My opinion on backup cameras is that it is a helpful tool, but should not be the sole source of seeing behind you. Distances are harder to judge with a camera and does not give you a full field of view. So if you are only staring at the camera you can easily hit something outside of the camera's view. You need to balance watching your mirrors, the camera, and good old fashion looking backwards. If you only use one, you increase the chances of you hitting something. So if you have been relying on the camera too much, then yes, backing up will be harder. But if you have trained properly, backing up should not be significantly harder with or without a camera.

People have been reversing for a century without cameras. And maybe horse buggies before that. You have to practice and learn. Just like piano or anything in life. I'm disappointed that your driving instructor even let you use a camera.

I drive a full size van. No camera. Rear visibility is abysmal. Over time the the dimensions become second nature to you, and the vehicle becomes an extension of your body. I can parallel park into spots barely bigger than my van like nobody's business. (Not to mention mountain top forest service roads on cliffs and canyons, but that's not expected of everyone). Side view mirrors are your best friends.

Do you want to get good at maneuvering? Try this: Find some big cardboard boxes tall enough to reach your bumper and go out to an empty parking lot. (like a mall after closing time). Cover up your camera, pretend your boxes are cars or obstacles, and setup various real world scenarios, and just practice them over and over. Reversing into stalls, parallel parking etc.  You'll need one box to simulate one corner of each "vehicle" though. That way you can see them in your side-view mirrors. Pay close attention to exactly which you moment you need to start turning the steering wheel, and how much.

Do this too: set up your boxes spaced apart just enough for your car to fit through. Maybe a foot extra on each side. Then take a run at them and drive through the gap without hitting the boxes. Start slow but work up to at least 35mph. Then do it in reverse.

Be master of your machine. It could save your life or someone you love some day.

If you can't, you shouldn't be driving. I mean that with all due respect. But it is the truth.

The camera is an aid, just as blind spot monitors are. But you still are supposed to turn your head and look. 

When I'm in my cars, I never really use the cameras. Now I do use them religiously in the showroom to park cars as close as possible and maximize space, but that's in a controlled environment where I know there is zero risk of an unexpected event. Out in the world, you don't want to be staring at your backup camera when you get T-Boned by the guy in the truck who was too busy Facetiming his broskis about how he is headed to the gym to see you backing out. 

Head on a swivel at all times and expect others to be the worst drivers imaginable. That's the best way to stay safe.

It depends how bad visibility is towards the rear of the car. A lot of newer cars have terrible visibility back there. On the other hand in a convertible with the top down it's no problem. 😎    (I've never owned a car that had a backup camera.)

It’s not that hard, easy for me to say.  Two of my 3 cars don’t have a backup camera and the 3rd that does I just ignore it and rely on my turning head back and eyes.  Some cars like Chuck said can be harder to back up in.  Like anything in life just keep practicing and you will nail it.  I would say parallel parking is much harder than backing up without a camera.

What happened to good ‘ole judgement??

Now, if you’re talking about safety of kids, animals, etc, that’s a different discussion.

But if you can’t reverse a personal vehicle without a backup camera, @doc has some bad news for you..

I pride myself in not needing technology to help me drive a damn car. 

But I did get hooked on one technology, and it wasn’t a backup camera. It was the radar and beeps from my BMW X5. It felt like an extra limb. Of course I used my mirrors and took a look. But getting in to tight spots was so much easier with the radar and those beeps. 

I got so hooked that it was harder to backup in other cars after I no longer had the C5. 

As for backup cameras, my 99 accord has terrible visibility in the back. No camera either. So I learned the hard way to back up. 

Cameras make it easier. But I can do it without one if necessary. 

Not only can people back up a vehicle without a camera, some say there are people who can shift gears, steer their cars and apply their brakes without ANY electronic/electric/hydraulic assistance (though this may be a rumor).

Generally it’s quite easy,

on some wagons with a tiny rear window it can be a very slightly difficult, but you can just install ultrasonic sensors they’re cheap and they give you all the info you really need.

on my car I never use the reverse cam because the rear window is almost as big these my windshield so I have a clear view of where I’m backing up🤣

I have a back up camera and I love it but backing into a spot you still use your mirrors and look over your shoulder the camera is only for seeing how close you are to what’s behind you when your already in the spot .  Definitely not a tool for all reverse operation 

Is this question some kind of joke?

If ur worried and your car doesn't have backup camera you can always buy for $30 to $100

I learned to drive in a Ford Expedition (full size SUV) that had no modern techs like backup camera and BSM. It was easy. Use your eyes and neck muscles.

The best backup visuals are in your side mirrors

I've been driving for 40 years and have yet to own a car with a  back up camera. 

Ford drivers 😛  

Backup cameras are very useful today: from the novice driver to the experienced driver. They help us see what is behind us. Backing up in general without one- on some of the cars from the 80s, 90s and older than that, most of the cars sold at the time had good visibility because the technology like that was not available so they had to design a way to make backing up easy for everyone. It is not that hard to backup without a camera; it just depends on the visibility of the car that you are driving.

i didn't even have mirrors in my first vehicle!

of course, it was a 60 ton, M-48 tank! {pear}:laughingoutloud: