Are Towing Mirrors Required ??

As far as I know it was a legal requirement to be able to see behind you and you are required to remove them when not towing.

Hi Ken. I drive a car with blue and red flashing lights for a living. I can tell you , without getting all technical about things, in Victoria that it is a legal requirement to have clear vision behind you (via your mirrors.)

Graeme

Hi Ken,
By coincidence I was discussing this today with someone and they confirmed it is required in WA too...
Cheers, Dave

Yes, and yes for every state.

From WA Drive Safe who put it simply

"Ensure your car is fitted with good exterior mirrors so you can clearly see behind you when towing a trailer or caravan."

Having a rear view camera makes to difference to the legislation.

Motherhen

How can you know what is behind you with out these mirrors.It could be you holding up an emergency vehicle or even a line of traffic?. How do you know if another vehicle is about to overtake yours until they are along side of you?.Very dangerous and inconsiderate to other motorists by not taking the time and effort to fit them.

Great discussion. The key is as long as you can see within the line of sight as specified in Federal requirement covered by ADR 14/02.
Have a look at Section 15 in www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L02663/Download - Legislative Instrument.

If the current mirrors which may be extendable cover the line of sight I beleive you are OK. However I would think that standard vehicle rear vision mirrors would not survice.

I do know it is illegal to have extended mirrors on your vehicle when you are not towing.

Fot the sake of $60 - $80 a set, the safety to all of us on the road, I would get a set.

Seen recently $70,000. approx caravan being towed by an Audi of similar value or more both very new and no mirrors other than what was standard on the car. Why wouldnt you spend the extra $$$$ for a decent set of mirrors, and i did not see any sign of a rear camera on the van, i just dont get it!! Bob

Thanks to all for this information.

I am going to open another thread about type of mirror - yes I know it has been covered before but I am curious about opinion on current mirrors available on couple of specific vehicles.

Pathycop may have a view from his side regarding one of the vehicles.

Ken

My advice from road safety people is that I must be able to see a vehicle approaching from the rear and see a vehicle overtaking on either side. Legislation does not stipulate how this requirement is achieved, except it is written if mirrors are used you must be able to see the rear corners of the towed vehicle.

Neil

Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 1998

34 Rear vision mirrors
(1) A rear vision mirror or mirrors must be fitted to a motor vehicle as required by this clause so that a driver of the vehicle can clearly see by reflection the road behind the vehicle and any following or overtaking vehicle.
(2) At least 1 rear vision mirror must be fitted to:
(a) a car, and
(b) a motor trike with 2 front wheels, and
(c) a motor bike, or motor trike with 1 front wheel, built before July 1975.
(3) At least 1 rear vision mirror must be fitted to each side of the motor vehicle:
(a) if the vehicle has a GVM over 3.5 tonnes, or
(b) if the vehicle is a motor bike, or motor trike with 1 front wheel, built after June 1975, or
(c) if the vehicle is constructed for the carriage of goods (not being a station wagon), or
(d) if the vehicle is a bus, or
(e) if the maximum width of any trailer or other vehicle drawn by the vehicle is greater than that of the vehicle, or
(f) if because of the manner in which the vehicle is constructed, equipped or loaded, or because of the fact that the vehicle is drawing a trailer or other vehicle, or for any other reason, the driver cannot, by means of a mirror fixed to the interior of the vehicle, have reflected to him or her as far as practicable a clear view of the road to the rear of the vehicle and of any following or overtaking vehicle.
(4) A motor vehicle with a GVM not over 3.5 tonnes (except a motor vehicle mentioned in subclause (2) or (3)) must be fitted with:
(a) at least 1 rear vision mirror on the right side of the vehicle, and
(b) at least 1 rear vision mirror on the left side of the vehicle or inside the vehicle.
(5) A rear vision mirror fitted to a motor vehicle with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes must not project over 150 millimetres beyond the widest part (excluding lights, signalling devices and reflectors) of the vehicle or combination.
(6) However, the rear vision mirror may project not over 230 millimetres beyond the widest part of the vehicle or combination if it can fold to project not over 150 millimetres beyond the widest part.

This is the road transport act for motor vehicles, there is no requirement to fit extra mirrors other than the standard motor vehicle mirrors if you tow a caravan.

However if you are involved in an accident and the lack of view caused or contributed to the accident you will more then likely be charged with driving without due care and a few others.

Do you need towing mirrors by law...No.