We had our passenger side car mirror broken off while it was parked. We do not know how this happened but are now concerned that not having this mirror on the car will cause problems with getting pulled over, etc. Does anyone know if it is actually illegal to drive a car without the passenger side mirror? Clearly, it's ill advised not to have this and we intend to get it fixed but I just wonder if it is actually illegal to drive without this. Any advice is appreciated.

I think it is obligatory to have it on the driver's side only but i am not 100% sure

Is the issue that you don't want to fix it, or that you need the car before you can get it fixed?

In the case of the former, I can't answer. But if the latter, if you have a note from the garage saying you have an appointment to get the thing fixed then that should get you out of any bother.

Older cars did not have a near side mirror, but around 20 years ago I think they became compulsory.

Cars are allowed on the road only if their specifications are approved. If the car is changed from the original, it would have to be inspected and approved again.

So yes, in theory, you could be prosecuted, as the car has been changed from the original approved specification.

When I got my driver's license, a passenger's side mirror was mandatory on cars that could be legally loaded in a manner that obstructed the view through the internal mirror (liftbacks, hatchbacks, you name it). Made some sense, but then, that was in the '60s.

As mentioned in the original post, we are going to fix it it's simply a matter of time to get into the garage. Thanks for the information on the note, I will pursue that route since there is some delay with the garage working us into their schedule.

When I saw the thread title, I thought: "Why would it be a requirement to have a mirror on a passenger side car?"



But, back to your question, I think the rule of thumb, is, that if it's fitted by the manufacturer, then it should be maintained and not changed or modified without being controlled and recorded on the Fahrzeugausweiss.