Dash cams are legal in Arizona, but their installation and use are subject to specific regulations regarding placement and windshield obstruction. According to state law, dash cams must not obstruct the driver’s view and are generally prohibited on the windshield, except when mounted in designated lower corners.
On the driver’s side, the dash cam must be installed in the bottom corner of the windshield and must not exceed 5 square inches in area. On the passenger side, it may be placed in the bottom corner as well, with a maximum area of 7 square inches. Alternatively, drivers may mount dash cams on the dashboard, provided they do not obstruct the driver’s vision or create a distraction.
Arizona is a single-party consent state for audio recording, meaning that only one party involved in a conversation (such as the driver) must consent to being recorded; this is relevant if your dash cam also records audio.
Improper placement of a dash cam—such as installing it in a way that blocks more of the windshield than allowed or mounting it outside the authorized corners—can result in a traffic citation and may also affect liability in the event of an accident. Dash cam footage is generally admissible in court if it is legally obtained.
Key points for legal dash cam use in Arizona:
Dash cams are allowed and widely used.
Must be mounted in the lower corner of the windshield (5 sq in. on the driver’s side, 7 sq in. on the passenger side) or on the dashboard.
Cannot obstruct the driver’s view.
Arizona follows single-party consent for audio recording.
Footage is typically admissible in court, provided the device was used legally.
Sources
[1] https://matrackinc.com/dash-cam-laws-by-states/
[2] https://www.enjuris.com/blog/resources/dash-cam-laws-by-state/
[3] https://www.ddpai.com/blog/dash-cam-laws/
[4] https://www.expertmarket.com/dash-cams/dash-cam-laws-by-state
[5] https://www.azuga.com/blog/dash-cam-laws
