The installation recommendations for the Motive AI Dashcam Plus are designed to be quick, repeatable, and globally applicable, ensuring that the system can accurately detect unsafe conditions and driving behaviours on the road and in the cab.
Overview
To assist customers in the UK with installing the AI Dashcam Plus, Motive has developed a set of recommendations informed by the following official guidance:
- United Kingdomʼs Department for Transport: Windscreen obscuration guidelines
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA): Inspection manuals for Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) and cars and light commercial vehicle
We recommend that you review these guidelines carefully.
| Note: Motive can not give its customers advice on their legal rights and obligations related to their use of Motive products, including in relation to complying with laws that govern how a dashcam can be mounted in a vehicle you drive, and the recommendations in this document are not to be considered legal advice. Fleets should consult their internal compliance and legal teams for advice on their legal rights and obligations related to their use of Motive products. |
Understanding Windscreen Visibility Zones
To evaluate whether items attached to the windscreen obstruct the driverʼs view, UK inspectors divide the windscreen into three distinct visibility zones.
Zone A
Zone A is the most sensitive; it is a vertical band, 350 mm wide on heavy goods vehicles, centred directly in front of the steering wheel and located within the area swept by the wipers. Only very small obstructions are tolerated in this zone, and anything protruding more than 10 mm into it is considered a defect.
Zone B
Zone B encompasses the remainder of the wiper-swept area, excluding Zone A. The rules here are slightly more flexible. Items such as stickers or devices may enter this area as long as they do not extend more than 40 mm into the driverʼs field of vision and do not meaningfully interfere with forward visibility.
Zone C
Zone C consists of all parts of the windscreen that fall outside the wiper-swept region. This is the least restrictive area; obstructions are generally acceptable in this zone unless they noticeably limit the driverʼs ability to see the road or surrounding traffic. Throughout all zones, the underlying requirement remains the same: the driver must retain a full, clear view ahead, and anything that restricts that visibility can be considered non-compliant.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, responsible for establishing the standards applied in the Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection, confirms that Motiveʼs AI Dashcam Plus is considered a driver monitoring system (DMS) which can be mounted in the swept area providing it does not significantly reduce the view in front. Furthermore, the DVSA confirmed that anything mounted above the eyeline of the driver would not be considered during the inspection.
Best Practices for Motive AI Dashcam Plus Mounting
To ensure optimal AI Dashcam Plus functionality, follow the recommendations below:
Avoid obstruction of outward view
- Do not install the camera where it blocks the driverʼs direct line of sight to the road, signs, or traffic signals.
- Ensure the outward-facing lens sits entirely within the wiper-swept area, but outside the driverʼs primary forward visibility zone.
Avoid obstruction of the inward-facing camera
- Sun visors, rear-view mirrors, and dashboard protrusions should not interfere with the inward-facing lens.
- When in doubt, verify position using the check camera view in the Motive Fleet App.
Cable Management Safety & Reliability
- It is crucial that cables are never draped or routed where they could obstruct the driver's view of the road or critical instruments.
- Securely tuck or route all cables away from moving parts and potential pinch points to prevent damage and maintain a professional installation.
Motive Recommended Mounting Locations
Heavy Goods Vehicles HGVs
- Heavy goods vehicles have large windscreens with substantial areas within the wiper-swept region but outside the driverʼs direct eyeline, providing flexibility in choosing a compliant mounting position. For Motive installations, the upper-middle area of the windscreen is the recommended location for the dashcam. This position keeps the device outside the critical visibility zones defined by UK regulations while ensuring a clear view of both the road and the driver.
- When using the upper-middle position, installers should confirm that the sun visor does not obstruct either lens. In vehicles with a central visor, it may be necessary to adjust or remove the visor to maintain a clear inward-facing view.
- This simple placement approach helps ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining optimal camera performance during everyday operation.
Light goods vehicles LGVs and small commercial vehicles
- For LGVs and smaller commercial vehicles, the upper-middle portion of the windscreen again typically offers the best mounting location. This placement keeps the dashcam out of the driverʼs primary forward sightline while still enabling a clear capture of the roadway and cabin. Installers should verify that neither the rear-view mirror nor the sun visors interferes with the inward-facing lens. A quick camera check —using the Motive Fleet app or Fleet Dashboard—can confirm that the camera has both a clear forward view and an unobstructed view of the driver.
To ensure compliance, we recommend following the UK Department for Cars and Passenger Vehicles manual. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the manual.
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