Apparatus and method for monitoring the immediate surroundings of a vehicle

An apparatus for monitoring the immediate surroundings of a vehicle displays on a display (30) within the vehicle cabin a captured image of the vehicle immediate surroundings captured by a camera (12) mounted on a back door (16) which can open and close. The apparatus determines whether the back door (16) is open based on a signal output from a back door courtesy switch (32). If it is determined that the back door (16) is open, a written notification that the back door (16) is open is superimposed on the display (30) showing the captured image from the camera (12). If it is determined that the back door (16) is not open, the written notification is not shown.