Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dashcam Laws: Mounting Rules, Audio Recording, and Evidence (2026)
Dashcams are legal in Wisconsin and no state law prohibits their use. Video recorded on public roads is permitted, and under Wis. Stat. 968.31, Wisconsin's one-party consent statute, a driver may record in-vehicle audio of any conversation they are part of. Mount the camera to avoid obstructing the windshield.
Dashcams are legal and widely used in Wisconsin. The state has no specific dashcam statute, so their use is governed by traffic safety laws, the one-party consent wiretapping statute (Wis. Stat. 968.31), and federal regulations.
Are Dashcams Legal in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin does not prohibit dashcam use. No registration or notification is required.
Windshield Mounting
Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. 346.88) restricts objects on windshields that obstruct the driver's view. Mount your dashcam behind the rearview mirror or in a corner.
Audio Recording and Consent
One-Party Consent
Wisconsin is a one-party consent state under Wis. Stat. 968.31. Your presence in the vehicle satisfies consent for audio recording. You can record passenger conversations and traffic stop audio without informing anyone.
The exception does not apply when recording is for criminal or tortious purposes.
Unattended Recording
If your dashcam runs while you are absent, you are no longer a party. Disable the microphone for parking mode.
Dashcam Footage as Evidence
Modified Comparative Fault
Wisconsin follows a modified comparative fault system under Wis. Stat. 895.045. A plaintiff cannot recover if 51% or more at fault. Dashcam footage is critical for establishing fault percentages.
Admissibility
Footage is admissible in Wisconsin courts when authenticated under the Wisconsin Rules of Evidence as genuine, unaltered, and relevant.
Commercial Use
Fleet operators use dashcams for safety and FMCSA compliance. Rideshare drivers can use dashcams with one-party consent.
Law Enforcement
You have a First Amendment right to record police during traffic stops. Wisconsin's courts have recognized this right.
Penalties
| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield obstruction | Wis. Stat. 346.88 | Traffic citation |
| Audio recording without consent | Wis. Stat. 968.31 | Class H felony: up to 6 years, $10,000 fine |
Civil damages under Wis. Stat. 968.31(2m) include actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.
More Wisconsin Recording Laws
Audio Recording | Video Recording | Voyeurism Laws | Workplace Recording | Recording Police | Phone Call Recording | Security Cameras | Recording in Public | Landlord-Tenant Recording | Dashcam Laws | School Recording | Medical Recording
Back to Wisconsin Recording Laws
More Wisconsin Recording Topics
More Wisconsin Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tell passengers my dashcam records audio in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin one-party consent (Wis. Stat. 968.31) allows recording when you are a party.
Can dashcam footage be used in Wisconsin courts?
Yes. Footage is admissible when authenticated as genuine and relevant.
Where should I mount my dashcam?
Behind the rearview mirror or in a corner. Wis. Stat. 346.88 restricts windshield obstructions.
Can my dashcam record while parked?
Video is fine. Audio when absent could violate wiretapping law. Disable the microphone.
Can police order me to turn off my dashcam?
No. The First Amendment protects recording police in public.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 2 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 346: Rules Of The Road
§ 346.88Obstruction of operator’s view or driving mechanism.In forcecited in 4 of our articles
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, or any persons so situated, as to obstruct the view of the operator to the front or to the sides or as to interfere with the operator having free use of both hands and feet to the operating mechanisms or controls of the vehicle. (2) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such a position as to interfere with the operator’s view ahead or to the sides or to interfere with the operator’s control of the operating mechanism of the vehicle. (3) (a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, front side wings, side windows in the driver’s compartment or rear window of such vehicle other than a certificate or other sticker issued by order of a governmental agency. Such permitted sticker shall not cover more than 15 square inches of glass surface and shall be placed in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield; the left corner being on the driver’s left when seated behind the wheel.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Also relied on in: Dashboard Camera Legality and Privacy Laws: Is It Illegal to Use Dashcams in North America?, Windshield Mounting Restrictions by State (2026 Guide), Wisconsin Windshield Mounting Laws
Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 968: Commencement Of Criminal Proceedings
§ 968.31Interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communications prohibited.In forcecited in 19 of our articles
(1) Except as otherwise specifically provided in ss. 196.63 or 968.28 to 968.30, whoever commits any of the acts enumerated in this section is guilty of a Class H felony: (a) Intentionally intercepts, attempts to intercept or procures any other person to intercept or attempt to intercept, any wire, electronic or oral communication. (b) Intentionally uses, attempts to use or procures any other person to use or attempt to use any electronic, mechanical or other device to intercept any oral communication. (c) Discloses, or attempts to disclose, to any other person the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication in violation of this section or under circumstances constituting violation of this section. (d) Uses, or attempts to use, the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication in violation of this section or under circumstances constituting violation of this section.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Also relied on in: One-Party Consent States: Complete 2026 Guide, Wisconsin Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties (2026), Wisconsin Landlord-Tenant Recording Laws: Cameras, Surveillance, and Privacy (2026)
Search our full record of US law — 1.79 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Wis. Stat. 968.31 - Interception of Communications(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 346.88 - Windshield Requirements(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 895.045 - Comparative Fault(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- FMCSA(fmcsa.dot.gov).gov
- NHTSA(nhtsa.gov).gov