{"id":41351,"date":"2026-03-09T20:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T07:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/?p=41351"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:18:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T02:18:39","slug":"dashcam-quick-reference-for-employers-and-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/dashcam-quick-reference-for-employers-and-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Dashcam quick reference for employers and drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An employer&#8217;s Privacy Act 2020 obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dashcam footage is personal information<\/strong> under the Privacy Act 2020. Your employer (as PCBU) must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Have a clear purpose<\/strong> for collecting dashcam footage (e.g., fleet safety, incident investigation, insurance claims)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tell drivers<\/strong> that dashcams are installed and how footage will be used<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Store footage securely<\/strong> with appropriate access controls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Retain footage only as long as necessary<\/strong> (typically 30-90 days unless flagged for investigation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Respond to access requests<\/strong> from individuals who appear in footage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key point:<\/strong> Dashcam systems must be set up and managed by your employer, not installed ad hoc by individual drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preserving footage after an incident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most dashcams automatically overwrite old footage. If something happens, you need to preserve it <strong>immediately<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 1: Report to your supervisor\/dispatch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As soon as it&#8217;s safe to do so<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>State that dashcam footage needs to be preserved<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide: time, date, location, approximate duration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 2: Follow your company procedure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Common methods include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flagging<\/strong> the file on the dashcam system (if your system allows)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Downloading<\/strong> to SD card or USB (if instructed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emailing\/messaging<\/strong> details to fleet management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Completing<\/strong> an incident report form that triggers footage review<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEP 3: Don&#8217;t edit, delete, or alter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep footage <strong>complete and unedited<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t trim out &#8220;irrelevant&#8221; parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t add commentary or text overlays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Full, unaltered footage has evidential value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Timeline matters:<\/strong> Most dashcams overwrite footage within 24-72 hours. Report and preserve <strong>the same day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4b3a1576cd1&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4b3a1576cd1\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"740\" height=\"413\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-740x413.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-740x413.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-1536x857.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/dashcam-quick-reference-2048x1143.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What dashcams can do as evidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dashcams are extremely useful when incidents occur and it&#8217;s a he-said\/she-said scenario. Whether the driver is the victim of road rage, or inadvertently involved in a crash of someone else&#8217;s doing, a camera could clear up arguments. Of course, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/course\/road-rage\/\">training on how to respond to road rage<\/a> would be important in some scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2713 Dashcams CAN:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Provide timestamps and GPS data<\/strong> showing when and where an incident occurred<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Show the sequence of events<\/strong> leading up to an incident<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corroborate your account<\/strong> of what happened<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protect you<\/strong> from false accusations if you weren&#8217;t at fault<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be used by Police<\/strong> as evidence in traffic prosecutions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support insurance claims<\/strong> by showing the circumstances of a collision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Document aggressive behaviour<\/strong> from other road users (tailgating, brake-checking, threats)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2717 Dashcams CANNOT:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Guarantee your version is believed<\/strong> &#8211; footage is open to interpretation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Capture everything<\/strong> &#8211; blind spots, lighting conditions, and camera angle limitations mean some details may not be visible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Replace witness statements<\/strong> &#8211; human observations still matter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Show what happened before<\/strong> you started driving (if camera only records while vehicle is running)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Record audio reliably<\/strong> &#8211; many dashcams have poor audio quality; don&#8217;t rely on audio alone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dashcams record your behaviour, too<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Critical reminder:<\/strong> If there&#8217;s an incident and footage is reviewed (by your employer, Police, or in court), <strong>your driving will be scrutinised<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The dashcam will show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your speed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your following distance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether you indicated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether you were distracted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your reaction times<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any aggressive manoeuvres you made<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dashcams are not just for catching other people. They&#8217;re a reason to drive well, every time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Submitting footage to Police<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re reporting a road rage incident or traffic offence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Report to Police<\/strong> (111 for emergencies, 105 for after-the-fact)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tell them you have dashcam footage<\/strong> and would like to submit it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Follow their instructions<\/strong> &#8211; they may:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide a file reference number for you to upload footage online<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Request you email a copy (they&#8217;ll provide an address)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask you to bring the SD card to a Police station<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Include key details:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your name and contact information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>File reference number (if you were given one)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Date, time, and location of the incident<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brief description of what the footage shows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t post it on social media first.<\/strong> Submitting footage to Police for evidence and posting it publicly are different things. If you want it taken seriously as evidence, submit it formally first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Report incidents immediately<\/strong> to preserve footage before it&#8217;s overwritten<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Don&#8217;t edit or alter<\/strong> footage \u2014 keep it complete and unaltered<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Follow your company&#8217;s procedure<\/strong> for flagging and preserving footage<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Remember dashcams record you too<\/strong> \u2014 drive professionally at all times<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Submit footage properly<\/strong> to Police if you&#8217;re reporting an incident<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2713 <strong>Dashcams are evidence<\/strong>, not proof \u2014 they support your account but don&#8217;t replace it<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Questions about your company&#8217;s dashcam policy?<\/strong><br>Ask your supervisor or fleet manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Questions about submitting footage to Police?<\/strong><br>Call 105 (non-emergency) for guidance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An employer&#8217;s Privacy Act 2020 obligations Dashcam footage is personal information under the Privacy Act 2020. Your employer (as PCBU) must: Key point: Dashcam systems must be set up and managed by your employer, not installed ad hoc by individual<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/dashcam-quick-reference-for-employers-and-drivers\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41608,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41351"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41609,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41351\/revisions\/41609"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drivingtests.co.nz\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}