How to Use Car Mirrors
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This page supports what we cover in driving lessons. If you have questions, make a note and ask in your next lesson.
Learning how to use your mirrors properly is one of the MOST important skills you’ll develop as a new driver. Good mirror work keeps you safe, predictable, and fully aware of what’s happening around you.
This page teaches you EVERYTHING you need to know — explained simply, clearly, and in the same visual style as your other pages.
🔰 INTRO – WHY MIRRORS MATTER
Mirrors help you answer the three big safety questions:
• What is BEHIND me?
• What is BESIDE me?
• Is it SAFE for me to change speed, direction, or road position?
If you can answer these three questions confidently, you will drive smoothly, safely and naturally — and pass your test more easily.
Good mirror use reduces:
✓ Risk of collisions
✓ Surprises from overtaking vehicles
✓ Mistakes at junctions and roundabouts
✓ Stress while driving
Mirrors are your “extra pair of eyes.”
But they do NOT show everything — blind spots still require shoulder checks.
🪞 THE THREE MAIN MIRRORS
(What they do, explained simply)
- INTERIOR MIRROR
• Flat mirror → gives a true, accurate picture
• Shows exactly what is behind you
• Used before ALL changes in speed or direction - LEFT DOOR MIRROR
• Shows the kerb + left side of the car
• Helps spot cyclists, scooters, pedestrians
• Slightly curved → objects appear smaller - RIGHT DOOR MIRROR
• Shows the right-hand lane / overtaking traffic
• Essential for lane changes, right turns
• Also curved → wider view but smaller image
Beginners tip:
If it looks “tiny and far away” in a door mirror, it’s actually CLOSER than you think.
🎯 STEP 1 – HOW TO SET YOUR MIRRORS
(Explained in detail for complete beginners)
IMPORTANT:
Adjust your seat first. Your mirror settings depend on where you sit.
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1) Setting the INTERIOR Mirror
Purpose: See clearly through the rear window.
How to set it:
• Sit naturally, looking forward
• Hold the mirror at the edges (avoid fingerprints!)
• Adjust until the rear window fills the mirror
• You should NOT see your own head, hair, or car interior
What beginners often get wrong:
❌ Turning the mirror to see more sky
❌ Angling it so they see too much of their own car interior
Goal:
A clean, centred view straight out the back window.
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2) Setting the RIGHT Door Mirror
Purpose: See overtaking traffic + right lane position.
How to set it:
• You SHOULD see:
– A thin strip of your own car on the left edge
– The horizon halfway up
– The road/lane next to you
Why you need to see part of your car:
It helps your brain judge distance and prevents drifting.
Beginners mistake:
❌ Turning it too far outwards so you see “only road”
This creates a huge blind spot.
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3) Setting the LEFT Door Mirror
Purpose: See the kerb and left-side hazards.
You SHOULD see:
• A thin slice of your car on the inside edge
• The kerb clearly
• The horizon halfway up
• The left lane area
Beginners mistake:
❌ Setting it too low → mostly see the ground
❌ Setting it too inward → mostly see the side of your own car
Goal:
A balanced picture of road + kerb + a small bit of your car.
👀 BLIND SPOTS – WHAT MIRRORS CAN’T SHOW
Even perfectly adjusted mirrors CANNOT show everything.
Blind spots are the hidden areas just behind your shoulders.
Blind spots must be checked:
✓ Before moving off
✓ Before changing lanes
✓ Before overtaking
✓ Before pulling out from parked cars
Beginner reminder:
“MIRRORS first… SHOULDERS to be sure.”
Night driving (if applicable)
If your mirror has a night / anti-dazzle switch:
- Use it when headlights behind are dazzling
- Flick it back to normal during daytime
🧭 STEP 2 – WHEN TO USE YOUR MIRRORS
(The exact routines examiners look for)
Mirror checks should ALWAYS be:
• Timed early
• Done with purpose
• Matched to what you are about to do
We use the classic MSM routine:
MIRRORS → SIGNAL → MANOEUVRE
Every time you plan to brake, turn, steer, or change lanes.
📘 DETAILED MIRROR USE FOR BEGINNERS
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1) MOVING OFF
Mirror routine:
• Interior mirror
• Right mirror
• RIGHT shoulder blind spot
→ Move away if safe
What you’re looking for:
• Cars approaching from behind
• Cyclists filtering on your right
• Pedestrians crossing behind the car
Why beginners struggle:
They forget the shoulder check — the MOST important part.
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2) STOPPING & BRAKING
Before you brake:
• Check the interior mirror
→ Is anyone close behind you?
→ Do you need to brake more gently?
If a vehicle is tailgating:
Brake gradually, not sharply.
Big beginner mistake:
❌ Braking first, THEN checking the mirror
This is too late — examiners mark it down.
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3) SPEEDING UP / ACCELERATING
• Quick interior mirror check
→ Make sure nobody is overtaking
→ Avoid speeding up into someone’s path
New drivers often forget this because they focus ahead — but rear awareness is crucial.
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4) TURNING LEFT
Mirror routine:
• Interior mirror → left mirror
Look for:
• Cyclists
• Scooters
• Motorbikes
• Pedestrians stepping out
Beginner mistake:
❌ Checking the right mirror by habit
Always match the mirror to your direction.
