Setting Your Mirrors
You will find below pictures of what your mirrors should look like once you have set these correctly. It is important you are seated comfortably and able to reach the controls before you set your mirrors (refer to cockpit drill).
Remember - Your mirrors should be set so that you have minimal movement to check these - the interior mirror for example should simply require movement of your eyes.
Interior Mirror
You should be able to simply move your eyes to look in the interior mirror and should be able to see as much of the rear window as possible (the head restraints may slightly block your view).
The interior mirror is flat glass and as such give an accurate picture of what is behind you. You see things actual size and should use this mirror to help judge the distance of the vehicle behind you.
Left Door Mirror
This may also be called the "nearside mirror".
This should be set so that you can see a small part of the side of the car (like the picture to the left). The horizon should be about half way up the mirror.
The door mirrors are made from convex glass which means they are curved. This allows you to see much more of what is behind you but as a result, things are made to look smaller and therefore appear further away. DO NOT USE door mirrors to judge the distance of the vehicle behind you.
Right Door Mirror
This may also be called the "offside mirror".
This should be set so that you can see a small part of the side of the car (like the picture to the left). The horizon should be about half way up the mirror.
The door mirrors are made from convex glass which means they are curved. This allows you to see much more of what is behind you but as a result, things are made to look smaller and therefore appear further away. DO NOT USE door mirrors to judge the distance of the vehicle behind you.
Blind Spots
The blind spot is the area not covered by your mirrors. Typically this refers to the right blind spot demonstrated in the image to the left.
Although this demonstrates a motorcycle, it could easily be a car emerging from a driveway or a pedestrian crossing the road. This is why the blind spot needs to checked prior to moving off.
The blind spot to the left may also need to be checked in some situations.