Section 590. Mirrors

Inspect for and reject if:

1. Any motor vehicle is not equipped with at least one mirror.

2. Any bus, truck, road tractor or tractor truck is not equipped with two outside rear view mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached.

EXCEPTION: Only one outside mirror shall be required, on the driver's side, on vehicles so constructed that the driver has a view to the rear by means of an inside mirror.

Vehicles equipped with only one outside mirror must have the mirror on the driver's side.

NOTE: No motor vehicle shall be required to be equipped with an inside rear view mirror if it does not have a rear window or if the rear window is so obstructed as to prevent rearward vision by means of an inside rear view mirror, if the motor vehicle has horizontally and vertically adjustable outside rear view mirrors installed on both sides of such motor vehicle in such a manner as to provide the driver of such motor vehicle a clear view along both sides of such motor vehicle for a distance of not less than 200 feet.

3. Reflecting surface of mirror is cracked, broken, peeled, pitted, clouded, tarnished, the image is distorted, has sharp edges, reflects more than one image, or is not mounted securely.

4. Mirror does not give the driver a clear view of the road 200 feet to the rear.

5. Interior rear view mirror;

a. Mirror is loose enough that rear view is impaired.

b. Mirror cannot be adjusted or will not maintain a set adjustment.

6. Exterior rear view mirror;

a. Mirror is loose enough that rear view is impaired.

b. Left mirror is obscured by an unwiped portion of windshield or mirror is mounted so it cannot be adjusted from driver's seat. (Applies to 1969 and subsequent model vehicles.)

NOTE: A right side mirror is not required if the reflecting surface of the mirror has been completely removed from the mirror housing. However, a vehicle will be required to have two outside mirrors if there is a sticker or stickers, regardless of size, sun-shading or tinting film, on the rear side windows or rear window.

NOTE: A single sticker, no larger than 20 square inches, if such sticker is totally contained within the lower five inches of the glass of the rear window, and does not obstruct the center high mount brake light, is allowed and will pass inspection.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR545-01-07 § 59, eff. May 1, 1990; amended, Volume 10, Issue 08, eff. February 9, 1994; Volume 24, Issue 08, eff. March 1, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. October 3, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-1165 of the Code of Virginia.