Can I use my phone as a dash cam?

Can you use your phone as a dash cam when driving? In short, yes – but there are a few things you need to know first.

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Dash cams provide peace of mind on the road, with the footage often able to offer reliable supporting evidence in the event of an accident.

If you don't want to splash some cash on a dash cam that lives in the car, another option is to turn your smartphone into a makeshift dash cam whenever you're out and about.

Apple and Android phones don't have built-in dash cam features, but you'll find plenty of options in the app stores. 

Two of the most popular dash cams apps are Nexar AI Dash Cam and Smart Dash Cam, which are both available on Apple and Android phones, but there are quite a few others to choose from.

Remember, the best dash cams don't just record video, they also keep track of all the extra information you'll need in the event of an incident.

The best dash cam apps use your phone's sensors to detect a collision and GPS to record the location.

They can also 'loop record', automatically deleting old recordings where nothing interesting happened, to ensure that your phone doesn't run out of storage space.

Remember, you can't hold your phone while driving. If you want to use your phone as a driver’s aid, such as for sat-nav, it needs to be in a hands-free cradle.

"The position of your mobile phone must not obscure the driver's view of the road," Queensland's Department of Transport states.

If you're still on your L or P plates, then you are not allowed to use your phone at all, not even in a cradle.

The definition of a 'driver's aid', however, varies by state – so be sure to check the specifics in your area.

Transport for NSW says: "A dash cam application can be considered as a driver's aid and therefore be used by motorists as long as they do not touch their phone while driving".

However, Vicroads says: "As it is not one of the permitted functions for mounted devices (304H of the Road Safety Road Rules 2017), using a phone app to enable use of a mobile phone as a dashcam would not be allowed".

You'll need a cradle that offers a good view of the road and doesn't cover the camera on the back of your phone.

You'll also probably need to plug the phone into a car charger, because dash cam apps chew through a lot of power (you might find your phone overheats on a hot day).

Some dash cam apps might not offer the same video quality and wide field of view that you'll get from a dedicated dash cam.

You also miss out on features like Park Mode, which allows dedicated dash cams to automatically record video when they detect a bump, even if you're away from the car.