At that place is no denying that having driver-aid features such as a backup camera makes your car significantly easier to drive. However, in the case of rearview cameras, these could give you a significant edge during a driving test. Equally a result, the question remains, are they legal to utilize during a driving test?

As you lot'd imagine, this isn't a simple case of yes or no. This comes down to the simple fact that various states across the U.S. take different stances on the issue. Notwithstanding, as new vehicles offering even 360-caste systems, having a newer car has some serious advantages.

Is using a fill-in camera illegal?

An image of a screen showing a backup camera.
Backup Photographic camera | THE DENVER POST/ ANDY CROSS

In curt, it depends. If you're going to have a driving test soon, you'll desire to look at your local laws before your test date. According to WFMY News ii, you cant utilise a backup camera during your driving test in the country of Massachusetts. Furthermore, you cant utilize a car that has 1 equipped to accept your test. Since well-nigh brand-new vehicles come with these as standard, y'all'd demand an older vehicle for the exam.

On the other manus, some states will allow you to utilise a car that has a backup camera equally long every bit it'south covered upwards or ignored. However, it is worth noting that these laws change as the auto industry shifts to embrace these driver-assist systems.

In the best-case scenario, you lot've got a state similar Texas. According to Government Technology, the state of Texas will let you to utilise your machine's backup photographic camera if it has one equipped. Additionally, you lot can even employ your car'southward proximity sensors besides. In short, anything your auto has equally standard equipment is fair game during a driving test.

Regardless, it is worth reiterating that your local laws may vary.

What about other systems?

An image of a physical backup camera on a car.
Backup Camera | Getty Images

RELATED: A Backup Photographic camera Doesn't Automatically Improve Safety


Every bit mentioned earlier, mod cars take more than just a clever backup camera. However, systems such equally proximity sensors are far rarer than cameras. This is because these sensors are often sold every bit optional extras, non standard equipment. Every bit y'all might imagine, this creates a double-edged sword scenario. Since these systems are rarer, there aren't clear laws banning them like there are for cameras. As a outcome, your state might permit y'all to employ them.

During most of your driving test, your fill-in photographic camera won't even play a major office. However, lane-keep assist systems might. Since most of these driver-assist features work in the groundwork, there are much harder to spot than a photographic camera. Additionally, nearly of these systems include bling-sport monitoring, which drivers can't simply plough off either. In short, having these systems gives test-takers a considerable edge.

This is i system you cannot apply in all states

An image of a screen showing a backup camera.
Backup Camera | Getty Images

If your car has an advanced backup camera and sensor system, chances are information technology will offer the power to parallel park automatically. As you lot might imagine, this is a system that can't be used under any circumstances.

In case you're thinking of using this arrangement sneakily, it is worth noting that information technology beeps loudly equally the car looks for the empty spot. You might fifty-fifty get a warning on the dash telling yous to release the wheel. Every bit a event, you'll want to get those parallel parking skills ironed out before you have the test.