Mounting Position Recommendations for Dash Cams (US)

Note

The placement of the Samsara Dash Cam as per this article is in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations rules for dash cam placement:

On October 28, 2020, the FMCSA granted Samsara a limited 5-year exemption to allow the mounting of Samsara Dash Cams in the windshield of a commercial motor vehicle lower than was previously permitted.
Effective May 6, 2022, the FMCSA final rule change grants dash cam placement in accordance with the above instructions without the need for the exemption.

The installation process is designed to be quick and easy when you Install a Dash Cam (Standard Instructions). Dash cams must be mounted outside the driver sight-lines to the road, highway signs, and signals. If your fleet operates in the US, use the following recommendations for dash cam positioning on the vehicle windshield:

Note

The following recommendations do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own advisors.

Dash cams can be installed in either of the following positions:

Top-Mounted Positioning (Recommended): Optimal mounting position for inward-facing AI Event Detection accuracy. For instructions, see Top-Mounted Dash Cam Positioning.
Bottom-Mounted Positioning: Alternative mounting position. This positioning may impact the accuracy of inward-facing AI detection. For instructions, see Bottom-Mounted Dash Cam Positioning.

Best Practices

In addition to local regulations, note the following best practices and resources for dash cam placement:

Avoid dash cam obstructions. Ensure that the inward-facing view of the driver is free of obstructions. Any obstructions to the driver's line of sight will affect AI Event Detection. Review the best practices for the AI detection type you plan to use to ensure the placement is ideal for your use case.
Avoid driver obstructions. Do not obstruct the line of sight for drivers. Mount outside sight-lines to the road, highway signs, and signals.
Verify placement. To test positioning and verify placement, see Test Dash Cam Positioning.

Top-Mounted Dash Cam Positioning

Mount the dash cam at or above the driver eye level. Position the dash cam 8.5 inches below the upper edge of the windshield area swept by the windshield wipers.

For an angled window installation, the Samsara CM windshield shim creates a level plane for your dash cam.