Your privacy is as important to us as your safety on the road
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What started as a relatively small niche of people having cameras in their cars has become almost entirely commonplace, with many drivers relying on dashcams to provide important footage in case of an incident on the road.
Nowadays, a dashcam is likely to go entirely unnoticed. But what’s the legality of having a camera filming on the street all the time? From privacy concerns to insurance implications, let’s find out more about using a dashcam in the UK.
Dashcams are entirely legal in the UK
To get straight to the point, using dashcams is entirely legal in the UK. You don’t need any special permission to install or operate them on public roads. However, The Highway Code does mandate that drivers have a clear view of the road ahead. Aftermarket dashcams need to be installed in a way that they don’t block any view of the road, and be secured firmly enough that they’re not likely to move and create a visual obstruction.
As such, the usual recommendation for mounting dashcams is behind the rear-view mirror. Aftermarket dashcams usually come with instructions on appropriate places to mount them, so be sure to read the instructions carefully. Failing to adhere to these guidelines could result in fines or points on your licence.
Crucially, if you’ve improperly mounted your dashcam, you might not accurately capture events like collisions – which could leave you without any verifiable evidence in court.
Consider people's privacy
While it’s perfectly legal to install and operate a dashcam on public roads, you should consider people’s privacy. This is both from a legal standpoint, as well as an ethical one. By using public roads, drivers implicitly agree to being photographed or filmed while driving (such as by speed cameras), but you’re liable to be in breach of privacy laws if you publicly share recordings that don’t have people’s faces or vehicle registration numbers blurred.
While failing to adhere to motoring laws about dashcam installation can result in a modest fine (in the best case situation), breaching data protection and privacy laws can result in far more serious consequences - so it’s definitely worth being careful.
How dashcams can help you
You can use dashcams footage as legal evidence
The main reason that dashcams have become so popular is that you can use their footage as clear evidence in the event of a collision - whether that’s with your own vehicle, or if you’ve witnessed a collision further ahead. In some cases, they can also help to deter theft.
They can reduce your insurance premiums
Not only does a dashcam help to back your case in court, but some insurers may even offer a discount on your premiums if you have an approved dashcam installed in your car.
This is much the same concept as having a black box installed. A lot of insurance relies on an element of best-guessing, so if you’re taking proactive measures to protect your vehicle and have proof of no-fault accidents, it makes the insurer’s life a whole lot easier.
Need help with your car servicing or maintenance?
If you’re concerned about getting it right, the experts at your local Kwik Fit centre can help you install a dashcam in an approved way. Not only this, but they can also help you take great care of your vehicle through regular, high-quality maintenance and repair services. Find your local centre here or reach out for more information.
Want to know why ADAS calibration is important for vehicle safety & performance? Read our blog to learn more about the impacts of not calibrating your ADAS.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
Contact our team for help and advice with a new or existing booking. We’ll help direct your enquiry to the appropriate department.
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Select Tyre Size
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We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
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