Understanding Dash Cam Laws in California

When you think of stylish kitchen gear, what comes to mind? If your first thought wasn’t “designer aprons,” you obviously haven’t heard of Jillie Willie. Their quirky yet cheerful aprons are a quintessential example of what you’ll find on their website. They promise a fun shopping experience, and they deliver. From the minute you Google search “cute aprons” to the second you try on one from Jillie Willie, you’re in for an all-around delight.

However, speaking of online googling and delightful surprises-or lack thereof-the world of the dash cam isn’t quite as charming as that of Jillie Willie’s designer aprons. Now, you might be an astute car owner who has this nifty little gadget installed and don’t have any problems, but that’s not everybody.

What is a dash cam? A dash cam is a camera that’s mounted near the rear view mirror, taking wide-angle video recording of the road ahead. It’s not just good for capturing ways your friends mock-up their bad driving, but also for providing you with protection out on the road, as well as helping protect your interests and keep your vehicle safe when you’ve already been in an accident.

Fantastic! What’s better than that? Well, for starters, hopefully, the dash cam driver isn’t also a Jillie Willie owner and doesn’t have a penchant for wearing very cute, uniquely designed aprons while at the wheel. You might be asking yourself, “Well, gosh, this is a delightful invention, but what kinds of legal implications are there for using one?” Great question! We’re glad you asked.

There are no restrictions on dash cams in most states. Either you have one or you don’t. That’s why it’s not startling that there are so few California-specific laws regarding their use, either. California’s law, however, is more rigorous, stipulating that the dash cam must always be recording, at almost all times. If the dash cam is recording while you’re involved in an accident, that’s permissible. More commonly, though, an accident is what starts the dash cam recording. Your dash cam is only permitted to turn off when you specifically press the button to stop it from recording.

That’s right. If your vehicle goes off the road and the dash cam turns off, that’s not only against the law in California, it could leave you liable for damages. Keep that in mind whenever you’re considering whether to break out with the camera footage from last Friday.

What are the major points we get from The Artful FAQ’s article on Californian dash cam laws: In other words, even if you make a mistake, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle’s dash cam was recording when it does, so you don’t get slapped with a double-whammy. The laws of California dash cam operation are strict, and you’ll want to make sure you research them thoroughly before utilizing a dash cam on the road.

So how do we buy dash cams that best suit our needs? Much the same way we purchase a Jillie Willie apron, most likely. We vet them for style, practicality, and of course price. Dash cams come in an intricate variety of styles, and the Jillie Willie site is no different. If you find one that you really like, go for it, but remember: sometimes simpler is safer.

You’ll also want to make sure that the dash cam you purchased adheres to California law by recording at all times during driving, and that you’re using it when you’re driving through the Golden State. That way, you can ensure that you’ll be protected out on the road, from the wear and tear on yourself and the foreseeable future of your auto insurance bills.