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In most US states you can use a backup camera on the road test, but not instead of looking. Examiners expect mirror checks and a turn of the head over your shoulder every time you reverse. Self-parking and other features that steer, brake or hold speed for you are a different matter: California, Nevada, Arizona and several other states ban them during the test. This guide sets out each state’s published rule, as of November 2026.
Key facts
- Backup cameras: allowed in most states that address them, as an aid only.
- Automatic parking: banned or must be off in California, Maryland, Minnesota, Kentucky, Washington, West Virginia, Delaware and New York, among others.
- Adaptive cruise control: not allowed in California, New York or Iowa, and Nevada bans cruise control.
- Georgia lets you test in a car with driver-assist technology, but you must show you can drive without it.
- Not addressed? Ask the examiner before you start, and practice with every feature off.
Can you use a backup camera on the driving test?
Usually yes, but the camera can’t be the only thing you use. Nevada’s handbook says drivers should not become complacent and dependent on rear cameras, and lists what safe backing looks like: side mirrors, rearview mirror, over-the-shoulder head checks, and the camera if fitted. California, Colorado, Kentucky and Wisconsin say much the same.
The penalty for relying on the screen is real. West Virginia takes points for relying solely on the camera, and Pennsylvania examiners watch for your mirror and over-the-shoulder checks.
Backup camera and parking assist rules by state
| State | Allowed | Not allowed or must be off |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Backup cameras and parking sensors, as aids only | Ask the testing site |
| Arizona | Ask the testing site | Driver assistance systems, including auto-drive and parking assistance. Maneuvers must be done manually |
| California | Backup cameras and blind spot monitors, but not instead of looking | Automated parking, lane departure features and adaptive cruise control |
| Colorado | Backup cameras, blind spot alerts and lane departure warnings; they don’t replace physical checks | Ask the testing site |
| Delaware | Backup cameras not addressed: ask | Parking assist, including Intelligent Parking Assist, must be off |
| Florida | Ask the examiner about the rest of the test | The backing maneuver is done without relying on mirrors or the camera |
| Georgia | Advanced driver assistance technology may be fitted | You must show you can drive without it |
| Indiana | Backup cameras are exempt | All other driver assistance technology, and interior cameras, must be off |
| Iowa | Safety features such as backup cameras | Convenience features such as adaptive cruise control |
| Kentucky | Backup camera, with mirror and shoulder checks | Parking assist. You must parallel park without assistance |
| Maryland | Backup cameras and audio backup warnings | Automatic parking |
| Massachusetts | Backup cameras, parking sensors and self-parking features don’t have to be switched off | Ask the testing site |
| Minnesota | Backup camera allowed, but not as your only check when backing | Parking assist, including for parallel parking |
| Nevada | Cameras as an aid to mirrors and head checks | “Certain safety features such as parking assist, cruise control, etc.” |
| New Jersey | Installed backup cameras and parking sensors | Ask the testing site |
| New York | Backup warning, backup and surround cameras, parking sensors, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision and lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist | Adaptive cruise control and automatic parallel parking. The examiner checks you didn’t rely on the technology |
| Pennsylvania | Ask the testing site | Don’t depend on a camera when parallel parking |
| Washington | Ask the testing site | Parallel parking must be done without parking-assist features |
| West Virginia | Camera as an aid only | Relying solely on the camera costs points; hands-free parking features must be off |
| Wisconsin | Camera, but not as your only check | Ask the testing site |
In Louisiana, Maine and North Dakota, ask the testing site about cameras. Ohio says to ask the exam station whether self-parking and other driver-assist features must be switched off.
Which features count as “driver assistance”?
New York’s split is the clearest model. Features that warn you are usually fine. Features that do the driving are usually banned.
| Usually allowed (warns or shows) | Often banned (steers, brakes or holds speed) |
|---|---|
| Backup camera, surround-view camera | Automatic or self-parking (parallel and perpendicular) |
| Parking sensors and backup beepers | Adaptive cruise control |
| Blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert | Cruise control of any kind (Nevada) |
| Forward collision and lane departure warnings | Lane departure features that steer (banned in California) |
Lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking sit in between. New York allows them; California bans lane departure features; Indiana wants all driver assistance off except the backup camera. When in doubt, switch it off and ask.
