You can install a dash cam yourself in under an hour. Mount it high on the windscreen and plug it into the 12V socket. Tuck the cable into the trim, behind any airbags. You only need the camera, a memory card and the cable in the box. This guide covers mounting, power, hiding the cable and when to pay a fitter for hardwiring.
Can You Install a Dash Cam Yourself?
Yes. Most single dash cams plug into the 12V socket and stick to the windscreen. You can fit one at home in under an hour. You only need the camera, a memory card, and a little care with the cable. A rear camera takes a bit longer to route.
Start by choosing your setup. A front-only camera is the simplest option. A dual setup needs a second cable running to the rear glass. If you’re still deciding, read our guide on front vs rear dash cams first. Not sure a camera is worth it at all? See whether you need a dash cam.
Lay everything out before you start. Keep the camera, mount, cable, and card on the passenger seat so you are not climbing in and out of the car.
Where to Mount It So It Won’t Block Your View
Mount the camera high on the windscreen, near the rear-view mirror. That gives you a clear view of the road and keeps it out of your eyeline. Clean the glass first so the mount holds in the heat. For a rear camera, place it high on the back window.
Wipe the glass with a dry cloth where the mount will sit. If the surface is greasy, the mount can slip once the cabin gets hot. Press it firmly for a few seconds.
Keep the camera behind the mirror line so it does not block your view. In Sri Lanka, a blocked windscreen is also a safety issue in heavy traffic.
Angle the lens slightly downward so it catches the road and the car ahead. Check the live view on the screen before you lock in the position.
12V Socket vs Hardwiring to the Fuse Box
A 12V plug is the easiest choice. In most cars, the camera powers on with the engine. Some cars keep the 12V socket live when parked. Unplug the camera, or use a hardwire kit with a low-voltage cut-off. Hardwiring runs parking mode from the fuse box. It’s fiddly, so many drivers leave it to a fitter.
Most dash cams come with a 12V adapter in the box. Plug it in and the camera runs whenever you drive. Check your socket once. Park, switch off the engine and wait a few minutes. If the camera stays on, your socket is live, so unplug the camera when you park.
Hardwiring takes power straight from the fuse box. It lets the camera record while the car is parked and hides the power cable completely.
Most kits connect with a fuse tap, also sold as “add-a-fuse”. It plugs into an existing fuse slot and gives the kit its own fused feed. One wire goes to a fuse that’s live only with the ignition on (ACC). The other goes to a fuse that’s always live. The black earth wire goes to bare, unpainted metal on the car body.
Pick a kit with a low-voltage cut-off. It switches the camera off before the car battery runs too low. Get the fuses wrong and you can drain the battery. If you’re not sure, ask a fitter to handle that part.
Hiding the Cable Cleanly Around the Windscreen
Tuck the cable into the trim around the windscreen. Run it along the roof lining, then down the A-pillar to the socket. Many cars have a curtain airbag behind the A-pillar trim. Run the cable behind the airbag, never across its path, and clip it to the wiring already there.
Push the cable gently under the headliner edge. Then guide it down the passenger-side A-pillar. Keep it behind the airbag, away from the trim edge where the airbag opens. Use cable clips or tie it to the existing wiring so nothing hangs loose.
Leave a little slack near the mount so you can adjust the camera later. Not sure which card size to buy? See how long a dash cam records on each card. That guide also explains battery drain in parking mode.
Test everything before you finish. Start the car and confirm the camera records, then press the trim back into place.
Browse dash cams at Xclusive to find a model that fits your car and budget.
FAQs
Can I install a dash cam myself?
Yes. A front-only dash cam plugs into the 12V socket and sticks to the windscreen. Most drivers can fit one at home in under an hour. A rear camera takes a little longer because you need to route a second cable.
Is there a dash cam without wires?
Most dash cams need constant power, so they have a power cable. “Wireless” usually means the camera has Wi-Fi to send clips to your phone. A hardwire kit is the neatest setup. It hides the cable behind the trim.
Does a dash cam have to be wired into the car?
Not always. A 12V socket plug works for most drivers and needs no wiring. You only need hardwiring if you want parking mode to record while the car is off.