Dashboard cameras — Vermont

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

Windshield placement and visibility

A person may not operate a motor vehicle on which material or items have been adhered on or over, or hung behind, any transparent part of a motor vehicle windshield, vent windows, or side windows located immediately to the left and right of the operator. The prohibition on hanging items applies only when a hanging item materially obstructs the driver’s view.

Nevertheless, a person may operate a motor vehicle with material or items adhered on or over, or hung behind, the windshield, vent windows, or side windows:

• In a space not over four inches high and 12 inches long in the lower right-hand corner of the windshield; or
• In a space not over two inches high and two and one-half inches long in the upper left-hand corner of the windshield.

As a result, windshield mounting is allowed, but with strict size and location requirements. Dashboard and behind the rear-view mirror mounting may be simpler.

Audio and video recording

Vermont is considered a one-party state because it has no laws or regulations governing the audio recording of conversations. This means you can record audio as long as one party to the conversation (e.g., the driver or the passenger) consent.

In Vermont, 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.

The law in Vermont states that a person must not place a camera or other surveillance device on any privately owned real property with the intent to conduct surveillance on a person or property without prior written consent from the property owner. Drivers entering private property with an activated dash cam would not seem to fit this violation because it is unlikely that they would be there “with the intent to conduct surveillance.”

Regardless, it is best practice for dash cams to be deactivated or permission obtained prior to video recording on private property.

Employee and driver privacy

Because Vermont 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.