Driving Tips - Mirrors
Guidance reviewed: 25 September 2026. Use these prompts with professional instruction and the handbook for the vehicle you drive.
Accelerator
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Exterior Mirrors
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Meeting Approaching Traffic
Mirrors
Moving Away
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Safe Distance
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Seat
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Stopping
T-Junctions
The Engine
Turning the Car Around
Practical Driving Test Tips — Mirrors
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror checks take attention away from the road | The glance is too long or repeated mechanically. | Use brief, purposeful checks and keep building an all-round picture instead of staring into a mirror. |
| You check mirrors after changing speed or direction | The check is being used as a routine confirmation rather than to inform the decision. | Check in good time before signalling, changing direction, changing speed or moving off, and act on what you see. |
| You rely on one mirror | The different areas covered by the mirrors are not being considered. | Choose the mirrors relevant to the manoeuvre and remember their blind spots. Use a direct observation when needed and safe. |