Can You Use a Normal Dash Cam in a PCO Car? TfL Rules Explained
Charles
No, you can’t fit a normal dash cam to a licensed PCO car, and it usually breaks four or five TfL rules at once.
The main reason: it’s not on the list
TfL’s guidelines say only CCTV systems that meet its requirements and have TfL approval can be installed in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles. A camera bought off the shelf won’t be on that list, however good it is.
Approval is also specific. TfL’s list names camera systems against the suppliers and installers approved to fit them, with separate columns for different taxi models and for private hire vehicles. Only the PHV column matters to you.
But even if you ignore the list, most consumer cameras fail TfL’s guidelines on the hardware itself.
The myths
“It’s only road-facing, so it doesn’t count”
It does count. TfL defines CCTV as any recording device fitted inside the vehicle that captures images inside or outside it. A forward-facing dash cam is in scope. TfL’s own guidelines even tell owners to display a warning sign where a camera records outside the vehicle.
You may have seen a TfL page saying in-vehicle CCTV doesn’t include dash cams. That line came from a 2021 consultation about making cabin cameras mandatory. It doesn’t override TfL’s equipment rules.
“I’ll take it off before inspection”
Inspection isn’t the only time it matters. If something happens on a trip and your footage comes from an unapproved camera, it raises questions about how you were recording passengers. That’s the moment you least want those questions.
“Nobody checks”
Examiners check for unapproved modifications, camera placement, signage and data controller details. A missing sign alone is a reason for refusal.
Where normal dash cams fall down
Suction mounts
Almost every consumer dash cam ships with a suction cup. TfL doesn’t allow temporary fixings like suction mounts. The camera must be fixed securely so it can’t come loose or cause injury in a crash.
Cigarette lighter power
A cable running from the 12V socket across your dashboard won’t pass. Wiring has to be fused to the manufacturer’s spec, routed safely, and kept out of the driver and passenger area. Visible wiring must be safe and permanent.
Audio recording
Most dash cams record sound by default. TfL treats recording passenger conversations as highly intrusive. It prefers systems with no audio, and where a system has it, it should be off. The only exception is a panic button that records audio when you’re under threat and resets automatically.
Screens for viewing footage
TfL’s guidelines don’t allow screens in the vehicle for viewing captured footage. TfL hasn’t said clearly whether a small setup display on the camera body counts, so ask the supplier or installer.
Data security
TfL expects footage to be encrypted and the SD card to be secure inside the unit. Recording should overwrite automatically, with footage kept for no more than 28 days unless it’s needed for a claim or investigation. A camera with a pop-out card and no encryption doesn’t meet that.
Where a camera can physically go
Even an approved camera can fail if it’s in the wrong place. TfL enforces road traffic rules on driver vision at inspection, and your PHV needs an MOT done within the last 14 days before its licensing inspection.
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. Anything there can’t intrude more than 10mm. Elsewhere in the area the wipers clear, the limit is 40mm.
That’s why behind the rear-view mirror is the usual spot. But watch for three things:
- Airbags. Nothing can sit where an airbag or curtain airbag deploys. The A pillar, where most DIY cable runs go, often has curtain airbags.
- Driver assistance cameras. Many PCO cars, especially hybrids, have forward cameras and radar behind the mirror for automatic braking. A dash cam mustn’t interfere with them.
- Licence discs. You need clear space on the windscreen for your TfL licence discs.
What happens if you fit one anyway
At your inspection, an unapproved modification is a reason for refusal. Examiners can let you remove it on the spot and record an advisory instead, but you can’t count on that. We cover the full consequences in can a normal dash cam put your PCO licence at risk.
Your legitimate options
- No camera. Completely fine. TfL and Uber don’t require one.
- An approved camera, fitted properly. Pick a system with a PHV tick on TfL’s current list, fitted by the supplier or approved installer, with the correct signs.
- Ask your rental company. If you rent, the owner decides. Many already fit approved cameras.
Already bought the wrong one? Read bought the wrong dash cam for Uber.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a Nextbase, Viofo or Garmin dash cam in my PCO car?
Not unless that exact system is on TfL’s current approved list for private hire vehicles. Standard consumer models generally aren’t.
Is a front-facing only dash cam allowed without approval?
No. TfL counts road-facing cameras as CCTV, so approval still applies.
Can I use a suction mount if the camera is approved?
No. TfL doesn’t allow temporary fixings like suction cups.
Where should a dash cam go in a PCO car?
Usually behind the rear-view mirror, clear of the driver’s view, airbags, driver assistance sensors and licence discs.
Can I keep my normal dash cam if I disable the audio?
No. Turning off audio fixes one issue, but the camera still isn’t approved and likely fails on mounting, wiring and data security.
The fix
If you want a camera, start with one already approved for private hire vehicles and have it professionally fitted. Then it passes inspection first time.