Cabin camera
Tesla cabin camera driver monitoring, explained
The interior camera above your rearview mirror is what decides whether Full Self-Driving thinks you are paying attention. Here is what it looks at, when it complains, and how FSD Buddy fits into its field of view.
Where the camera sits
On Model 3 and Model Y the lens is set into the headliner directly above the rearview mirror, beside the SOS button. Its cone covers both front seats, which is why anything mounted on the headliner near the mirror lands squarely inside the frame.
What triggers the attention warning
- Head turned away from the road for more than a couple of seconds.
- Eyes obscured by dark or reflective sunglasses.
- Low light at night with no cabin illumination.
- Phone use, or a hand held in front of the face.
Ignore enough warnings in a drive and FSD issues a strike; collect five and the feature is suspended for the week.
Why blocking the lens backfires
A sticker or cover removes the signal entirely, and the car responds by disabling the features that depend on it. FSD Buddy keeps the lens unobstructed — it simply puts a steady, forward-facing head in the frame where the camera expects to find one.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cabin camera in a Tesla?
In Model 3 and Model Y it sits in the headliner just above the rearview mirror, next to the SOS button. Model S and Model X place it in the same overhead area.
What does the cabin camera actually check?
It estimates head pose and eye state to decide whether the driver is looking at the road. Looking down, wearing dark sunglasses, or a dim cabin can all lower that score and trigger the attention warning.
Does covering the camera work?
No. Taping over the lens makes the system fail closed and disables FSD features. FSD Buddy leaves the lens clear and gives it a forward-facing face to read instead.
Is the footage sent to Tesla?
Tesla states cabin-camera data is processed on-vehicle unless you opt into data sharing. Check the Software > Data Sharing settings in your car for the current behavior.
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