Wide angled car mirror

BCD

I'm taking my driving test in my own car later this month. The problem is that the left door mirror can't be adjusted for manoeuvres such as parallel parking. The mirror is electric, and it seems the wiring is faulty.

For normal driving it isn't a problem, as we can move it by hand. But for the manoeuvres, you obviously need to adjust the mirror to see the kerb.

I've been told by my instructor that it's best not to get out and adjust it, and it's a definite no no to lean over the examiners lap! He has advised me to get a wide angled blind spot mirror, like the ones instructors use.


I've found this one:
http://www.bestautobits.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=717

It's a fair price, but they want £3 for delivery! Do you know anywhere that I could get one from at a good price, please? I've tried ebay to no avail.

Halfords?

Ta.

goldspanners

in the good old days mirrors were only adjustable with manual toggles or as you do at the moment actually moving the mirror itself.
i dont see why that would be frowned upon by the examiner.
can you not just set the mirror up properly so you can use it for normal driving and manouvres?

BCD

I've tried to set it so I can use it for both, but it is rather stuck in it's current position.

Hintza

I might sound harsh here but....

I have never adjusted a mirror to see the kerb. Perhaps you need more practice to gauge width of car etc?

To be slightly more positive why not have it adjusted for the kerb and use your rearview and or glance over your shoulder if you need to. In my day that would be classed as a positive thing to do an examiner can miss your glances in the mirror otherwise.

Hope you dont find my reply too bad.

Good luck

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You don't need the mirror. Note the position of the kerb in your rear window through your rear view mirror (against a sticker for instance), and keep it there when turning.

mark55man

My instructor (ages ago) said you should set it up (by force if necessary) so you can use it for your reverse, and you don't need it for anything else really.

yes you wouldn't do it in real life, but this is not a typical day on the road an you nned to do what you have to

Thunderbird_2

Wilkonson do them for £1.99. Good luck with your test.

Inactive

mark88man wrote: »

My instructor (ages ago) said you should set it up (by force if necessary) so you can use it for your reverse, and you don't need it for anything else really.

yes you wouldn't do it in real life, but this is not a typical day on the road an you nned to do what you have to

Very bad advice, I would get a decent driving instructor, if the examiner spots that it is out of focus for normal driving, he/she will not be impressed.

If you cannot reverse around a corner properly without having the nearside mirror set up for the job, you simply are not ready to take your test.

lauren_1

You will get marked for adjusting mirrors once you have left the test center, I also have never met anyone who needs to see the kerb for reversing! Its such an odd thing to do...if you hit the kerb then you have gone too close.....if you stick out further than cars in front then your too far away....

Surely that cant be that hard to judge somewhere in between?

LandyAndy

Hintza wrote: »

I might sound harsh here but....

I have never adjusted a mirror to see the kerb. Perhaps you need more practice to gauge width of car etc?

To be slightly more positive why not have it adjusted for the kerb and use your rearview and or glance over your shoulder if you need to. In my day that would be classed as a positive thing to do an examiner can miss your glances in the mirror otherwise.

Hope you dont find my reply too bad.

Good luck

My thoughts as well.

When I were a lad we didn't have wing mirrors. It was a test of our skill as drivers to be able to perform these operations while looking where we were going .

cajef

As an ex driving instructor I can confirm that it is a definite no no to start adjusting mirrors while on a test, the mirrors should be properly set up before you leave the test centre and in fact the examiner will watch to make sure you check them and make any necessary adjustments before driving away.