Driving with no driver's wing mirror?

elsien

Some kind person has knocked my drivers wing mirror off and it's not salveagable. Unable to get the garage to fit a new one till the start of January. (Can't wait till find a suitable replacement from eBay or breakers yard and wouldn't get it this side of Xmas anyway.)

Although I'm not keen on driving mirrorless anyway so will be avoiding doing so it set me wondering whether it was lawful carry on driving or whether I might get pulled over if spotted?

twhitehousescat

MOT Test of Mirrors – Visibility (3)
View to the rear
This section is now covered under the new general section ‘Visibility’ (3), which includes Windscreens, and is repeated in the relevant section on this website here.

The Tester will check that all mandatory rear-view mirrors or indirect vision devices provide an adequate view to the rear from the driver’s seat.

Indirect vision cameras may replace mirrors on some vehicles. If such devices are fitted, the camera(s) and the screen will be inspected.

Rear view mirrors and indirect vision devices can be any of the following positions:

an exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the offside of the vehicle
an exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the nearside of the vehicle
an interior mirror or device which provides a view to the rear of the vehicle

agrinnall

According to this https://www.insurethebox.com/low-mileage-insurance/legal-mirror-requirements


If the rear-view mirror is obscured then a vehicle first used after the 1st of August 1978 must have both of its side mirrors intact. Failing that, the vehicle must have an undamaged rear-view mirror in place, and a working driver’s wing mirror also. Mirrors which are intact must also be in a position which makes the road behind visible to the motorist.


A driver will be in danger of being stopped by police if they have no driver’s side mirror, as well as being at a higher risk of suffering personal injury in a crash or causing someone else harm due to having restricted view of their surroundings. A car without a driver’s side mirror will also fail an MOT.

AndyMc.....

It’s the only one you legally need.

Any of the other two can be missing on a car but drivers side is a must and therefore an offence to use without it.

AdrianC

If the vehicle was first registered after 1978, you need an offside exterior mirror.

You need a mirror in two of the three positions - offside exterior, nearside exterior, interior - but one of them MUST be offside exterior.


MOT tester manual - but that's just enforcing the Construction & Use regs:

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-3-Visibility.html#section_3.3

martinthebandit

Irrespective of the legalities it would be very irresponsible to drive without a drivers side mirror

onomatopoeia99

martinthebandit wrote: »

Irrespective of the legalities it would be very irresponsible to drive without a drivers side mirror

Unless you have a car that's over 40 years old, then it's not irresponsible, apparently

When driving the Imp, which only has an interior mirror, I just look over my shoulder when changing lanes or pulling out. I often do that as confirmation when driving my newer vehicles as well.

stator

I'm sure you can rig something up

You can get universal stick on wing mirrors.

AdrianC

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

martinthebandit wrote: »

Irrespective of the legalities it would be very irresponsible to drive without a drivers side mirror

Unless you have a car that's over 40 years old, then it's not irresponsible, apparently

<grin>

But, playing it straight, there's a basic principle that changes to vehicle legislation requiring new things aren't retrospective - so you don't need to modify old stuff to bring it up to modern standards.


Doesn't mean you can't choose to add a mirror, though...

When driving the Imp, which only has an interior mirror, I just look over my shoulder when changing lanes or pulling out. I often do that as confirmation when driving my newer vehicles as well.

A "life-saver" shoulder look is basic common sense anyway, because of blindspots.

Ant555

If you have a Halfords close by then I wonder if its practical to get one of those 'rear view' mirrors that they have when teaching learner drivers and stick that on the outside of your drivers side quarter light (if you have one).

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/interior-car-accessories/summit-suction-car-mirror

Not a permanent solution but, as its a mirror, it maybe legal enough to avoid any penalty.

Or, if there is anywhere on your broken one to attach it to - how about a bike mirror
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/mirrors-bells-and-horns/halfords-3-bike-mirror

AndyMc.....

AdrianC wrote: »

<grin>

But, playing it straight, there's a basic principle that changes to vehicle legislation requiring new things aren't retrospective - so you don't need to modify old stuff to bring it up to modern standards.


Doesn't mean you can't choose to add a mirror, though...



A "life-saver" shoulder look is basic common sense anyway, because of blindspots.

What about tyre tread depth?