I never had a lesson & don’t read. It’s never been a problem. The only time it ever could be is if you apply for a pro-gig job where sight reading is essential.
I’ve played with people who read and learned bits & pieces from them along the way. That’s the way good musical collaboration should work. It’s more a case of getting on with people than what you know. Most everybody in bands though, just busk.
In my main band, I probably know more chords & theory, but in the band I recently joined I am the only non-reader.
Now one of them is a music teacher, another is a music student, and the others all rely on written music in practice and on gigs. They won’t play without the music in front of them.
I made it clear to them from the outset that I learn & play by ear. They asked me to join despite this and I am accepted fully.
They do work differently of course, but it is not a problem. At practice they call across to each other “what have you got for bar 62?” (comparing chords & charts) or similar.
On the other hand the singer in my main band knows just a few basic guitar chords (only uses a guitar as an aid to song writing – not performance), and I get satisfaction helping him to realise his song ideas. I try to be encouraging to those who know less.
So it doesn’t matter what level you are or even how much you know. What does work is a mutual desire to make music together. With that, all barriers drop.
If you are unlucky enough to find an ***hole to work with, you may need to look further, but such people are few & far between in my 45 years of experience.
Jump in & go for it I say.