Motorists are allowed by law to integrate rear view cameras in their rear view mirrors or mount a display on their dashboard. While a dedicated screen may provide a larger view, it requires getting used to. So for optimal use, motorists are advised to simply replace the mirror with a camera or divide the mirror to accommodate the rear view camera. However, this option will require an additional installation process and may cost more than mounting a display.
Motorists are choosing rear view mirror cameras because of their ease of use and dual functionality. While choosing a rear view camera, pay attention to the installation guideline to know where it can be installed.
The Legality Of rear view Mirror Camera According To Each State in the United States
It’s illegal to mount a device on the windscreen of your vehicle in some states, while other states give clear instructions on where and how to mount new devices in your car. Here are the legality of rear view mirror cameras according to each state in the United States.
| State | Legality | Remarks |
| Alabama | Legal | According to the state of Alabama, it is legal to integrate a camera into the rear view mirror or mount it on your dashboard. However, it isn’t illegal to have any other device on your windshield as it blocks the sight of the view of motorists. So avoid using a suction cup to hold your rear view monitor on your dashboard. |
| Alaska | Legal | According to the State of Alaska, any alien device mounted on your dashboard should be less than 5 inches, making the rear view mirror the best choice for motorists, which is also legal in the state of Alaska. |
| Arizona | Legal | The law of Arizona states no alien device should be installed or mounted in the view of the driver. But it is legal to have an integrated rear view mirror camera in both private and commercial vehicles. |
| Arkansas | Legal | No alien device should be installed behind the rear view mirror. The legal areas to mount a rear view camera are the dashboard and the rear view mirror itself. You can either integrate it into your rear view mirror or replace it. |
| California | Legal | California provides clear instructions on how to mount and use any video recording device in a vehicle. Anything above 7 inches should be mounted on the passenger’s side. Only monitors of 5 inches and below can be mounted on the driver’s side. But drivers can integrate rear view cameras into rear view mirrors. |
| Colorado | Legal | rear view mirrors can’t be metallic or reflective as it impedes the driver’s view. Hence, rear view mirror integration. |
| Connecticut | Legal | Connecticut prohibits the installation of non-transparent materials on the driver’s side. So, integration into the rear view mirror is the best possible option. |
| Delaware | Legal | Delaware law states that no device be mounted on the windshield of private and commercial vehicles. This makes mounting and rear view integration a good option |
| District of Columbia | Legal | Mounting any recording device on the windshield is illegal. So either integrate your rear view camera into a rear view mirror or mount it on the dashboard. |
| Florida | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Georgia | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Hawaii | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Idaho | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Illinois | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Indiana | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Iowa | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Kansas | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Kentucky | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Louisiana | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Maine | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Maryland | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Massachusetts | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Michigan | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Minnesota | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Mississippi | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Missouri | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Montana | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Nebraska | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Nevada | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| New Hampshire | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| New Jersey | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| New Mexico | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| New York | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| North Carolina | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| North Dakota | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Ohio | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Oklahoma | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Oregon | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Rhode Island | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| South Carolina | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| South Dakota | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Tennessee | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Texas | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Utah | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Vermont | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Virginia | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Washington | Legal | It is illegal to install monitors permanently in the windshield and dashboard. This means the only viable option is rear view mirror integration. |
| West Virginia | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Wisconsin | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
| Wyoming | Legal | Devices that obstruct the driver’s view are prohibited. Rear view mirror integration on the other hand is authorized. |
Conclusively, rear view mirror cameras are also legal in other countries. For instance, Canada adopted it in 2018, making it compulsory for all cars in the country to come equipped with a rear view camera, which can be integrated in the rear view mirror.
