Dashcams Required in BC Commercial Vehicles

Summary#

This bill would require most commercial vehicles in British Columbia to have a front‑facing dashboard camera that records whenever the vehicle is being driven. The goal is to create clear video evidence in crashes and traffic incidents.

• Commercial vehicles must have a working dash cam that records the road ahead whenever the vehicle is operated.
• Owners must install and maintain the camera; if the vehicle is leased, the lessee is responsible.
• Drivers must not block, turn off, or otherwise prevent the camera from recording.
• The provincial cabinet can set more detailed rules later (for example, exceptions or technical standards).
• The bill does not set rules for who can access recordings or how long to keep them.
• If passed, the law would start 6 months after it receives Royal Assent.

What it means for you#

• Commercial vehicle owners and lessees

  • You would need to buy, install, and keep a dash cam working in each covered vehicle.
  • You would be responsible for repairs, cleaning, and replacing storage cards so the camera records properly.
  • If leasing, the duty shifts to you as the lessee.

• Drivers and operators

  • You would need to make sure the camera is on and not blocked while driving.
  • You may need to check that the lens is clean and the device is powered and recording before trips.
  • The bill only requires an outward‑facing camera, not a camera inside the cab.

• Fleets (trucking, buses, taxis, delivery, and other vehicles classified as commercial under provincial law)

  • Fleet policies may need updates on camera use, storage, and sharing footage.
  • You may face costs to equip all vehicles, train staff, and handle maintenance.

• Crash victims and other road users

  • There would likely be more video evidence available after collisions, hit‑and‑runs, or near‑misses.
  • You may appear more often in videos taken from commercial vehicles on public roads.

• Privacy and data handling

  • The bill does not say who owns the footage, who can see it, or how long to keep it. Other laws and any future regulations would guide this.

Expenses#

Estimated ongoing cost to businesses that own or lease commercial vehicles; government enforcement costs are unclear.

• Upfront costs for businesses: typical front‑facing dash cams range from low hundreds of dollars per vehicle, plus installation if needed.
• Ongoing costs: memory cards, occasional replacements or repairs, and staff time to check cameras.
• Large fleets could face significant total costs because they must equip every covered vehicle.
• Government: the bill does not include a budget. Any enforcement or regulation work would fall to existing agencies. No publicly available information on provincial costs.

Proponents' View#

• More safety and accountability: constant video helps explain what happened in crashes and can deter dangerous driving.
• Faster, fairer claims: clear footage can speed up insurance decisions and reduce disputes.
• Protects drivers: video can defend professional drivers against false accusations.
• Helps police: footage can aid investigations of hit‑and‑runs and other traffic offences.
• Simple standard: an outward‑facing camera is a modest, common tool that many vehicles already use.

Opponents' View#

• Cost burden: buying, installing, and maintaining cameras could be hard for small businesses and independent operators.
• Privacy worries: constant recording of public streets raises concerns about how footage is stored, shared, or misused.
• Missing rules: the bill is silent on data ownership, retention, access by police or insurers, and penalties for non‑compliance.
• Practical issues: cameras can fail due to weather, damage, or power problems, creating compliance risks for drivers.
• One‑size‑fits‑all: not all commercial vehicles or routes face the same risks, so a blanket mandate may not be necessary.