California enacted SB 506, which revised Vehicle Code Section 26708 to allow dash cameras and vehicle safety technology devices on commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds as long as they comply with federal placement rules permitting devices up to 8.5 inches below the upper windshield edge, effective January 1, 2026, according to the California Legislature. The law aligns California's windshield obstruction standards with federal FMCSA regulations for commercial motor vehicles, resolving a gray area that previously left operators uncertain about mounting legality.
Operator takeaway
If you run trucks over 10,000 pounds in California, you now have statutory permission to mount dashcams — running without cameras is betting your defense on memory alone.