Towing Guide - Flipbook - Page 25
TOWING MIRRORS
The law demands that a motor vehicle must have at least two
functional rear-view mirrors. There must be one on the offside
and one internally, the internal one must have a clear view as
defined below through the caravan, if not a nearside mirror
must be fitted.
Note: When towing a caravan, the law
requires the driver to have a clear view
down both sides of the trailer and 4m
either side at a distance of 20m behind
the driver. This not only means that
a nearside mirror is necessary, it also
means that, when towing a caravan,
towing extension mirrors are almost
certainly necessary as most caravans
are wider than the towing car.
Unless you are certain that your
vision meets the legal criteria, extension
towing mirrors should always be used
for legality and safety when your
caravan is coupled up. Remember
to remove them when not towing.
There will be some combinations of
car and caravan which can satisfy this
requirement without extension towing
mirrors. However, these are likely to be
the exception rather than the rule and
most combinations will need extension
towing mirrors.
Ensure that the extension towing
mirrors project no more than 250mm*
beyond the widest part of the caravan.
It is desirable that the offside extension
towing mirror contains a plain flat
mirror so that you can judge speed
and distance correctly. Also, ensure
that they have safety glass and/or are
e-marked, if required. Towing mirrors
fitted to cars registered from 26
January 2010 must carry ‘E’ markings
showing compliance with European
Directives 2003/97 or 2005/27 or ECE
Regulation 46.02. Amongst other
things this signifies that the glass will
not break into large pieces if shattered.
Even when ‘E’ marked mirrors are not
mandatory, they are the best choice, as
the approval process should confirm
many aspects of the quality of their
design and performance. Other mirrors
may well be a false economy.
* For non ‘E’ marked mirrors this limit is 200mm
NCC Caravan Towing Guide 25
