Fatal Crashes Prompt Mandatory Dashcams for Semis in B.C.
- May 31
- 2 min read
New Reg for Truckers, Semis and Big Trucks Coming to B.C.
May 31 2026 - British Columbia is set to require forward-facing dashcams on large commercial vehicles to improve highway safety and provide clear evidence in collisions.
BC Conservative MLA Ward Stamer, who tabled the bill, stated publicly:
“This bill started with families along Highway 5 who have buried loved ones after preventable crashes. Dash cameras save lives. They hold drivers accountable. And they make sure that when a crash happens, the evidence is there.”
Stamer, the former mayor of Barriere, introduced the legislation following multiple fatal incidents on Highway 5 in the Kamloops–North Thompson region.
He has emphasized that the measure will also protect professional truckers, who are often not at fault in collisions.
Bill M217, the Dashboard Cameras in Commercial Vehicles Act requires forward-facing dashcams on commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 11,793 kg. That's essentially semis and heavy trucks.
The proposed law does not require driver-facing or interior cameras.
In a rare show of all-party solidarity, the bill passed third reading unanimously on May 26, 2026.
Before the bill becomes law it must receive Royal Assent from the Lieutenant Governor.
Once that happens, it becomes law and will come into force six months later (expected late 2026 or early 2027).
Detailed regulations on technical standards, enforcement, and penalties will be developed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Truck owners (or lessees, if the vehicle is leased) will have to install and maintain a compliant forward-facing dashcam.
The camera must be:
Recording continuously while the commercial vehicle is operating,
Not obstructed or prevented from recording in any way,
Minimum 1080p resolution (high-definition video),
With night vision capability,
Able to store at least 72 hours of recording.
All recordings must be handled in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and other applicable privacy laws.
How or when officials can access or seize footage remains subject to existing laws (including the Personal Information Protection Act, Motor Vehicle Act, and Criminal Code). The bill itself does not create new seizure powers.
Penalties for non-compliance (fines, out-of-service orders, etc.) have not been finalized yet.
They will be set in the upcoming regulations.
Out-of-province and U.S. carriers will have to comply while operating on B.C. highways.
The requirement applies to any qualifying commercial vehicle travelling in the province, regardless of where it is registered.
If the bill receives Royal Assent, British Columbia will becomes the first jurisdiction in Canada to mandate dashcams on commercial vehicles.
More details on technical standards, enforcement, and penalties will be released as regulations are developed.
Fatal Crashes Prompt Mandatory Dashcams for Semis in B.C.
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