Best dash cams for taxi & private hire drivers
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A good dash cam is close to essential for private hire work — it protects you against false claims, captures incidents, and a cabin-facing camera adds a layer of personal safety. Many councils now expect (or are moving towards) in-vehicle CCTV, so it's worth getting right. Here's what matters when choosing, and the categories most drivers buy.
What to look for
- Front + rear at minimum, ideally a third interior (cabin) camera with infrared for night.
- GDPR compliance: if you record passengers you must display a clear notice and handle footage responsibly. Check your council's CCTV policy.
- Good night performance — most of your incidents will be after dark.
- Parking mode if you want protection while the vehicle is unattended (needs a hardwire kit).
- A high-endurance SD card — ordinary cards wear out fast under continuous recording.
Front + rear dual-channel dash cam
The baseline for any driver: records the road ahead and behind. Look for 1440p front, clear night performance and a wide field of view.
Typical price: £60–£150
3-channel with cabin (interior IR) camera
Best for taxi/PHV: adds an infrared interior camera to record inside the cab in the dark — useful for disputes and personal safety. Make sure you display a passenger notice for GDPR.
Typical price: £90–£250
Parking mode dash cam (hardwire kit)
Records while parked using a hardwire kit with battery protection — handy for overnight protection. Budget for professional fitting or a hardwire lead.
Typical price: £80–£200
High-endurance microSD card (128–256GB)
Standard SD cards fail under constant recording. Use a 'high endurance' card sized for a full shift of loop recording.
Typical price: £15–£40