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5) TURNING RIGHT
Mirror routine:
• Interior mirror → right mirror
Look for:
• Motorbikes overtaking
• Cars coming up fast
• Vehicles already committed to the overtake
Tip:
If you signal right WITHOUT checking your right mirror first, the examiner WILL notice.
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6) CHANGING LANES
This is one of the MOST important mirror routines for new drivers.
Lane change routine:
- Interior mirror
- Side mirror (direction you’re moving)
- Shoulder check on that side
- Smooth lane change
Right lane shift:
Interior → Right mirror → Right shoulder
Left lane shift:
Interior → Left mirror → Left shoulder
Beginner mistakes:
❌ Forgetting shoulder checks
❌ Turning too sharply
❌ Changing lanes without scanning properly
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7) ROUNDABOUTS
Before entering:
• Interior → correct side mirror
While leaving:
• Interior → LEFT mirror
→ Watch for cyclists before exiting
Common beginner mistake:
❌ Forgetting the left mirror when leaving
This is a HIGH-value exam mark.
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8) OVERTAKING & PASSING PARKED CARS
Mirror routine:
• Interior mirror
• Right mirror
• Right shoulder (if moving out significantly)
While moving back in:
• Interior mirror
• Left mirror
Look for:
• Cars overtaking YOU
• Cyclists emerging between cars
• Doors opening
Beginners often only check one mirror — but overtaking requires both mirrors and shoulders.
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9) REVERSING
Mirrors help but do NOT replace turning your head.
Correct routine:
• Look all around
• Use mirrors to support awareness
• Keep checking both shoulders
• Move as slowly as a walking pace
Examiners expect you to mainly look BACK and around — not stare at a mirror.
⚠️ COMMON MIRROR MISTAKES (BEGINNERS)
❌ Checking mirrors too fast — a “flick”
❌ Not actually SEEING anything
❌ Using wrong mirror for the manoeuvre
❌ Forgetting blind spots
❌ Over-relying on mirrors when reversing
❌ Adjusting mirrors incorrectly every drive
❌ Moving the steering wheel WHILE still checking mirrors
Good mirror work feels calm, deliberate, and early.
⭐ GOOD MIRROR HABITS (TEST-FRIENDLY)
✓ Check interior mirror first
✓ Check the side mirror that matches your action
✓ Use shoulder checks every time you move sideways
✓ Make checks early so you can act safely
✓ Make every check MEANINGFUL — not a glance
✓ Keep mirrors clean and set properly before driving
Little phrase to help:
“INTERIOR first, SIDE for direction, SHOULDERS for safety.”
🏁 SUMMARY – THE BEGINNER MIRROR PLAYBOOK
You’re using mirrors correctly when:
• You ALWAYS check mirrors before changing speed or direction
• You match the correct mirror to the side you’re moving
• You ALWAYS perform shoulder checks when moving sideways
• You know what you are LOOKING FOR — not just looking
• Your driving feels smoother, calmer, and safer
At Humphreys Driving School, we’ll help you master mirror routines so they become automatic — making you a safer driver and boosting your confidence for the test.
Interesting Fact: Mirror Laws Once Less Strict
Here’s a fascinating legal tidbit for your learners: in the UK, vehicles first registered before 1 June 1978 were allowed to have just one external mirror—typically the offside one. Nearside (passenger-side) mirrors weren’t made mandatory until after that date GOV.UKReddit. That means some classic cars legally ran without a mirror for decades! (see car below no left side mirror)
🪄 Instructor’s Tip
Try linking your mirror checks to your movements:
- Right foot to brake → interior and left/right mirrors
- Hands turn the wheel → interior and mirror on that side
- Foot back on accelerator → quick check behind
Repeat this in every lesson — it’ll soon become second nature.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Using Car Mirrors
1. When should learner drivers check their mirrors?
Learner drivers should check their mirrors before signalling, before changing direction, and before changing speed. Regular mirror checks (every 5–10 seconds on straight roads) help maintain awareness of what’s happening behind.
2. What is the MSM routine in driving?
MSM stands for Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. It’s the core routine learner drivers are taught. You check mirrors to see if it’s safe, signal your intentions, and then make the manoeuvre.
3. Which mirror should you check first?
Always check your interior mirror first, as it gives the most accurate picture of what is directly behind. Then check the relevant door mirror before making a move.
4. Why do I need to check my blind spot?
Your blind spot is the area your mirrors cannot cover. A quick glance over your shoulder ensures no cyclist, motorbike, or vehicle is hidden before you change lanes or move off.
5. Do examiners look for mirror checks in the driving test?
Yes. Examiners want to see regular and well-timed mirror checks, especially before signalling, braking, or changing lanes. Missing mirror checks can lead to minors — or even serious faults
6. How can I build the habit of using mirrors?
Practice commentary driving by saying out loud when you check mirrors and what you see. This helps make mirror checks a natural, automatic habit over time.
Final Thoughts
For learner drivers, mastering mirror checks is one of the best investments you can make in your driving future. It’s a habit that not only improves your chances of passing the driving test but also makes you a safer and more confident driver for life.
Keep this guide handy, review it before each lesson, and remember: mirrors are not just for the examiner — they are for your safety and the safety of everyone around you.
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