How to Install a License Plate Rear Camera

What a license plate rear camera does

A license plate rear camera is a small camera that mounts to the back of your vehicle using a bracket attached to the license plate frame. It connects to a dash cam at the front of the car with a video cable, giving you a separate view of traffic, pedestrians, and conditions behind you. This type of mount is popular because it is easy to reach, does not require removing interior panels around the rear window, and places the camera close to the plate.

Compare this option with other rear camera mounting styles before you choose. A rear-window camera is simpler to route but has to look through glass. A bumper or trunk-lid mount is less visible but often needs more cable work. See the rear camera mount types guide to decide which placement fits your car, then look at front and rear dash cams to find a model that includes a wired rear camera.

Before you start

Check the mounting hardware that came with your rear camera. Most license plate kits include a bracket, small screws, and sometimes a replacement plate frame. The camera body should fit behind or beside the plate without covering the plate number or the plate light. If the bracket forces the camera too far forward, the lens may catch the plate light or the bumper when the trunk opens.

Park on level ground and open the trunk to plan the cable path. You want the cable to leave the camera toward a trunk grommet, the rubber boot that carries wiring from the trunk lid into the cabin. If your kit uses a screw-in bracket, keep the screws and wrench in reach. If you need a more flexible position, consider a bumper or trim mount instead.

Mount the camera on the license plate frame

Hold the bracket against the plate frame and check that the lens is level and has a clear view of the road behind the vehicle. The camera should not point at the bumper or at the sky. If the kit includes a frame spacer, use it to keep the camera from pressing against the plate.

Use the existing plate bolts when possible. Loosen them just enough to slide the bracket tab between the bolt head and the plate, then retighten by hand. Do not overtighten: plastic brackets can crack, and stripped bolts are hard to replace. If the bracket has its own capture screws, follow the kit instructions and check that the camera stays fixed when you close the trunk.

• Position the bracket so the camera lens is level and unobstructed.
• Slide the bracket behind one or both plate bolts.
• Retighten the bolts gently and confirm the bracket does not move.
• Run the cable from the camera toward the closest trunk grommet.

Route the cable through the trunk lid

The hardest part is moving the cable from the trunk lid into the car without pinching it. Look for a rubber grommet or flexible boot near one of the trunk hinges. Carefully work the cable through the same gap as the factory wiring. Use a plastic trim tool or a coat hanger with tape to pull the cable through if the hole is tight.

Leave a small loop of cable inside the trunk lid so the lid can open and close without stretching the wire. Do not pull the cable taut. If the plastic boot has a slit, feed the cable through the slit and seal it with electrical tape if you want to keep water out. Keep the cable away from sharp metal edges, moving hinges, and the latch mechanism.

Route the cable inside the cabin

Once the cable enters the trunk, tuck it under the trunk trim, along the floor edge, and under door sills toward the front of the car. Use a plastic trim tool to lift the trim panels slightly instead of forcing the cable through gaps. In many cars you can run the cable behind weather seals and under the A-pillar trim, but stay clear of side curtain airbags: do not place the cable in front of an airbag deployment path.

If the rear camera plugs into the front dash cam, the connector usually has a locking tab. Route the cable to the dash cam, connect it firmly, and then tidy the slack with clips or cable ties. Do not bend the connector at a sharp angle. The same routing skills apply when you route the power cable for a front camera.

Connect and adjust the rear camera

Start the car and open the dash cam menu to check the rear channel. Most wired rear cameras turn on as soon as the front unit receives power. If the image is upside down or mirrored, use the rear camera image setting to rotate or flip it. See rotate or flip the rear camera image for the menu option.

Adjust the camera angle while a second person watches the screen or while you check the live view in the mobile app. The goal is a level horizon with the bumper visible at the bottom edge. Fine-tune the bracket by loosening the pivot screw, moving the lens, and tightening it again. A stable image is more useful than a wide view that includes the sky.

Test and inspect the installation

Close the trunk and walk around the vehicle to confirm the camera does not block the plate, plate light, or trunk handle. Then drive the car short distances and check the rear view from the front display. Listen for rattles and watch for image flicker that may indicate a loose connector or a pinched cable.

You can also set up the rear camera to display on demand. Many dash cams with a rear channel can show that view when you shift into reverse, which makes the camera act like a backup camera. Read use the dash cam as a backup camera for tips on enabling that mode.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not zip-tie the cable to the trunk torsion bars or route it through the same hole as the latch cable without leaving slack. Do not mount the camera so the lens stares directly into the plate light at night, because lens flare can wash out the image. Also avoid mounting the bracket over the plate number in a way that makes the plate hard to read.

If the camera mount does not fit your vehicle, do not force it. Use a different rear camera mount style instead. Some cars have no trunk grommet large enough for an extra cable; in that case, compare mirror dash cams with different mounting layouts or consult a professional installer.

• Pinching the cable in a hinge or latch.
• Blocking the plate or the plate light.
• Overtightening plastic brackets.
• Routing the cable in front of an airbag.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I install a license plate rear camera without drilling?

Yes, most license plate brackets let you slide the camera behind the existing plate bolts, so no drilling is needed. Just make sure the bracket does not cover the plate number or the plate light. Check local rules if you have any doubt about plate visibility.

Where should I route the rear camera cable?

Run the cable through the trunk grommet, under the trunk trim, along the floor edge, and under door sills toward the front dash cam. Leave a small loop near the trunk hinge so the cable does not stretch when the trunk opens and closes.

Will a license plate camera block my plate?

It should not if you position the bracket beside or below the plate number. Before finishing the install, walk behind the car and confirm the plate is fully readable. Keeping the plate light unobstructed also helps nighttime image quality.

Do I need a separate power cable for the rear camera?

Usually not. A wired rear camera receives power and video through the cable that connects to the front dash cam. Some wireless rear cameras only need their own power supply, but a wired connection is generally more reliable and simpler to set up.