How to report bad driving with dashcam footage
A dashcam clip is the best thing you can attach to a report. It is also worth being honest about what footage does and does not do.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
The short answer
Save the clip straight away
Most dashcams record over old footage. Lock the file or copy it to your phone before it is lost.
Trim it to the moment
Keep a few seconds before and after. Make sure the number plate is readable.
Check the place and time
Dashcam clocks are often wrong. Write down the real time and place yourself.
Upload it with your report
Add the clip to your Padvark report, then report to the RTMC yourself.
If someone is in danger right now, call 10111 (police) or 112 from a cell phone.
What to record
Aim for the number plate, the road, the robot or sign if it matters, and the moment the driver did something wrong. A clear plate is worth more than a long clip.
If you use your phone, mount it, or let a passenger film. Never hold a phone while you drive.
Set your dashcam to loop recording with enough storage, and check the memory card now and then. When something happens, save or lock the clip straight away so it is not recorded over.
Mount the camera high on the windscreen, where it sees the road ahead and is not blocked by the mirror or a sticker. Check that the date and time are set correctly, and clean the lens if it looks smeared.
Keep other people private
Faces must not be shown, and we do not publish personal details about people in a clip. Our Content rules explain what can go up. If a report breaks them, a moderator will not publish it.
What footage can and cannot do
Footage supports a report, but it does not by itself lead to a fine, and we cannot promise any outcome. What the RTMC does with a report is explained on How it works.
The full steps are in how to report a bad driver in South Africa.
RTMC on WhatsApp: 083 293 7989 · National Traffic Call Centre (NTCC): 0861 762 847 (08617NaTIS)
Common questions
- Do I need a dashcam to report a bad driver?
- No. A number plate, the place, the time and a clear description are enough to make a report. Footage makes it stronger.
- Can I use a phone video instead?
- Yes, if it was filmed safely, by a passenger or from a mount. Never hold your phone while driving.
- Can I post footage that shows people's faces?
- No. Faces must not be shown. See our Content rules for what can be published.
- How long should I keep the original file?
- Keep the untouched original until the matter is finished, even after you have uploaded a trimmed copy.
Ready to report?
It takes a few minutes. Add the number plate, the place and the time, plus a photo or video if you have one.
