Seeing what is behind and beside your car helps you drive more carefully. You can still have an incredible visual range while on the road if your car has a rearview mirror and one side mirror. However, is it still legal to continue driving with a broken mirror or a missing one?
Side mirrors are vulnerable to accidental damage due to their location and stick out of the car’s body.
Sometimes an accident can make your side mirror dangle loosely from the car or break it off; therefore, making your side mirrors defective for everyday driving.
You need to understand if you can still legally drive if you have a broken or missing side mirror. Here’s what you should know:
Can You Drive Without a Side Mirror?
It’s best to address a basic question before getting to the legal technicalities. For example, can you drive without a side mirror?
The answer to the above question is a tentative yes because whether or not you can drive with one or both side mirrors missing or broken largely depends on your driving skills. However, it’s best not to because side mirrors offer safety features while driving and overtaking.
Driving without side mirrors makes it nearly impossible to maneuver your car on the road safely. Side mirrors are designed to give you visibility of up to 200 feet behind your vehicle, which is critical when switching lanes, overtaking, turning, and parking.
You could drive with a broken side mirror or no side mirrors at all and experience no issues at all, especially if you’re driving a modern vehicle. Most modern cars are equipped with a large display screen on the dashboard that can show you live feed from your exterior camera system. This feature lets you see the side, back of your vehicle, or both.
However, driving without a side mirror is illegal except in a few states. Some states might require just the left-side mirror, while others require all exterior and interior mirrors.
Are Side Mirrors Required by Law?
The answer to this question depends on which state you’re driving in. For example, some states require both side mirrors to be present and functional; however, it is considered legal in some states to drive with just one side mirror when it’s complemented by a second one, like a rearview mirror.
Some states require side mirrors if the rare window is obstructed. For example, statutes from Mississippi, Maine, Missouri, and Massachusetts state that you require at least one mirror that shows a clear view of the rear and left side of the vehicle. This is required if the view from the rear window is obstructed by cargo or a trailer (if towing).
Other states only require at least one of the side mirrors and a rearview mirror. All states requiring at least one exterior mirror mention the left or driver-side mirror. This requirement is often followed by a statement, “along with either a center mirror or right side mirror.”
The left side mirror should always be present to give the driver a view of the highway for at least 200 feet and a clear reflection of the cars approaching from the rear and the left side.
Here are some states’ side mirror laws:
Alabama
In Alabama, side mirrors are not required. However, you should have a minimum of one mirror, which can be on the windshield or side mirrors. The mirror must be able to see at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Alaska
In Alaska, you require either a left mirror, a center mirror, or a right-side mirror. If the view from the center mirror is obstructed, your vehicle must have a right-side mirror. Additionally, your mirrors must be maintained and in pristine condition.
Arizona
In Arizona, you’re only required to have side mirrors if the view from the center mirror is obstructed. Mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
California Side Mirror Laws
California requires drivers to install a left-side mirror whether the cars are new or not. Additionally, drivers should also have either a right-side mirror or a standard rearview mirror.
Connecticut
Side mirrors are not required in Connecticut. However, the driver must have a clear view directly behind the vehicle or on a line parallel to the left side of the body. Therefore, a left-side mirror is required if the center mirror is obstructed.
You can either have a left-side mirror or a center mirror. However, a center mirror is optional if you have a left-side mirror. A right-side mirror is not required at any time.
Florida
Side mirrors in Florida are only mandatory if the view from the center mirror is obstructed. Mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
Georgia Side Mirror Laws
In Georgia, side mirrors are only required if the view from the center mirror is obstructed. In addition, mirrors must have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
Illinois
The law in Illinois requires a vehicle to be installed with two side mirrors if the driver’s view from the center mirror or rear window is obstructed.
Iowa
The state of Iowa requires a car to have a passenger-side mirror if the main mirror is blocked. This law applies to both modern and non-modern cars.
Idaho
In Idaho, drivers only need to install side mirrors if their vehicles have center mirrors that are not blocked.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, both side mirrors are only necessary if the driver can’t see the road behind the vehicle by looking forward from the driver’s position.
Nevada
Side mirrors are only required if the view from the center mirror is obstructed. Mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
New York
If your vehicle is registered in New York, you will require the left-side mirror unless the vehicle is a 1967 or older model.
If your vehicle is not registered in the state, you will not require side mirrors as long as the center mirror is not obstructed.
North Dakota
The mirror laws in North Dakota require drivers to install a side mirror if their view in the center mirror is blocked. Therefore, it’s best to ensure an unobstructed mirror, particularly on blind spots.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, a left-side mirror is required with either a center mirror or a right-side mirror. If the center mirror is obstructed, a right-side mirror is required.
