What model year did backup cameras become mandatory?
In the United States, backup cameras became mandatory on all new light vehicles starting with the 2018 model year.
The requirement comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111. NHTSA finalized the rule in 2014, mandating a rear-view image display to aid drivers when reversing. The 2018 model year is the first year in which all new cars, trucks, and SUVs must include a rear-view camera as standard equipment.
Timeline and regulatory milestones
What happened and when, from proposal to universal adoption.
What the rule requires
The rule specifies that new vehicles must include a rear visibility system that provides a view of the area behind the vehicle, typically through a display in the dashboard or mirror, when the vehicle is in reverse.
- 2014: NHTSA issues a final rule under FMVSS 111 establishing the rear-visibility requirement and a display for drivers reversing.
- 2018: Compliance deadline; model year 2018 and later vehicles must be equipped with a rear-view camera.
- Before 2018: Many vehicles offered rear cameras as optional features, but it was not universal.
The timeline demonstrates a gradual shift toward universal adoption, culminating in a firm 2018 deadline for new vehicles.
Impact for buyers and the market
How the change affected what people buy and how cars are designed.
The practical effects for buyers and the industry include:
- All new light vehicles sold in the U.S. from model year 2018 onward must include a rear-view camera as standard equipment.
- Most models provide a display that shows the area behind the vehicle when in reverse, helping with backing and parking.
- Older vehicles and some late-2010s models without cameras may require retrofitting or may be limited to used-vehicle purchases without the feature.
Beyond mere compliance, the feature has spurred additional parking-assist technologies and, in some cases, enhanced rear cross-traffic monitoring and 360-degree camera setups on higher trims.
Summary
The U.S. federal mandate culminating in the 2018 model year marked a major shift in vehicle safety design. Finalized in 2014, FMVSS 111 requires rear-visibility cameras to be standard on new light vehicles, a change that has influenced manufacturing, consumer expectations, and the used-car market.
Are reversing cameras mandatory in the USA?
In 2018, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated that all new vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds and are sold in the U.S. after May 1, 2018, must have backup cameras.
When were backup cameras common?
When did backup cameras become standard? Rearview monitors became popular over the course of the 2000s and early 2010s. As the technology got better, consumers began to like the feature and officials eventually advocated for it to be in all vehicles.
When did the US mandate backup cameras?
Backup cameras became mandatory in the U.S. for all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds manufactured on or after May 1, 2018. This rule was finalized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2014 and was designed to reduce accidents caused by vehicles backing up.
- Rule Finalization: The NHTSA announced the final rule in 2014.
- Implementation Deadline: The mandate went into effect for all new vehicles produced on or after May 1, 2018.
- Vehicles Included: The requirement applies to all new passenger cars, light trucks, and buses under 10,000 pounds.
- Reason for Mandate: The regulation was a response to the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 and aimed to prevent backover incidents, which often involve children.
Are cars legally required to have a backup camera?
Backup cameras have been required on all new vehicles in the United States since May 1, 2018. This rule was set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, often called NHTSA.
