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So what happens if you don't actually need any towing mirrors, do you still have to have them?

When we first got our caravan we got towing mirrors as the mpv we used at the time needed them. Then we changed to a larger mpv with very big mirrors, and due to the shape and size of them couldn't find any towing mirrors which would fit. My OH insisted that he didn't need them anyway as he could see perfectly well down both sides of the caravan - it's only a 2-berth so not large. I didn't believe him until one day I sat in the driver's seat and with the mirrors correctly adjusted yes, I could see down both sides of the 'van.

Now eventually I will be driving this vehicle and towing the caravan myself - obviously I don't want to break the law so if I have to get mirrors I will need to find some which fit, but do I need to get them if I can see perfectly well without?

1, Don't think its over the top to describe cars of different years. That's the law. Rarely is legislation retrospective. So if you buy a new car this year the current law applies. If you have an old car then the old law applies.

2. What's so important about the "E" mark? Regulations set out the legal standard that mirrors must conform to in terms of design, structure, safety etc etc. To show that they comply they are stamped. So if you want to buy mirrors that comply with current regulations then look for that mark. Bit like the BS Kite mark or the  CE mark for electrical goods showing that they comply with current standard. It also helps the boys in blue if they do spot checks (which they do). If the E mark is there and you have a new car "On your way son". 

3. Tigermouse - The Law does not require you to have extended mirrors. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Reg.33 states that a vehicle drawing a caravan must have at least two exterior mirrors, one on the offside and one on the nearside, which provide an adequate view to the rear and along both sides.
If the normal mirrors do not provide this view (due to the width of the
caravan) then some form of extended mirrors or other devices must be fitted 
What is adequate? Well you must be able to see 4 meters either side of the caravan at a distance of 20 meters behind the rear of the caravan. Don't ask me how you measure that. I often drive along trying to guess if the view back through my extended mirrors fit those measurements and they have the E mark!! Suppose you ask hubby to walk down the road with a tape measure till you can't see him.

Going back to the age of the car (point 1) the mirror must be no more than 200mm out beyond the widest part of your car or caravan. Although for any cars sold after 26th January 2007 this is 250mm. 

So Tigermouse if your mirrors give you that "adequate" view you don't need extended mirrors.

May be a bind, Regulations, but its the law and the law is there to protect us and other road users

Phil

    Back to the original question:- from information on various websites, including one having had direct contact with the DfT (Department for Transport), stating that the use of E marked mirrors is compulsary on new  vehicles registered on, or after, Jan 26th 2010.  Vehicles registered before that date do not have  to use E marked mirrors. It appears that mirrors sold for the last few years are E marked anyway, but all, stamped or not, can be used on pre-Jan 2010 vehicles.

     Pete.

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 06/3/2010

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 Suppose you ask hubby to walk down the road with a tape measure till you can't see him.

Phil

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That's the trouble, I don't have an OH as of April last year - which is why I will be towing the 'van myself!

Thanks for the info though, seems like I won't need extra mirrors after all.

Tigermouse -

Fairpoint, and even with someone to help not easy to check. Would be a useful addition for drives on club sites, two lines marked 20m apart and markers either side for 4m so at least you could check your set-up when you arrived.

Quote: Originally posted by CandP on 06/3/2010

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The simple thing is, if you are using non E marked mirrors and you are involved in an accident. That could and would be an excuse for your insurance company NOT to pay out and deem your insurance to be null and void.
A stipulation of insurance is your vehicle and accessories must conform to current regulations.

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      Sorry to disagree, as I said the DfT state categorically that non-E marked mirrors are legal on pre- Jan 26th 2010 vehicles, it is not a retrospective regulation. 

      Your statement about complying with current regulations for insurance purposes, would render half the vehicles on the road illegal, many vehicles don't, for example, meet the current standards for "frontal pedestrian impact", but it doesn't make them illegal or un-insurable because they comply with the regulations in force at the time they were made.

       You don't work for Milenco do you?   

                Pete.