Is it legal for companies like Lyft, Grubhub, Postmates, Instacart, and Doordash to allow their drivers to install a dash cam in their vehicle? Let’s find out.
Are Dash Cams Legal in Commercial Vehicles?
Installing dash cams in commercial vehicles such as ridesharing, grocery delivery and food delivery vehicles is considered legal in America. A dash cam can prove to be useful for a ridesharing or delivery company. However, the companies and their drivers are required to abide by certain policies concerning its installation and use.
What are the Benefits of having a Dash Cam installed in Commercial Vehicles?
Dash cams installed in ridesharing or delivery vehicles can help drivers in situations where they need to prove they are following the rules and regulations. It also works as evidence to testify in times of need. The dash cam recordings can work as a witness in cases of accidents, fraudulent charges, or even as a proof for delayed delivery caused due to unforeseen circumstances.
The dash cam can keep on recording all the time, even when the vehicle is parked, or the driver can manually choose when to record.
Privacy Policies for Rideshare Drivers using Dash Cams
Dashcams usually record the outside of the vehicle, but many dash cams also record in-vehicle audio and video. The FPF (Future of Privacy Forum) and Uber have come up with certain guidelines regarding the usage of dash cams by ridesharing vehicles.
Drivers install dash cams in order to improve security, safety and answerability. The dashcams work as silent witnesses – it records footages of accidents, misconducts and other security and safety related mishaps (like robbery or burglary) inside or outside of the vehicle. However, the footages captured by dashcams can also pose a threat to privacy if misused.
To protect an individual’s right to privacy, all ridesharing vehicles must follow these guidelines:
- Giving passengers notice that they are under surveillance – Posting a notice on the vehicle stating the individuals that the interior of the car is under recording serves the purpose related to protection of privacy. The dash cam also needs to be mounted on a visible location.
- Recording only for reasonable purpose – It is necessary to inform the passengers beforehand as to why they are under surveillance and are being recorded. Also, the recording is to be kept until it’s required for the target purpose.
- Sharing of the footage – The video footages are to be shared with third party only for a valid reason that aligns with original purpose of recording the video.
- Usage of the footages – The passengers are surely to read the service’s privacy policy and community guidelines, and be aware of many rideshare companies which maintain policies against illegal circulation.
- Safeguarding and encrypting footages – Safe guarding dash cam footage is very important for maintaining passenger’s right to privacy.
- Deleting footage – The footage that has served its original purpose (mostly, as evidence), must be deleted.
Dashcam Laws for Rideshare & Delivery Vehicles
Irrespective of company policies, usage of dash cam and recording while driving may not be allowed depending on local regulations. While some states require proper signage for making the presence of a recording device known, other regions might not allow dash cam recordings at all. To know more about the dash cam laws in all 50 US states, read – https://besttruckdashcam.com/are-dash-cams-legal-all-50-states-explained/.
Doordash
Doordash Inc. is an American online food ordering and delivery company. Installing a dash cam in Doordash delivery vehicles is acceptable. It is almost essential to put up a dash cam for insurance reasons.
Grubhub
Grubhub Inc. is an American food ordering and delivery platform. The company is based in Chicago, and was founded in the year 2004.
Using a dash cam by a Grubhub delivery agent is allowed, as long as the dash cam does not hinder the driver’s view. It is also considered to make the time on road easier.
Instacart
Instacart is an American based retail company that operates in grocery delivery and pick up service. The company offers its service via its website and mobile based app. Instacart is based in San Francisco, California.
Instacart permits installation of dashcams.
Lyft
Lyft is an American transport service support provider which also maintains and operates a mobile app, offering vehicles for hire/rentals and food delivery. Dash Cams are allowed.
Postmates
Postmates is a food delivery service company founded in 2011, which was acquired by Uber in 2020. It is a California based company that works as local delivery partner of restaurant prepared meals and other goods.
Using dash cam is allowed at Postmates, and is considered helpful.
Dashcams for Rideshare & Delivery Vehicles
- ELD Mandate Smart Dash Cam
Features – The dual facing dashcam records both – the road ahead and interior of the vehicle simultaneously. It automatically locks the file and sends it to the portal if collision sensitivity is met. All files can be accessed over a period of 2 years. The dashcam also provides loop recording.
Price – $ 259
- Pruveeos’s Dual Dash Cam
Features – High quality cameras, capturing both interior and front of the car, and provides loop recording.
Price – $ 80
- Anker ROAV Dual Dash Cam
Features – Has in-built GPS that automatically records rideshare or delivery drive route. The dual camera system records the interior and front of the vehicle.
Price – $ 75
- Vantrue N4 3 Channel 4k Dash Cam
Features – This 3 way dash cam records the interior of the vehicle, road ahead and road back simultaneously. It also ensures clear night vision.
Price – $ 239.99
- CammPro (body cam)
Features – Works just like a dash cam for motorists (for delivery purpose). It clips on to the driver’s clothes and the video it captures is more steady.
Price – $ 150
