Your dashcam is probably in the wrong spot — here's where it belongs

Published Sep 9, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. A dashcam can be one of the most useful gadgets you add to your car, but simply sticking one onto the windshield doesn't guarantee that you're getting the protection you expect. Where you put the camera can affect everything from how much of the road it captures to whether it interferes with your own visibility, and a poorly planned installation can create problems you probably didn't consider. The good news is that getting the placement right doesn't require a complicated installation or expensive accessories. There are a few simple things to keep in mind before you attach the camera, particularly when it comes to visibility, safety, and the area of the windshield it can actually see through. Get those details right, and your dashcam can quietly do its job without becoming a distraction, or putting you and your passengers at unnecessary risk. The most common mistakes people make when mounting a dashcam There are quite a few Credit: Rich Hein/HowToGeek Dash cameras are fantastic tools, and I'd recommend everyone have one. However, if they're not installed correctly, they can be more trouble than they're worth. Make sure you don't impede your visibility out the windshield. Some common installation spots can also be dangerous to you and your passengers in a crash, or outright illegal. Make sure it's not in the way One of the most obvious mistakes that people make is installing their dashcam too low. If this is the case, it can pretty easily obstruct your vision while driving. Cameras mounted too low on the windscreen also don't give you a good angle on what is happening on the road, making them essentially pointless. You also need to make sure that you're not blocking any sensors or airbags. If you put your dash camera in the way of an airbag, it could stop the airbag from deploying properly, but it could also turn into a projectile in an accident that causes more harm to you or your passengers. This goes for any cables that the camera needs as well. Powering the camera from your OBD port is also not a great idea. Finally, always consider the windscreen laws where you live. Rules vary from region to region, and some areas have very strict specifications regarding where you can mount your dash cam and just how large it can be. There are some pretty simple rules to follow when installing a dashcam Safe and out of the way Installing your dashcam in the right spot is incredibly important, but it isn't all that complicated. Apart from avoiding the common mistakes above, there are some fairly simple things you can do to make sure that you're getting the most out of your camera. Keeping visibility high while making sure that it's out of the way is the main goal. Tucked behind the rearview mirror The best and most widely accepted placement for your dash camera is behind your rearview mirror. This ensures it doesn't obstruct your view. It also means that it is tucked away and slightly hidden, making sure that you're not drawing any unwanted attention. The other key thing to consider is to make sure that the camera is squarely within the windshield wiper zone. This ensures that things like dust, dirt, or rain don't obstruct the camera's view, and you get clear footage even when the weather isn't all that great, or you've skipped the car wash for a while. Before you install, always consider that you're going to have to route the power cable so that it doesn't block any sensors or airbags. The best way is to keep it running along the headliner where possible before routing downwards. Once installed, make sure you check the footage to see if the camera angle is right, and adjust it if it isn't. Everyone should have a dashcam Incidents on the road are unavoidable Credit: Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek A dashcam is one of the most essential gadgets every car owner should have. Incidents on the road happen every day. Even if you've been lucky enough to avoid any accidents or mishaps, the chance of you experiencing one in your lifetime is pretty high. Having recorded evidence of exactly what happened can be a huge lifesaver. Avoid messy legal disputes There are so many different kinds of things that can happen on the road. From people looking to execute insurance scams to drivers running away to avoid responsibility, a dashcam can make sure that you're never caught unawares. Many of us have also been unfairly hit with a traffic fine, and a dash cam can help in those situations too. They're also not the most expensive gadgets out there. While top-end models will set you back quite a lot, simple units are easy on your bank account. We also have a guide on how you can convert your old smartphone into a dashcam, using an app to record important events, which is obviously free. Dashcams are great if they're installed properly There are few car accessories that are as essential as a dash camera, with it having the potential to get you out of some awful situations. However, if they're not installed correctly, their benefits diminish by quite a lot, or can even be dangerous to you and everyone else in your car. Making sure that it is tucked away out of view and has a clear view of everything going on is crucial.