WHAT ARE THE MANDATORY MIRRORS IN A CAR?

 We use them daily and without them it would be impossible to drive. Rearview mirrors are an extension of our vision. For 50 years, when they were created, they have had the same function: to help us see what is around us, to expand our field of vision and to know if there are other vehicles circulating on our road. In this way, we will know if we can move freely and safely. 

The regulation of Royal Decree 2822/1998, of December 23, in Annex III, defines the rear-view mirror as a “device whose purpose is to allow, in the field of vision defined in the current regulation that is included in Annex I, clear visibility to the rear and to the sides of the vehicle, except for complex devices such as periscopes”.

Although it is mandatory to carry a specific number of mirrors in a car, there are many that do not pass the ITV for not having them in order. This is why it is very important to know which mirrors are mandatory in a vehicle for auto for trade

Mandatory car mirrors

Just as there is a duty to have car insurance, all vehicles are required to carry a minimum of 2 mirrors by law, even if we have 3. It is mandatory to carry the left mirror (that of the driver's seat) and the central one. In the event that the left was disabled, the right mirror would become mandatory. When both are enabled, the right mirror is only optional.

Mirrors must meet a series of characteristics to be homologated:

• The left mirror should allow a visibility of up to 10 meters behind and about 2.5 meters to the side.
• The interior mirror must allow the rear part of the road to be seen in a vertical longitudinal plane.
• In the case of the right mirror, its visibility should be 20 meters from the rear and around 4 meters from the side. 

These conditions are applicable to all cars or vehicles with up to 9 seats, including the driver.

How should the mandatory car mirrors be placed?

The law regulates the rear view mirrors in their dimension, placement, and angle of vision, casing and resistance. 

There are some general rules. For example, the contour that exists between the glass and the mirror housing should not be more than 2.5mm in surface around the perimeter, or the design of the part that fixes the mirror to the car, which must be able to rotate and give way. In the event of an accident in the same direction in which the impact occurs. 

The placement of the mirrors, as we have already mentioned above, is another factor to take into account to make good use of the mandatory mirrors in a car. They must be positioned so that the driver just has to move his eyes to know which vehicles are driving around him. The best time to place the mirrors of your car is before starting, on a flat road and when you have no vehicle behind.

On the other hand, both the left mirror and the interior, which are mandatory mirrors in a car, must be convex by law. In this way they prevent objects from being seen in a larger size and the driver's vision from being distorted.

If we want to avoid having problems with the blind spot or dead center, a small curved mirror can be installed. The problem with this type of mirror is that it can distort the distances or the size of the objects, since the curvature of the glass outwards is greater. It works like a wide angle.

Always have your mirrors in good condition and position. In addition to your safety, you must bear in mind that the fine for not carrying any of the mandatory mirrors is around € 200 (with the possibility of 50% reduction if paid within 20 calendar days).