Pennsylvania
If the view from the center mirror is obstructed, side mirrors are required in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the left side mirror and center mirror are required. Mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
Tennessee
The law regarding side mirrors in Tennessee is quite vague. It states that “motor trucks” should have at least one free mirror if loaded or built to prevent the driver’s view of the rear.
Texas
The law in Texas requires drivers only to have one rearview mirror. However, if the view from the center mirror is blocked, the law requires them to have side mirrors.
Utah
Utah requires two mirrors on each vehicle. Ensure that one of the mirrors is a driver-side mirror.
Vermont
The state law in Vermont requires drivers to have one rearview mirror in their cars. Side mirrors are only necessary once the view from the center mirror is blocked, but never without a side mirror.
Virginia
Virginia requires at least one side mirror with a center mirror. Additionally, the mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Washington
The state law in Washington requires a car to have a side mirror. The mirror can either be a center mirror or a right-side mirror.
Washington DC
You only require side mirrors in Washington, DC, if the view from the center mirror is obstructed. Mirrors should have a view of at least 200 feet to the vehicle’s rear.
Can You Drive With No Side Mirror in the UK?
The UK law states that all cars must have at least two mirrors that offer a good view of the rear. One of the operational mirrors has to be the offside rear view mirror, i.e., the one attached to the driver’s door. If this mirror gets damaged, then it’s illegal for you to drive your car.
On the other hand, if the mirror attached to the passenger door (wing mirror) gets damaged, you can legally drive as long as your offside rear view and your internal rear view mirror on your windscreen are both intact.
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Wing mirrors exist to give you as good a view as possible of the road behind you. Therefore, if any of your mirrors are damaged, the police might look beyond the provisions of the law, and they might decide that driving with a damaged mirror is irresponsible and penalize you accordingly. The penalty for driving without a side mirror is three penalty points and a £2,500 fine.
Therefore, if either of your wing mirrors gets damaged, continue considering what the law says. Instead, try to get the damage fixed as soon as possible.
Why Is Driving Without Side Mirrors a Bad Idea?
Side mirrors might be small in size; however, they play a big role in safety when driving a car. These mirrors not only enhance your vehicle’s appearance but also allow you to see what’s happening around it.
Side mirrors provide an extra set of eyes that can help you see your “blind spot” so that you don’t accidentally hit another vehicle on the road. In addition, side mirrors can give you views of what might be approaching from behind. For example, if you want to change lanes and a large truck is tailgating you, drifting slightly toward either side of your lane will allow you to see behind you through your side mirror.
Here are some uses of the side mirrors:
They are Essential While Changing Lanes
You might need to change lanes while driving. Before changing lanes, check traffic in the left or right mirror then turn accordingly. Without doing this, you might hit another vehicle, or another vehicle could hit yours.
Use Side Mirrors During Overtaking
It’s best to use your side mirrors when overtaking to ensure that the way is clear before overtaking. Only overtake if the way is clear.
Parking Vehicles
Side mirrors help in parking your vehicle. It might be impossible or difficult to reverse and park your car without side mirrors. The mirrors help in ensuring that you park properly and at the right spot.
To View Traffic From Behind
The center mirror and the side mirrors can help you watch the traffic coming from behind to help you make decisions when driving.
Changing lanes, overtaking, understanding your surroundings, and parking are all important aspects of driving. Your side mirrors often help you execute these activities; therefore, driving without your side mirrors is not a good idea because you might need to carry out these critical tasks when driving.
When Are Passenger Side Mirrors Required?
The law in most states requires drivers to have mirrors while driving. One of the mirrors is a driver-side mirror. However, some states like Iowa require you to have a passenger-side mirror if the main mirror is blocked, be it on modern cars or not.
Countries like Australia require that you drive with a passenger-side mirror at all times. Therefore, ensure that both side mirrors work well before getting on the road.
Side mirrors are essential elements in the safe design of vehicles; without them, you can’t see what’s happening on either side of your car. Additionally, having rearview and side mirrors is a legal requirement for every vehicle, per Australian vehicle standards.
In Australia, you risk a fine of between $112 and $396 for driving without a side mirror and not complying with the provisions of the Australian vehicle standards.
It’s also best to understand that driving without a side mirror in Australia could impact your insurance coverage. Any indication that you’ve been driving a car that isn’t considered safe or roadworthy could void your insurance agreement, regardless of whether the faults had a bearing on any accidents you were involved in.
Both side mirrors allow you to drive safely. They help you see what vehicles are near you in either lane; therefore, you should always check your side mirror before merging into another lane.
Side mirrors are an important safety device; if one of your mirrors breaks, you will need to replace it as soon as possible. Remember that you can significantly reduce your chances of being in an accident by fixing your side mirror right away, regardless of what the law states.
A functional side mirror increases your confidence while driving; therefore, ensuring that yours is in a great state to help you drive without worries is best.