Yes, dashcams are legal in Minnesota, provided they comply with state privacy and traffic laws. Minnesota Statutes §169.011 prohibits obstructing the driver’s view, while §169.06 mandates that recordings must not infringe on reasonable privacy expectations. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) has not issued specific dashcam regulations, but local courts defer to federal wiretapping laws and case precedent. As of 2026, no pending legislation targets dashcam use, though law enforcement agencies in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties have issued non-binding advisories on consent for in-car audio recording.
Key Regulations for Dashcams in Minnesota
- Obstruction of View Prohibition: Minn. Stat. §169.011 bars any device that impedes the driver’s forward or peripheral vision, requiring dashcams to be mounted below the AS-1 line (top of the dashboard) or behind the rearview mirror.
- Audio Recording Consent: Minnesota is a one-party consent state (Minn. Stat. §626.10), meaning in-car audio recordings are legal if at least one participant (e.g., the driver) consents, but third-party conversations may require disclosure.
- Data Retention & Sharing: Recordings may be subpoenaed in civil or criminal cases. The Minnesota Supreme Court’s 2024 State v. Jensen ruling affirmed that dashcam footage is admissible as evidence, provided chain of custody is documented. Local police departments in Duluth and Rochester have policies restricting public disclosure of dashcam data without legal justification.