Dashboard cameras — Montana

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

Windshield placement and visibility

A person may not drive a motor vehicle with nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle that materially obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. Mounting a dash cam on the dashboard is the best way to avoid an accusation that a dash cam materially obstructs the driver’s clear view.

Audio and video recording

Montana permits audio recording without consent, provided it is not done covertly, i.e. the recording device is not hidden.

In Montana, 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

Even though Montana does not require consent for audio recordings, the best practice 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.