Some tusser knocked it off on my way home the other day (and drove off without stopping, but that's another story!).

I'm claiming on my insurance for it as last time it happened (I know!) it cost more than my excess to fix - the window glass and door paintwork need attention as well.


Anyway, I have Googled extensively but can't find definitively whether or not I'm breaking the law by driving without the mirror.

Anyone know for sure?

I'm sure there are lots of ways it could be deemed illegal if it isn't a specific offence.

Unroadworthy/unsafe vehicle. Driving without due care and attention etc.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wing+m ... =firefox-a

Mainly forums but the consensus is that you must have an off-side wing mirror to be legal.

but then we get the whole debate about what is offside and what is not

Cheers Tricky - knew I could rely on you!


I've looked at several forums (fora?) and still I'm confused. I think murf is right that if someone wanted to, they could find illegality in it some way!

Most people are saying that it's such a minor crime that it would likely be ignored unless I had been previously warned, so I think I will take the chance for the day or two until it goes in for repair.
I can get a hire car for 14 days, so I'll do that as soon as I hear from the garage regards when they can fit it in.


(Don't anyone tell our resident law enforcement officer, as that might count as my first warning...!!! )

Only just seen this sorry J.

Think you'd just get a word of advice to get it repaired, or worst case scenario would be a non-endorsable £30 fine.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_810.htm

Depends. But you should find your answer here.

My first response was no......................and then I read the thread title again Near side mirror ok, offside absolutely not!!!!

Another issue would be that there should be no sharp(ish) edges exposed that could cause harm eg to a pedestrian.


Edited!

It is an offence, no questions, and the punishment would be a £30 FPN.

Although if it were me, the driver would be given a chance to have it repaired at worst case scenario. By way of a VDRS ticket if I deemed that to be necessary.

Remember the bit in the Highway Code where it says "Mirror Signal Manoeuvre", hard to do if you 'aint got a mirror.

Mirrors: The law states you must have three. both side mirrors and a rear vew .

If the car is post 1978 you must have a drivers side wing mirror

But after that you need two mirrors. One must be the drivers side but there is no obligation to have a passenger side one AND an internal one. You can have one or the other.

How are you supposed to see cyclists coming alongside in the cycle lane if you don't have a passenger side mirror. ?

I agree! But thems the rules according to the MOT website i found!

Having said that you don't see any cars without both do you?

I've searched extensively and it would appear that what Groomy says is true.
You must have a driver's side mirror (that is adjustable by the driver).
You must have one other mirror, either on the windscreen inside the car or on the outside on the nearside.
Although I never did find that written in stone, it does appear to be the most popular 'opinion' available on the net.
Gazwood's call that it would prompt no more than a warning if stopped by the police is shared by the majority too.

Moot point as I've now had it repaired!

Thanks for helping out though!




Now, anyone know how to get the inside rear door panel off and Astra? Electric window when crunch and stopped working!

Jesus said the same thing!

Good to see its fixed, on reflection should the question have been is it safe to drive without a drivers side wing mirror?

what would Jesus do?

Jesus would buy the Guradian and think he was doing his bit for the planet by not owning a car and travelling everywhere by donkey. Oblivious to the fact that the effects of methane-generating donkey farts over every mile travelled would cause more harm to the environment than every car this side of a Hummer.

Hang on, or is that Groomyd?

My donkey doubles as a Leisure Centre

Don't knock it

Amazing though that its not the law that you should have a full set of mirrors even if all cars are made that way

Maybe it's got something to do with small vans where the centre mirror is often redundant because you can't see through the load in the back?

I have the same problem when my Mother in Law's in the back seat.