FMVSS 111: Rear Visibility Requirements for Vehicles
FMVSS 111 is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard governing rear visibility on road vehicles in the United States. It specifies performance requirements for rearview mirrors and camera-based rear visibility systems, ensuring drivers have a clear and reliable view of the area behind their vehicle.
The standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and school buses. Since 2018, all new light vehicles sold in the US must include a rearview camera system that meets FMVSS 111 requirements.
What Is FMVSS 111?
FMVSS 111 is managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and defines the minimum performance requirements for rear visibility devices. It covers both traditional rearview mirrors and modern camera-based systems.
The standard was originally introduced in 1968 with a focus on rearview mirrors. As vehicle designs evolved and rear blind zones grew larger, NHTSA recognised that mirrors alone were insufficient for many vehicle types. In 2014, the standard was amended to include backup camera requirements, with mandatory compliance for all new light vehicles from May 2018.
The amendment followed data showing that backup-related crashes caused hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries annually, with children and pedestrians in residential driveways and parking areas among the most affected.
FMVSS 111 Requirements
FMVSS 111 requirements cover both mirror systems and camera-based rear visibility systems. The applicable requirements depend on vehicle class and design.
Rearview Mirror Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Field of view | Must display the adjacent lane and a defined distance behind the vehicle |
| Mounting and stability | Mirrors must remain fixed without excessive vibration while driving |
| Curvature | Convex passenger-side mirrors must meet defined radius tolerances to prevent distortion |
| Reflectivity | Must provide clear visibility under varying lighting conditions |
Rearview Camera Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Field of view | Must cover a continuous area extending 3 metres behind the rear bumper across the vehicle’s full width |
| Image response time | Display must activate within 2 seconds of shifting into reverse |
| Image quality | Must show a sharp, undistorted image without excessive lag |
| Durability | Must operate across a wide range of temperatures, vibration levels, and humidity conditions |
FMVSS 111 Test Procedure
FMVSS 111 compliance is verified through a defined test procedure covering the performance requirements for both mirror systems and camera displays.
For camera systems, testing evaluates the field of view by measuring coverage with defined targets at the rear of the vehicle. Image response time is measured from the moment of gear selection to display activation. Image quality is assessed under controlled lighting conditions including both low-light and high-contrast scenarios. Durability testing subjects the system to temperature cycling, vibration, and humidity exposure to confirm reliable operation throughout the vehicle’s service life.
Mirror compliance is tested by measuring field of view angles, surface reflectivity, and resistance to vibration-induced movement. Convex mirror curvature is measured against the specified radius tolerances.
Manufacturers are responsible for self-certification of FMVSS 111 compliance, with NHTSA conducting independent verification testing on vehicles selected from production.
Applications
Civilian vehicles. Every passenger car and light truck sold in the US since May 2018 must include a compliant rear visibility system. Backup cameras are now standard equipment integrated into infotainment displays on virtually all new vehicles.
Commercial and industrial vehicles. Heavy trucks, forklifts, and construction vehicles use extended mirror systems and multiple cameras to achieve compliance and improve operator awareness around large vehicles with significant rear blind zones.
Military and tactical vehicles. Armoured and tactical support vehicles frequently reference FMVSS 111 as a baseline for rear visibility even when not legally required to comply. In enclosed or armoured designs, camera systems are often the only practical way for operators to monitor surroundings during low-speed manoeuvring, and the rear of the vehicle is usually obstructed by stowage, spare wheels or equipment racks in a way it never is on a road car.
Our LED turn signal and brake light with integrated camera combines rear signalling and camera functions in a single unit, which matters on an armoured platform where every additional aperture in the hull is a design and cost problem. See also our LED rear lights range.
FMVSS 111 vs International Standards
| Standard | Region | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| FMVSS 111 | United States | Rear visibility via mirrors and cameras |
| UNECE R46 | Europe | Indirect vision devices including mirrors and cameras |
| ISO 16505 | International | Performance and testing of camera-monitor systems |
UNECE R46 and ISO 16505 are similar in purpose to FMVSS 111 but include additional criteria for digital display performance, colour accuracy and image latency. Vehicles sold in multiple markets may need to comply with more than one standard simultaneously, and the practical consequence is usually a camera specified to the stricter of the two rather than two different fits.
For a broader overview, our knowledge base covers FMVSS 108 for vehicle lighting, FMVSS 101 for controls and dashboard illumination, and DOT vs ECE vs SAE standards explained. For the regional frameworks either side, see US vehicle lighting regulations and EU vehicle lighting regulations.
Common Compliance Challenges
Meeting FMVSS 111 requirements can be complex, particularly for manufacturers adapting vehicles for specialised use.
Camera placement. Incorrect mounting height or angle creates blind zones that fail the required field of view.
Glare and contrast. Camera lenses and displays must perform consistently in both low-light conditions and direct sunlight.
Aftermarket modifications. Adding equipment racks, spare tyres or accessories to the rear of a vehicle can obstruct the required field of view, requiring camera repositioning to maintain compliance. This is the most common cause of failure on converted and up-armoured vehicles, because the conversion happens after the base vehicle was certified.
Durability in harsh environments. Cameras on vehicles operating in off-road, military or industrial environments must withstand vibration, salt exposure, high-pressure washing and temperature extremes while maintaining consistent performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Mirrors remain a requirement under FMVSS 111 for all applicable vehicle classes. The 2014 amendment added the camera system requirement on top of the existing mirror requirements rather than replacing them. Vehicles must meet both to be fully compliant.
FMVSS 111 does not specifically require infrared or night vision capability. The standard focuses on field of view, response time and image quality under defined test conditions rather than mandating a particular camera technology.
Infrared cameras may be used to meet the requirements provided they satisfy the performance criteria, and are increasingly used on military and tactical vehicles where low-light rear visibility is operationally important.
No. FMVSS 111 is a US federal standard and applies only to vehicles sold in the American market. Equivalent standards in other regions include UNECE R46 in Europe and the requirements of national type approval frameworks elsewhere.
Vehicles exported from the US or designed for multi-market sales may need to comply with both FMVSS 111 and the relevant international standard.
Not as a legal requirement. Military vehicles procured under government contract are generally outside the scope of federal motor vehicle safety standards, and are specified against the relevant military standards instead.
In practice FMVSS 111 is often referenced anyway, because it gives a defined and testable baseline for rear visibility, and because armoured vehicles have worse rear blind zones than the road vehicles the standard was written for. Where a vehicle will also be used on public roads, or sold to a non-military operator, compliance may become a genuine requirement rather than a reference point.