Dashcams and Reversing Cameras in Melbourne: Rules and Fitting

This guide is for Melbourne drivers thinking about a dashcam, a rear camera or a retrofit reversing camera. It covers where Victorian guidance says cameras and screens can go, what the device rules mean while you're driving, recording audio, and how to wire it all so it doesn't flatten your battery.

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Why Melbourne drivers fit cameras

Melbourne roads have a few things most other Australian cities don't. Trams share lanes with cars across the inner suburbs, and drivers in the CBD make hook turns from the left lane at signed intersections. Add cyclists, car doors opening into traffic, busy freeway merges and tight laneway parking, and it's easy to see why so many drivers want a record of what happened if there's a dispute.

Reversing cameras earn their keep too. Older terraces in Richmond, Collingwood and Carlton often come with narrow rear laneways, low fences and tight garages, while newer estates in the outer growth areas have small driveways close to footpaths. A camera helps, as long as you still use your mirrors and look over your shoulder.

Where Victorian guidance says a camera can go

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning publishes Vehicle Standards Information sheet VSI 29 on fitting equipment within the driver's field of view. It covers dashcams, GPS units and reversing camera screens in vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes GVM. In summary, it says:

• Devices must be securely mounted and must not create a hazard for occupants or block the driver's view.
• Keep them out of airbag deployment zones, including near the A-pillars where curtain airbags may deploy.
• Nothing should block the driver's view of the road ahead beyond a short distance in front of the car.
• Driver's aids and toll tags may go in the tinted band at the top of the windscreen.
• A dashcam is best placed behind the rear-view mirror, where it sees the road without blocking your view.
• Route cables so they don't block your view or become a hazard, and don't cover the speedometer.

Screens and the device rules while you drive

Victoria tightened its rules on devices in vehicles in 2023, and the details depend on your licence type. For fully licensed drivers, a mounted device must sit in a holder that's commercially made for the purpose and fixed to the car the way the maker intended. Built-in and mounted screens can be used for things like navigation and audio, and the official guidance lists vehicle cameras among the driver assistance functions you may briefly use. Watching video, scrolling and viewing images are not allowed while driving.

Learner and P-plate drivers have stricter rules. They must not touch a mounted device at all while driving, even when stopped at lights, so set up anything you need before you leave. Check the current rules for fully licensed drivers and for new and young drivers before you rely on a screen.

The practical answer is simple. Pick a dashcam whose screen turns off while you drive, set it up while parked, and leave it alone on the road.

Recording audio and privacy

Most dashcams record sound as well as video. Victoria has surveillance devices laws that cover recording private conversations, and the rules for audio are not the same as for video of a public road. If you carry passengers, especially for work, the simple approach is to switch audio recording off or tell people the camera records sound. If you're unsure how the law applies to your situation, get proper legal advice.

Also think about where footage ends up. Keep clips you might need for an insurance claim or police report, and be careful about posting other people's faces or number plates online.

Wiring a dashcam the tidy way

Plugging a dashcam into the cigarette lighter socket works, but the cable dangles across the dash and the socket may stay live when the car is off. A hardwire kit is neater. The cable tucks into the headlining and down the A-pillar trim, away from the curtain airbag path, and connects to the fuse box with an add-a-fuse tap. Our guide on where to put the fuse when wiring an accessory explains how to choose the right circuit.

Parking mode is the feature most people want, because it records bumps while the car is parked in a shopping centre or on the street. It also keeps the camera drawing power while the engine is off. A good hardwire kit has a low-voltage cut-off that shuts the camera down before the battery gets too low to start the car. If your car is parked for days at a time, set the cut-off on the high side, or turn parking mode off. Read why a car battery keeps going flat if you suspect the camera is draining it.

Retrofitting a reversing camera

A retrofit reversing camera has three parts: the camera, a screen, and wiring between them. The camera usually mounts near the number plate or on the tailgate. The screen can be a clip-over mirror monitor, a separate dash screen or an aftermarket head unit with a camera input. If you use a separate screen, mount it under VSI 29 like any other device.

The camera normally takes power from the reverse light circuit, so it switches on automatically when you select reverse. The tricky part on hatchbacks, wagons and SUVs is getting the cable through the tailgate hinge area without it chafing every time the tailgate opens. Utes and vans have their own challenges with long cable runs. Wireless kits avoid the long cable, but they can suffer from interference and lag, so test one before relying on it.

Crimp or solder every join and seal it, because joins near the rear of the car get wet. Our guide to crimping wire connectors shows how.

Getting a camera fitted

Fitting a camera is a good DIY job if you're comfortable removing trim and working near airbags carefully. If you'd rather not, an auto electrician can fit and hardwire it, often at your home or work. See our pages for inner Melbourne and the Hume to find help near you.

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Questions Melbourne drivers ask

Is it legal to have a dashcam on my windscreen in Victoria?

Victorian guidance (VSI 29) allows dashcams as long as they are securely mounted, don't block your view of the road, stay out of airbag deployment zones and have their cables managed. It suggests mounting behind the rear-view mirror, and allows driver's aids in the tinted band at the top of the windscreen. Check the current Department of Transport and Planning guidance before fitting.

Can I look at my reversing camera screen while driving in Melbourne?

Victoria's device rules allow fully licensed drivers to briefly use built-in or properly mounted screens for driver assistance functions, which include vehicle cameras. Watching video or viewing images is not allowed while driving. Learner and P-plate drivers have stricter rules about touching mounted devices. Check the Department of Transport and Planning device rules for your licence type.

Will a dashcam in parking mode flatten my battery?

It can, especially if the car sits for several days. Parking mode keeps the camera running while the engine is off. Use a hardwire kit with a low-voltage cut-off so the camera shuts down before the battery drops too low to start the car. If you only drive once a week, set the cut-off higher or switch parking mode off.

Should I turn off my dashcam's audio recording?

It's worth thinking about. Victoria has surveillance devices laws covering the recording of private conversations, and audio is treated differently from video of a public road. If you carry passengers, turning audio off or telling them it records sound is the simple approach. If you're unsure how the law applies to you, get legal advice.

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