Dashboard cameras — Maryland

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

Windshield placement and visibility

A person may not drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, card, sticker, or other nontransparent material (e.g., dash cam) on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle other than a certificate or other required paper. There are two exceptions to this rule:

• Nontransparent material (e.g., dash cam) may be placed on the windshield of a motor vehicle above the AS1 line (i.e., demarcation line for window tinting) or not lower than five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is less, if the materials are placed so as not to interfere with the driver’s clear view of traffic; or
• Materials placed on the windshield or rear window, within a seven-inch square area in the lower corner, if the materials are placed so as not to interfere with the driver’s clear view of traffic.

To avoid noncompliance, placement of dash cams should adhere strictly to these guidelines.

Audio and video recording

Maryland is an all-party consent state. This means you can record audio as long as all parties to the conversation (e.g., the driver and all passenger(s)) consent.

In Maryland, it is generally legal to record videos 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 Maryland is an all-party consent state for audio recordings, fleet managers or drivers can record conversations in the vehicle if all parties to the conversation consent. 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.