By RAM Tracking on 6 Nov 2025
By Richard Blown, Chief Technology Officer, RAM Tracking
Dash cams are a vital tool for fleets of all sizes. They improve driver accountability and road safety, plus cut insurance costs.
However, there are many different types of dash cams to choose from. The right system will depend on the requirements of your fleet. Small delivery vans likely need different coverage than 40-tonne lorries.
In this guide, we’ll highlight everything you need to know about fleet dash cams to help you decide which is the right one for your business.
The first decision to make is deciding what camera coverage you need. More cameras mean better visibility, but this can lead to higher costs. Here's what each setup offers.
Single-camera systems record the road ahead and are the most affordable option. They’re great for small fleets that need simple, reliable incident footage.
Dual camera systems add an interior view, capturing both the road and driver activity. This helps determine what happened during an incident and supports driver training and accountability.
Multi-camera systems include side and rear cameras for full 360° coverage. This is ideal for larger vehicles like vans, lorries, and coaches that have blind spots.
Not all dash cams are created equal. The right features settle insurance claims faster, protect drivers from false accusations, and give you the tools to coach safer driving. Here's what matters.
High video quality: HD or Full HD footage ensures number plates and details are clear for insurance claims.
Night vision: Captures usable footage in low light or at night.
GPS vehicle tracking: Adds location data to every video for accurate reporting and route verification.
Collision detection: Automatically saves footage to an SD card before, during, and after an impact.
Remote access and live streaming: Lets you review incidents immediately without waiting for vehicles to return.
Driver behaviour monitoring: Alerts you to harsh braking, speeding, or unsafe driving habits.
AI-powered alerts: Detects mobile phone use, fatigue, or distraction in real time to prevent accidents.
Being able to access dash cam footage is crucial for fleets, particularly if an accident has occurred. Each approach has trade-offs you have to consider:
This is the most common storage option for fleet dash cams. It's simple to set up and is cheaper than its more technically advanced counterparts.
However, you need to manually retrieve footage from vehicles. This takes time and delays how quickly you can respond to incidents. SD cards can also fail or become corrupted, impacting your ability to access footage and, if a driver is involved in a serious incident, the card could be damaged or tampered with.
Cloud storage means footage uploads automatically via mobile data. You access it remotely from any device. As all data is stored securely in centralised servers, there isno risk of lost or damaged SD cards.
For fleet managers, cloud systems deliver significant advantages. You can review incidents within minutes, not days and insurance claims are processed faster. Compliance requirements are also easier to meet because footage is securely archived.
The real power of dash cams comes from integration. Connected dash cam systems work alongside GPS fleet tracking platforms. You see vehicle locations and video footage on the same screen. This means that when an incident occurs, you have complete context.
Choosing a dash cam which has compatibility with fleet management software also enhances monitoring capabilities. You track speed, routes, and fuel efficiency alongside video evidence. This combination reveals the complete picture of fleet performance.
Centralised dashboards streamline daily operations as everything you need is in one place. Vehicle locations, driver behaviour scores, and incident footage are all accessible from a single platform. This makes reporting simpler, as you can generate comprehensive reports by combining telematics data and video evidence.
Recording your drivers in vehicles creates legal obligations, as UK GDPR regulations apply to dash cam footage. You must have legitimate reasons for recording and handle data responsibly. Employee privacy rights require careful consideration.
Be transparent with drivers. Inform them before installation and explain how the footage will be used. You should also obtain written consent when required. We find that most drivers appreciate the protection that dash cams provide.
Control access carefully. Only authorised personnel should be able to view footage, so set clear policies about when recordings are reviewed. You should also only retain footage for as long as is necessary.
Use footage for coaching, not punishment. Focus on driver development and positive reinforcement rather than disciplinary action alone.
The right dash cam system should match your fleet size, vehicle types, and business goals. If your business uses larger vehicles you’d benefit from multi-camera coverage. For businesses on a tight budget, you might consider using SD dash cams at first, so you can see the value before making the investment into cloud-based cameras.
With RAM Tracking, you won’t have to guess what your fleet needs. Our specialists will assess your operation and recommend the right solution.
Ready to protect your fleet? Contact us for a personalised consultation or book a demo of RAM Live today.
Richard Blown is Chief Technology Officer at RAM Tracking, where he leads product innovation and technical strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in fleet telematics and connected vehicle technology, Richard has pioneered solutions that bridge the gap between theoretical safety improvements and practical business benefits.
His hands-on approach to product development ensures RAM's solutions solve real-world problems faced by fleet operators across the UK.
Do dash cams reduce insurance costs?
Yes, most insurers offer discounts for vehicles with dash cams. The exact saving varies but typically ranges from 10-15%. Faster claim settlements also reduce overall insurance costs.
Can drivers turn off the dash cam?
RAM Live dash cams are hardwired and therefore cannot be easily disabled. Our AI dash cams alert you if a driver is not visible, so you’ll know if it has been tampered with or disconnected.
What happens if there's no mobile signal?
Cloud-connected dash cams store footage locally until connection is restored. Footage then uploads automatically. You won't lose any recordings due to temporary signal loss.
Are dash cams difficult to install?
Our trained engineers will install dash cams in your vehicles to ensure they use the proper power supply and are positioned correctly.
Can dash cams help with driver training?
Absolutely. Footage provides concrete examples for coaching sessions. You can show drivers exactly what happened during incidents and demonstrate safer alternatives. Many fleets use dash cams as their primary driver development tool.
What's the difference between consumer and fleet dash cams?
Fleet systems are built for commercial use with better durability, cloud connectivity, and fleet management integration. They include features like remote access, automated reporting, and multi-vehicle management that consumer devices lack.
Discover our blog article on business vs consumer dash cams for more information.
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