Most dash cams take ten minutes to fit with the 12V plug, or a bit longer to hardwire for parking mode. Get the position and cable route right and it'll be invisible from the driver's seat.
Published 11 October 2026 · Last updated 11 October 2026
1. Pick the spot: behind the mirror
BlackVue, Nextbase, Garmin and Thinkware all point you to the same place: high on the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror, where it won't block your view. Nextbase suggests just behind the mirror on the passenger side for most cars and avoiding the black dotted (frit) band. Garmin adds: make sure the wipers clear the glass in front of the lens and avoid tinted areas.
Clean and dry the glass before sticking the mount on. Keep the legal limits in mind — see our UK dash cam laws guide.
2. Choose how to power it
Hardwiring means swapping a fuse for the kit's fuse tap and earthing it to bare metal. Nextbase says a switched (ignition-live) fuse won't drain the battery, while parking mode needs a permanent-live fuse — and advises a qualified installer choose the fuse. Thinkware says its hardwiring cable must be fitted by a trained mechanic.
| Option | Good for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| 12V socket plug | Easiest; moves between cars | Uses your socket; usually no parking mode |
| Hardwire kit (fuse box) | Neatest; needed for most parking modes | Fuse-box work; installer advised if unsure |
| OBD cable | Plug-and-play parking power | Nextbase sees it as better for temporary setups |
3. Route the cable — and mind the airbags
Tuck the cable into the gap between the roof lining and windscreen, across to the pillar, then down the door weatherstrip to the footwell. BlackVue's guidance is clear: never run cables across side-curtain airbags — route them behind the airbag housing and keep away from deployment zones.
Keep cables away from pedals and controls, and don't let them hang into your view.
4. Set it up before you drive
- Insert a U3 endurance microSD card and format it in the camera.
- Set the date and time (GPS models usually do this automatically).
- Check the view: the bonnet edge low in the frame, the road ahead level.
- Turn audio recording on or off as you prefer — and off by default in work vehicles.
Sources
Checked 11 October 2026. Rules change — follow the links for the current wording.