How to prepare if your car has driver-assist features
- Find out how to turn each feature off. Check the owner’s manual for self-parking, lane keeping and cruise settings.
- Practice every maneuver with them off. Parallel parking, backing in a straight line and three-point turns should feel normal with a blank screen.
- Build the head-check habit. Before and during every reverse: mirrors, then over the right shoulder, then a glance at the camera. Examiners watch your head, not the screen.
- Tell the examiner at the start what the car has, and ask which features to disable.
- Consider another car if yours can’t switch a banned feature off. See which car you can use for the road test.
Maneuver technique: how to parallel park, backing up on the road test and three-point turns.
What the examiner looks for when you reverse
- Mirror checks before you move.
- Turning your body and looking through the rear window. Wisconsin says to back no faster than a slow walk and to look through the rear window, not only at mirrors or the camera.
- Checking both sides as the front of the car swings.
- Control: slow speed, no curb strike, stopping when told.
Hitting a curb or another object during a maneuver is a fail in several states. See common reasons people fail the US driving test.
Common questions
Can I fail for using my backup camera?
Not for using it where it is allowed, but you can lose points or fail for relying on it. West Virginia takes points for relying solely on the camera, and Florida’s backing maneuver is done without relying on it.
Do I have to cover the camera screen?
None of the states listed here asks you to cover it. Indiana asks for interior cameras to be off, which is a different thing (cameras recording inside the car).
Can I use parking sensors on the road test?
New Jersey, New York, Alaska and Massachusetts allow them. Elsewhere, ask the examiner.
Is self-parking allowed anywhere?
Massachusetts says self-parking features don’t have to be switched off. Most other states that address it ban it. Plan to park yourself.
What about a car with a 360-degree camera?
New York lists surround cameras as allowed. Treat it like a backup camera everywhere else: a check, not a substitute.
Can I use cruise control on the highway part of the test?
No in Nevada, and adaptive cruise is out in California, New York and Iowa. Control your speed with your foot.
More test-day rules: road test day checklist and US road test by state. Start your state’s route at learning to drive in the USA.
Sources
- California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook: The Testing Process” (dmv.ca.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Section 3: Testing Information” (dds.georgia.gov)
- Nevada DMV, “Nevada Driver’s Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024)” (dmv.nv.gov)
- New York State DMV, “Road test” (dmv.ny.gov)
- Maryland MVA, “Behind-the-Wheel Tests” (mva.maryland.gov)
- New Jersey MVC, “Road Test” (nj.gov)
- Arizona Department of Transportation, “Road Tests” (azdot.gov)
- Indiana BMV, “Driver’s Manual” and skills exam pages (in.gov)
- Iowa DOT, “Prepare for Your Driving Test” (iowadot.gov)
- Kentucky State Police, “Driver Testing” (kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov)
- Minnesota DPS Driver and Vehicle Services, “Road Test” (dps.mn.gov)
- Minnesota DPS Driver and Vehicle Services, “Minnesota Driver’s Manual” (June 2026) (dps.mn.gov)
- Massachusetts RMV, “Road Test” (mass.gov)
- Delaware DMV, “Road Test” (dmv.de.gov)
- Washington State Department of Licensing, “Drive test” (dol.wa.gov)
- West Virginia DMV, “Driver’s Licensing Handbook” (dmv.wv.gov)
- Wisconsin DMV, “Motorists’ Handbook” (wisconsindot.gov)
- Colorado DMV, “Drive Test” (dmv.colorado.gov)
- Alaska DMV, “Road Test Information” (dmv.alaska.gov)
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Official Florida Class E Driver License Handbook” (flhsmv.gov)
- PennDOT, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual (PUB 95)” (pa.gov)