Choosing a dash cam: a no-nonsense guide for UK drivers
Front only or front and rear? Do you need parking mode? What to check before you buy, and how to fit it legally.
Dash cams have gone from a niche gadget to something many UK drivers wouldn't be without. They can help settle disputes after a collision, deter "crash for cash" fraud, and record dangerous driving that you may want to report. But with hundreds of models on sale, it's easy to pay for features you don't need or miss the ones that matter.
Front only, or front and rear?
A front camera covers the most common situations: someone pulling out, braking suddenly or cutting across you. A rear camera adds cover for shunts from behind, which are among the most common claims of all. If you do a lot of motorway or town driving, a front-and-rear kit is worth considering. For occasional, local journeys a good front camera may be enough.
Video quality: what you actually need
The most important thing a dash cam captures is a number plate, often of a car that's moving. Full HD (1080p) is the minimum worth buying; 1440p or 4K front cameras make plates easier to read at a distance. Just as important is how the camera copes at night and in rain, so look for sample footage recorded in poor light rather than sunny-day clips.
A wide field of view (around 130-140 degrees) captures more of the road, but very wide lenses can make distant details smaller. Most good cameras balance the two.
Features worth paying for
- G-sensor: detects an impact and automatically locks that clip so it isn't recorded over.
- GPS: stamps your speed and location on the footage, which can be useful evidence.
- Parking mode: records bumps while the car is parked. It usually needs a hardwire kit to draw a small amount of power from the car, so factor in fitting.
- A supercapacitor rather than a battery: copes far better with a hot car in summer.
- An app: makes it much easier to save and share clips from your phone.
Fitting it legally and safely
The Highway Code says your view of the road must not be obstructed. In practice, that means mounting the camera behind the rear-view mirror or as high and central as possible, outside the area swept by the wipers in front of the driver. Tuck the cable around the edge of the windscreen and headlining so it doesn't dangle. And set it up before you set off - handling it while driving is treated the same as using a phone.
Memory cards: the part people forget
Dash cams record constantly and overwrite old footage, which is hard on memory cards. Use a "high endurance" card designed for continuous recording, use the size the manufacturer recommends, and format it every month or so. It's a good habit to check occasionally that the camera is actually recording - the worst time to discover a dead card is just after an accident.
Using your footage
If you're involved in a collision, save the clip straight away and tell your insurer you have footage. Most UK police forces also accept dash cam footage of dangerous or careless driving through online reporting portals. Some insurers offer a small discount for drivers with a dash cam, so it's worth asking at renewal.
Privacy
Recording the public road for your own use is generally fine. If you share footage online, it's good practice to blur faces and number plates of people who weren't involved. And if you use your car for business, check whether your employer or the data protection rules apply to you.
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