Zone B) must not intrude more than 40mm.
• A badly placed dash cam can lead to an MOT failure, a fine and penalty points, and could even count against you after a collision.
• Rear dash cams should sit high and central on the rear window, clear of the rear wiper and heater elements where possible.
The best place to legally mount a front dash cam in the UK is at the top centre of your windscreen, directly behind or just beside the rear-view mirror, where it sits outside your main line of sight. UK windscreen rules say a device must not intrude more than 10mm into the 290mm wide strip in front of the driver, or more than 40mm into the rest of the area swept by your wipers. If you are choosing a camera with placement in mind, our range of Front and Rear Dash Cams includes compact, low-profile models designed to hide neatly behind the mirror.
Why Dash Cam Placement Matters
A dash cam is there to protect you, but in the wrong spot it can do the opposite. A camera sitting low in the windscreen or in front of the driver can hide a cyclist, a pedestrian stepping out or a car pulling out of a junction. The law in the UK requires drivers to have a full, clear view of the road and traffic ahead at all times, and the Highway Code says windscreens must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.
Placement also affects the quality of your footage. A camera mounted too low records mostly bonnet and dashboard, while one mounted off to the side gives a skewed view that can make it harder to show exactly what happened in an incident.
Understanding the Windscreen Zones
To judge whether something is blocking your view, the windscreen is divided into zones. These are the same zones an MOT tester uses when checking for damage or obstructions.
Zone A is a vertical strip 290mm wide, centred on the steering wheel and within the area swept by the wipers. This is your primary field of view. Nothing should intrude more than 10mm into this zone, which effectively rules it out for a dash cam, its mount or its cable.
Zone B is the rest of the area cleared by your wipers. Devices must not intrude more than 40mm into this area. That is why a dash cam mounted high up, so only a small part of it dips into the wiper sweep, can still be compliant.
Outside the wiper sweep is the area at the very top of the screen and around the edges that the wipers do not reach. This is generally the most forgiving area, but anything placed here must still not noticeably restrict your view of the road.
On larger vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, such as vans and HGVs, Zone A widens to 350mm, so fleet operators should take extra care when fitting cameras across a mixed fleet.
The Ideal Mounting Position for a Front Dash Cam
For almost every car, the sweet spot is the top centre of the windscreen. Mounting the camera behind the rear-view mirror means the mirror itself already blocks that small area of glass, so the dash cam adds little or nothing to the obstruction. From the driver’s seat, it should be hidden or barely visible.
When fitting your camera in this position, keep these points in mind:
• Sit in your normal driving position before you stick the mount in place and check the camera cannot be seen past the mirror.
• Aim the lens so the horizon sits roughly in the middle of the frame, with only a sliver of bonnet visible at the bottom.
• Make sure the lens sits within the wiper sweep if possible, so rain does not blur your footage.
• Avoid covering the sensor housing behind the mirror on cars with rain sensors, lane assist or automatic headlights. If yours has one, shift the camera slightly towards the passenger side.
Smaller, wedge-shaped and screenless designs are easiest to hide in this spot. You can compare compact options across our Front and Rear Dash Cams collection to find a model that suits your windscreen and mirror layout.
Where Not to Mount a Dash Cam
Some positions cause problems with the law, your MOT or your safety:
• Low down in the middle of the windscreen, where it sits in your line of sight.
• Directly in front of the steering wheel, which falls inside Zone A.
• On the dashboard with a tall stand, if the camera rises into your view of the road.
• Over or near airbag panels, including the A-pillar trim where curtain airbags deploy. Cables should be tucked behind trims carefully, not across airbag seams.
• Anywhere that blocks the windscreen tint band, sensors or tax and parking permits on the passenger side in a way that interferes with how they work.
What About the Cables?
The rules apply to the whole installation, not just the camera. A loose power cable dangling across the windscreen counts as an obstruction too. Route the cable along the top edge of the headlining, down the passenger side pillar trim and under the dashboard to the power socket, or have it hardwired into the fuse box. Hardwiring keeps the cabin tidy and is required if you want parking mode to record while the car is switched off.
Where to Mount a Rear Dash Cam
If you are fitting a dual system, the rear camera usually goes at the top centre of the rear window. Try to keep it within the area cleared by the rear wiper, so rain and dirt do not spoil the image, but make sure it does not snag the wiper blade itself. Avoid sticking it directly over heater elements if you can, as these can make adhesive mounts loosen and may affect the image. On cars with dark privacy glass, some rear cameras struggle at night, so check the camera handles tinted glass well.
What Happens If Your Dash Cam Is in the Wrong Place?
There are three main risks:
- MOT failure. An obstruction larger than 10mm in Zone A or 40mm in Zone B can result in a failed MOT. Many testers will ask you to remove a badly placed device before the test.
- Fines and penalty points. If police believe your view of the road is obstructed, you could face a fine and points on your licence. If a poorly placed device contributes to a collision, it could also support a charge of careless or dangerous driving.
- Weaker evidence. If your camera was blocking your view at the time of an incident, an insurer or the other party may question your version of events, even if the footage is clear.
Using Your Dash Cam Safely While Driving
Set your camera up before you set off. Adjusting the angle, scrolling through menus or reviewing footage while driving is a distraction, and if you are not in proper control of your vehicle you can be penalised. Most modern dash cams record automatically when the ignition starts, and many offer app control so you can download clips once you have safely parked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to have a dash cam in the UK?
Yes. Dash cams are legal to use in the UK, as long as they are mounted so they do not obstruct your view of the road and you do not operate them in a distracting way while driving.
Can I mount a dash cam on my dashboard instead of the windscreen?
You can, provided the camera and its stand do not rise into your field of view. In most cars, a windscreen mount behind the mirror is the better choice because it gives a clearer recording angle and keeps your view free.
Will my dash cam cause me to fail my MOT?
Not if it is fitted correctly. A camera behind the rear-view mirror that does not intrude more than 40mm into the wiper sweep, and nothing at all past 10mm into the strip in front of the driver, should not cause a problem.
Should I use a suction mount or an adhesive mount?
Adhesive mounts are usually more secure and lower profile, which makes them easier to hide behind the mirror. Suction mounts are handy if you move the camera between vehicles, but they can fall off in hot or cold weather.
Do I need to tell my insurer I have a dash cam?
It is worth letting them know. Some insurers view dash cams positively, and footage can help settle claims more quickly when fault is disputed.
Does a rear dash cam have the same rules?
The rear window does not have the same Zone A and Zone B checks as the windscreen, but you still need a clear view through your mirrors, so mount the rear camera high and central and keep it compact.
Get the Right Dash Cam for a Clean, Legal Fit
Choosing a compact camera and fitting it high behind your rear-view mirror is the simplest way to stay legal, pass your MOT and capture clear footage of the road ahead. If you want full coverage of what happens in front of and behind your vehicle, browse our full range of Front and Rear Dash Cams and find a discreet system that suits your car.
