Camera-monitor systems (CMS) are increasingly replacing traditional side mirrors in vehicles, allowing for flexible camera placement. The latter usually does not correspond to the virtual eye-point provided by conventional mirror positions. While such placements can offer practical advantages, they may also challenge the drivers’ ability to perceive spatial and perspective-related information. Our research shows that a horizontal displacement of the camera – either forward or backward along the vehicle – does not significantly affect performance in a time-to-contact (TTC) estimation task, whereas the visibility of a reference (such as a part of the own vehicle) significantly reduces estimation errors. Building on these findings, we also investigate how a horizontal displacement of the camera influences drivers' ability to deduce the camera position from the perspective shown in the monitor, particularly when no reference is visible. Implications for the design of camera-monitor systems will be discussed.