TfL Approved Dash Cams: Rip-Off or Worth It? A Driver's View
Charles
A TfL approved dash cam costs more than the camera you’d buy for your own car, and drivers are right to ask why.
The honest case that it’s a rip-off
There are fair complaints here, and we’ll start with them.
- You can buy a decent consumer dash cam for under £100. An approved system usually costs several hundred pounds fitted.
- Some approved schemes charge a monthly fee that never ends. At £20 to £25 a month, that’s £720 to £900 over three years.
- Some schemes keep your footage on their servers, so you have to request it and wait.
- Nobody forces you to have a camera, so paying extra for one that’s “allowed” feels like a tax on doing the right thing.
None of that is unreasonable. But it’s only half the picture.
The case that it’s worth it
Look at what one bad week costs a PCO driver.
A disputed crash
Without footage, it’s your word against the other driver’s. A fault claim can push your insurance up at renewal, and PCO insurance is already one of your biggest costs. Footage often settles fault in your favour quickly.
A false passenger complaint
A serious complaint can lead to Uber restricting your account while it investigates. Every day off the app is lost income, on top of rent you’re still paying. A clip showing what actually happened can shorten that dramatically.
A TfL referral
Serious complaints can be passed to TfL. If your licence comes under review, footage is often the clearest evidence you’ll have.
The maths
If a camera keeps you on the road for even one extra week across its lifetime, it has very likely paid for itself. Most drivers who’ve been through one incident don’t drive without a camera again.
Why approved cameras cost more
Some of the extra cost is real.
- Security. Footage needs to be encrypted, with the SD card secured inside the unit.
- Auto-deletion. Recording must overwrite automatically, keeping footage no longer than 28 days unless it’s needed for a claim.
- No audio by default. Systems need audio off, with a panic button exception at most.
- Proper fitting. Permanent, fused wiring, clear of airbags and driver assistance sensors.
- Approval itself. Suppliers have to apply to TfL and show the system meets its requirements.
What isn’t justified is paying for those things every month forever.
What actually makes it a rip-off
The camera being approved isn’t the problem. The deal often is. Watch for:
- Monthly fees with no end date. You pay forever and never own the camera.
- Footage you can’t access yourself. If you have to email someone and wait, that’s a problem when Uber wants evidence today.
- Retrieval limits. Some schemes have fair usage caps on footage requests.
- Hidden fitting charges. Ask for the full fitted price upfront.
- Lock-in. Find out what happens if you change cars or want to leave.
Questions to ask any supplier before you buy
Ask these and you’ll know quickly whether a deal is fair.
- Is this exact system on TfL’s current approved list, with a tick for private hire vehicles?
- What’s the total cost: camera, fitting, monthly fees, and anything else?
- Can I view and download footage on my phone myself, any time?
- Is footage encrypted, and does it overwrite automatically?
- Is audio off by default?
- Do you supply the exterior CCTV sign?
- What warranty do I get?
- What does it cost to move the camera to a new car?
- If I rent, do you need a permission letter from the owner?
What a fair deal looks like
A good approved dash cam for a PCO driver should give you a one-off price you can see upfront, professional fitting that passes inspection, footage on your phone without asking anyone, and front and cabin coverage for both crashes and passenger disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Why are TfL approved dash cams so expensive?
They have to meet TfL’s standards on security, auto-deletion, audio, and fitting, and suppliers go through an approval process. Monthly fees add more on top.
Is a dash cam worth it for an Uber driver?
For most full-time drivers, yes. One disputed crash or false complaint can cost far more than the camera.
Are monthly dash cam schemes worth it?
They’re low upfront, but over a few years they usually cost more than buying outright, and you don’t own the camera.
Do I need a cabin camera or just a front camera?
A front camera covers crashes. A cabin camera covers passenger disputes and false complaints. Most PCO drivers benefit from both.
Our view
The approval rule isn’t a rip-off. Paying a subscription forever for a camera you never own often is. Compare real prices in our cheapest TfL approved dash cam guide.
Traknova’s approved cameras are a one-off cost. £299 for 2 channels, £369 for 3, with optional fitting at £90 and £0 a month after that.