Can I Fit a TfL Approved Dash Cam Myself? The PCO Rules

Fitting your own dash cam saves you a fitting fee, but in a PCO car it’s one of the most common reasons cameras fail inspection.

Approval covers the system and who fits it

TfL’s approved list isn’t a list of camera models you can buy anywhere and stick on. It lists camera systems against the suppliers and installers approved to supply and fit them. Some entries name a specific installer for a specific product.

There are also separate approval columns for different taxi models and for private hire vehicles. A system approved for a black cab isn’t automatically approved for a PHV.

So the first question isn’t “can I fit it?” It’s “who is approved to fit this system to my type of vehicle?”

Fitting a camera is a vehicle modification

TfL’s inspection manual treats a camera as a modification to a licensed vehicle. The process looks like this:

1. Get approval before you spend money. TfL expects owners to apply for approval of a modification before incurring any cost.
2. Supply the details. That means technical specifications, installation guidance and certification for the system.
3. Get it fitted to that standard.
4. Bring the paperwork to inspection. You show written confirmation of what was approved. The examiner records the modification against your vehicle.
5. Complete the declaration form. For a PHV, there’s a declaration form for the camera that must be completed and signed.

Ask your supplier for the TfL approval reference for the exact system. That’s what the examiner checks against.

If you rent your car, the owner handles this. Don’t fit anything without their written permission.

What an examiner looks at

Even with an approved camera and the right paperwork, a DIY fit can fail on the installation itself.

Secure mounting

No suction mounts. TfL doesn’t allow temporary fixings like suction cups. The camera must be fixed so it can’t come loose or injure anyone in a crash.

Wiring

All wiring must be fused to the manufacturer’s spec and routed properly. Visible wiring must be safe and permanent, and nothing can get into the driver or passenger area. A cable running from the cigarette lighter across the dashboard won’t pass.

Your view of the road

The driver must have a full view of the road ahead. Under MOT rules, the area of windscreen directly in front of the driver, a band 290mm wide centred on the steering wheel, allows almost no obstruction: no more than 10mm. Elsewhere in the area the wipers clear, the limit is 40mm.

Your PHV also needs an MOT done within the last 14 days before its licensing inspection, so these limits are checked twice.

Airbags

Nothing can sit in an airbag’s deployment path or mount on or next to an airbag. Curtain airbags often run along the A pillar and headlining, which is exactly where most DIY cable runs go.

Driver assistance systems

Many PCO cars, especially Toyota and Kia hybrids, have forward cameras and radar behind the rear-view mirror for automatic braking and lane assist. A dash cam must not interfere with them.

Licence discs

Leave space for your TfL licence discs on the windscreen. A camera, bracket or cable that blocks them is a reason for refusal.

Screens and audio

TfL’s guidelines don’t allow screens in the vehicle for viewing footage. Audio should be switched off. A professional installer will set this up correctly.

When DIY makes sense

For a private car, self-fitting is fine. For a licensed PCO car, the money you save is small next to the cost of a refused inspection or a car off the road while you wait for a refit.

What to ask an installer

Before you book, ask:

1. Are you approved to fit this system to private hire vehicles?
2. Will you supply the approval details I need for inspection?
3. Will the wiring be fused and hidden, clear of the airbag areas?
4. Where will you mount it, given my car’s driver assistance cameras?
5. Will audio be off and any screens disabled?
6. Do you supply the exterior CCTV sign?
7. Do you offer mobile fitting, or do I bring the car to you?
8. Is fitting covered by the warranty?

Frequently asked questions

Can I install a TfL approved dash cam myself?

In a licensed PCO car, it’s risky. Approval is linked to the supplier and installer, and fitting is checked closely at inspection.

How much does it cost to fit a TfL approved dash cam?

It varies by supplier. Traknova’s professional fitting is £90, added at checkout.

Can I use a hardwire kit from Amazon?

Not recommended for a PCO car. Wiring must be fused to the camera manufacturer’s spec and routed safely, so use the installer’s approved setup. If you have power issues, see our guide to dash cam hardwire kits that won’t work.

Where is the best place to mount a dash cam in a PCO car?

Usually behind the rear-view mirror, clear of the driver’s view, airbags, driver assistance sensors and licence discs.

Do I need TfL approval before fitting?

TfL expects owners to get approval for a modification before spending money on it, and to show proof at inspection.

Get it fitted right first time

Traknova’s approved cameras can be professionally fitted for £90. Every camera is fitted and certified for PCO use.

See Traknova’s TfL-approved dash cams with professional fitting →