Mandatory Dash Cams for Commercial Vehicles

Summary#

This bill would require most commercial vehicles in British Columbia to have a forward-facing dashboard camera that records whenever the vehicle is being used. It sets a basic rule and lets the government add detailed requirements later by regulation. If passed, it would take effect six months after it becomes law.

• Owners (or lessees for leased vehicles) must install and maintain a dash cam in each commercial vehicle.
• Drivers must make sure the camera is on, recording, and not blocked whenever the vehicle is operating.
• The camera is defined as forward-facing only; the bill does not require inward-facing video or audio.
• The government (Cabinet) may set more detailed rules or exceptions by regulation.
• The bill does not specify how long video must be kept, who can access it, or any penalties for breaking the rules.

What it means for you#

• Commercial vehicle owners and lessees

  • You would need to buy, install, and maintain a forward-facing dash cam for each covered vehicle.
  • If the vehicle is leased, the lessee (not the owner) is responsible for meeting the requirement.
  • You may need new policies and training so drivers check cameras before trips and keep them unobstructed.
  • The bill does not set rules for video storage or sharing, so you may need your own practices until regulations are made.

• Drivers/operators

  • You must ensure the dash cam is working, recording, and not blocked while you are operating the vehicle.
  • You would likely add a quick camera check to your pre-trip routine.
  • The bill does not require a driver-facing camera or audio recording.

• Fleets and small businesses

  • Expect up-front costs to equip vehicles and some ongoing costs to maintain equipment.
  • Plan for the six-month window after the law is passed to bring vehicles into compliance.

• General public

  • Forward-facing cameras record the road in front of commercial vehicles on public streets.
  • The bill does not say who can view or use the footage. Current privacy and evidence rules would still apply unless regulations change them.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

• Private sector: Owners and lessees would bear costs to purchase, install, and maintain dash cams, and to train staff.
• Government: The bill does not include a public funding program or a cost estimate.

Proponents' View#

• Dash cams provide clear video evidence after crashes, which can speed up investigations and insurance claims.
• Cameras can protect professional drivers from false accusations and staged collisions.
• A uniform rule across commercial vehicles makes expectations clear and improves accountability.
• Forward-facing video can help identify hazardous spots on roads and support safety improvements.
• Letting the government set details by regulation allows for practical exceptions and technical standards.

Opponents' View#

• The mandate adds costs for trucking firms, bus operators, and small businesses that use commercial vehicles.
• The bill is silent on data ownership, access, and retention, raising privacy and liability concerns.
• It lacks technical standards (for video quality, storage, uptime) and does not spell out penalties or enforcement.
• Equipment can fail; drivers could be blamed for brief outages outside their control.
• The term “commercial vehicle” comes from another law and may not be clear to the public, creating uncertainty about who is covered until guidance is issued.