Are dash cam and accident data recorder the same thing?

Yes. "Dash Cam" and "Accident Data Recorder" refer to the same car part. Other common names include Accident Data Recorder, Event Data Recorder. The part is the same regardless of which name is used.

Will a dash cam drain my car battery?

A dash cam running in parking mode draws a small amount of current. Most hardwire kits include a low-voltage cut-off that disconnects the dash cam when the battery drops to approximately 11.8 V, preventing a flat battery. Without a cut-off, parking mode should be limited to a few hours.

Is a dash cam legal in the UK?

Yes. Dash cams are legal in the UK provided the camera does not obstruct the driver's view through the windscreen. Mount the camera behind the rear-view mirror within the wiper-swept area. Footage can be used as evidence in insurance claims and police investigations.

What microSD card should I use in a dash cam?

Use a card rated Class 10 (C10) or UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) with a capacity of 32–256 GB. Standard consumer cards degrade faster under the continuous write cycles a dash cam demands. Some manufacturers specify proprietary endurance cards — follow the camera manufacturer's recommendations.

Does a dash cam need to be declared to my insurer?

You should mention a dash cam to your insurer. Some insurers offer a small premium discount for vehicles with dash cams. More importantly, if you make a claim using dash cam footage, the insurer needs to know it was fitted and active.

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Key features to look for in a dash cam

Resolution and low-light performance are the most important technical factors. Full HD (1080p) is the minimum useful resolution for reading number plates; 2K and 4K models offer sharper detail but generate larger files and require faster, higher-capacity microSD cards. Night-vision performance depends on sensor size and aperture rather than resolution alone — compare sample night footage before buying.

Resolution: Full HD 1080p as minimum; 2K/4K for clearer plate identification
Wide angle lens: 140°–170° field of view captures the full road width
Low-light sensor: Sony Starvis or similar for clear night recording
Loop recording: automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the card is full
Emergency lock: G-sensor detects impact and protects that clip from being overwritten
GPS: logs speed and location data alongside video footage
Parking mode: records or takes snapshots when the car is unattended

Single-channel vs dual-channel dash cams

A front-facing dash cam covers the most common collision scenario — a rear-end incident where you are stationary. A dual-channel (front + rear) system also records tailgating and rear-impact events, which account for a significant proportion of road traffic collisions. Dual-channel systems require a second camera to be run along the headlining or A-pillar to the rear, which adds installation time.

Single channel: lower cost, straightforward fitting, covers the most frequent incident type
Dual channel: front + rear protection, more comprehensive evidence in all scenarios
Some systems offer an interior-facing IR camera for ride-sharing and taxi use

Installing a dash cam in your vehicle

Most dash cams clip to the windscreen via a suction or adhesive mount. For a clean, permanent installation, hardwiring the camera to the vehicle's fuse box via a hardwire kit keeps the dashboard tidy and enables parking mode without draining a 12 V socket. The hardwire kit connects to a switched live (ignition-on) fuse for main recording and a constant live fuse for parking mode, with a voltage cut-off to protect the car battery from deep discharge.

Mount behind the rear-view mirror to minimise driver distraction
Route the power cable behind the headlining and down the A-pillar for a tidy fit
Use a hardwire kit for permanent installation and parking-mode capability
Use a Class 10 or U3-rated microSD card rated for sustained writes
Format the card in the camera regularly to prevent file-system corruption