Adjusting mirrors

Before moving off, make sure all mirrors are clean and adjusted to give you the best possible view of the road behind.

While in your normal driving position, adjust your mirrors so that you require the minimum of head movement to get a good view of traffic behind.

Always check your view as part of your ‘cockpit drill’ (see section 5).

When adjusting mirrors, grip them at the edge to avoid getting fingermarks on the surface. Fingermarks can distort and blur the view in the mirror.

Interior mirror

Adjust your interior mirror so that you get the best possible view through the rear window, especially to the offside, with a minimum of head movement.

Exterior mirrors

Adjust your exterior mirrors

• to give the best view behind
• so that the side of the vehicle is only just visible.

Don’t adjust the mirrors while you’re driving. Do it before you move off, or at any time your vehicle is stationary.

Check when you get into your vehicle that they’ve not been knocked out of position.

Remember to check that your exterior mirrors are still positioned correctly after you’ve been through a car wash.

Keep your exterior mirrors clean. In bad weather, check they’re clear of frost and condensation before you move off.

Electric mirrors

Many vehicles have door mirrors which can be adjusted electrically using switches inside the vehicle.

Some of them have a heating element to keep them clear of frost and condensation.

Anti-dazzle mirrors

The interior mirror usually has an anti-dazzle position. When driving at night, you can use this to prevent dazzle or distraction by the lights of traffic behind you. You’ll still be able to see the lights, but the dazzle will be greatly reduced.