Where to Mount a Dash Cam

On this page (8 sections)

1. Where to mount a dash cam for a clear view
2. What should you check before choosing a windshield spot?
3. Can you mount a dash cam on the dashboard?
4. How should you route the dash cam cable?
5. Should you remove trim to hide the wire?
6. How do you check the mount and recording?
7. Where should a rear or cabin camera go?
8. Where to mount a dash cam: a simple decision

Mount a dash cam high on the windshield, behind or near the rearview mirror, where it can see the road without blocking your view. Follow the camera maker's mounting advice, check your state's rules for windshield placement, and confirm the camera's view before driving.

A good position balances a clear recording with safe visibility. The camera should stay firmly attached, and its cable should not cross your view or interfere with controls.

Where to mount a dash cam for a clear view

The best place is usually high on the windshield, near the rearview mirror, if your state's rules and the camera maker allow it. This position can keep the camera near the center of the windshield while leaving most of the glass clear.

Aim the lens toward the road, not the dashboard or sky. Check the live preview or a short recording from the driver's seat; the hood should take up little of the frame, and the horizon should look level.

Before attaching anything, sit in your normal driving position and check what you can see around the mirror. The camera and mount should not block your direct view of the road, signs, or signals.

For a basic explanation of what the camera records, see what a dash cam is and how it works. If you're choosing between front-only and cabin or rear views, compare dash cams versus 360-degree cameras.

What should you check before choosing a windshield spot?

Check your state's windshield placement rules and the camera maker's instructions before mounting. Placement limits can differ by state, and camera makers may specify where a mount can attach or how the lens should face.

Keep the unit and its cable clear of the driver's sightline. Also avoid placing it where a sun visor, mirror adjustment, or other vehicle feature would block the lens.

Look for a spot that lets you reach the camera's controls and remove the memory card without awkwardly leaning over the steering wheel. If you plan to use parking mode, consider how the cable will route to its power source.

Does the camera maker specify a mounting position?

Follow the instructions for your exact camera and mount. They may explain which surfaces are suitable and how to attach or angle the camera.

A suction mount can help when you want to adjust or move a compatible camera. The ROVE Suction Cup Mount is designed for ROVE R2-4K, R2-4K PRO, and R2-4K DUAL cameras, with a rotatable mount and a 360-degree rotating neck.

Check that your camera model is compatible before choosing this mount. After attaching it, gently confirm that it is stable, then review a recording to check the angle.

Can you mount a dash cam on the dashboard?

A dashboard position can work when the camera maker permits it and the lens still has a clear road view. The mount must stay secure on the surface, and the camera must not obstruct your view.

Some suction mounts need a smooth, firm area to attach. The Dashboard Pad for Suction Mounts has a smooth top and adhesive backing, but it is not a mount by itself and is not suited to soft leather, suede, deep textures, or sharply curved surfaces.

Clean and dry the surface before applying a pad, and follow its installation directions. The disk is 3.23 in across, and its instructions call for leaving it unloaded for 48 hours before attaching the suction-cup mount.

Avoid a dashboard position if the camera points too low, gets blocked by the hood, or sits in a place that could interfere with controls. The recorded view matters more than choosing a spot simply because it looks tidy.

How should you route the dash cam cable?

Route the cable along a windshield edge and behind trim only when your vehicle's instructions allow it. Keep it away from the driver's direct view, pedals, and any area where it could interfere with an airbag.

Don't tuck a cable into trim without checking where airbags and wiring sit. If you aren't sure how the trim is attached or where an airbag deploys, ask a qualified installer.

KnotKing Adhesive Cable Clips fit cords up to 0.22 in (5.6 mm) in diameter and can attach to suitable clean, dry, smooth surfaces. They are not suited to leather, rubber, silicone, or wet, rough, oily, or dusty surfaces.

Place clips where they won't pull the cable tight or put it across a control. For thicker or heavier cables, KnotKing advises waiting 24 hours after attaching the clips before placing the cable in them.

Should you remove trim to hide the wire?

Remove trim only if you can do it without disturbing airbags, wiring, or clips that your vehicle maker says not to remove. If you choose to work on trim, use the vehicle service guidance and gentle pressure.

A nylon trim tool can help pry interior panels without using a metal edge against the surface. The Tresalto Trim Removal Tool Kit is a 5-piece set with nylon pry tools and a clip remover.

Work slowly and stop if a panel resists or you find wiring. A trim tool does not make it safe to pry near an airbag or remove a panel without knowing how it is secured.

How do you check the mount and recording?

Check the mount's hold and the footage before you rely on the camera. Confirm that the camera is stable, the lens faces the road, and the image isn't blocked by tint, a sticker, the mirror, or another part of the vehicle.

1. Sit in your usual driving position and check your sightline.
2. Confirm the mount is attached as the maker instructs.
3. Turn on the camera and record a short sample.
4. Review the road view and adjust the angle if needed.
5. Check that the cable is secure and clear of controls.

Repeat the view check after moving the camera or changing vehicles. A mount that shifts can change what the camera records.

Where should a rear or cabin camera go?

Place a rear camera where its lens can see through the rear window without blocking your view or interfering with the rear wiper. Follow the camera maker's instructions for the camera and its cable.

A cabin camera should show the interior area it is meant to record while staying clear of the driver's sightline. Check the angle from the camera preview, since headrests and passengers can block part of the frame.

For more coverage options, our guide to the best 3-channel dash cams explains what front, cabin, and rear cameras can record. If you're comparing different camera layouts, see mirror dash cams versus regular dash cams.

Where to mount a dash cam: a simple decision

For most drivers, start high near the rearview mirror, then confirm that the camera maker allows that position and your state permits it. Choose a dashboard spot only if it provides a stable fit and an unobstructed road view.

Use the maker's mount advice, secure the cable along a safe route, and review a test recording before driving. If footage needs adjusting, how to watch dash cam footage on a computer can help you review a saved clip.

Frequently asked questions

Where should you mount a dash cam?

Mount it high on the windshield, behind or near the rearview mirror, if that position gives the camera a clear road view and stays within your state's placement rules. Keep it out of your direct sightline, follow the camera maker's instructions, and check the recorded view before driving.

Can you mount a dash cam on the dashboard?

You can use a dashboard position if the camera maker allows it and the camera still records a useful view through the windshield. Keep the camera stable and out of your sightline, and check that the mount suits the dashboard surface.

A suction mount may need a separate smooth pad on some dashboards.

How do you hide dash cam wires?

Route the cable along the windshield edge and interior trim only where it won't interfere with airbags, pedals, or the driver's controls. Follow your vehicle and camera instructions, and use clips suited to the surface.

If trim must come off, work gently and avoid wiring or airbag parts.

Can a dash cam block your view?

Yes. A poorly placed camera or loose cable can obstruct your view, so keep the camera compactly positioned near the mirror and the cable secured along an edge.

State rules differ on windshield placement, so check your state's requirements and adjust the mount if it blocks your sightline.