Dashboard cameras — Iowa

Dash cams are legal in Iowa, but the following rules should be considered:  

Windshield placement and visibility

In Iowa, a person may not drive a motor vehicle equipped with a windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows which do not permit clear vision. While this law does not address dash cam installation directly, it is best to avoid mounting dash cams on the windshield. Instead, it is best to install your dash cam on the dashboard or behind the rear-view mirror.

Audio and video recording

Iowa is a one-party consent state. This means that you can record audio as long as one party to the conversation (e.g., the driver or passenger) consents.

In Iowa, it is generally legal to video record in public and in semi-public places like a truck cab, where there is little or no expectation of privacy.

However, video recording on private property (e.g., customer sites and delivery locations) without permission may be illegal, especially if footage includes people who are unaware that they are being recorded. Best practice: Dash cams should be deactivated or explicit permission obtained from the property owner or the individuals being recorded prior to video recording on private property.

Employee and driver privacy

Because Iowa has one-party consent for audio recordings, fleet managers or drivers can record conversations in the vehicle as long one party, such as the driver consents. The best practice, however, is to both post a sign in the cab and inform all passengers verbally (whether customers, contractors, or employees) of audio or video recording for purposes of trust, transparency, and to avoid privacy disputes.