Dashboard cameras — Kentucky

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

Windshield placement and visibility

In Kentucky, a person may not operate a motor vehicle with any sign, sunscreening material, product, or covering attached to, or located in or upon the windshield, except the following:

• A certificate or other paper required to be displayed by law;
• Sunscreening material along a strip at the top of the windshield; or
• Sunscreening material or other product or material that has a light transmittance of not less than 70 percent and is not red or yellow in color.

Since a dash cam is likely considered a “product”, and would not allow 70 percent of light transmittance, it would likely be prohibited. As such, it is better practice to mount dash cams on the dashboard or behind the rear-view mirror.

Audio and video recording

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

In Kansas, 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 Kentucky 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.