Support us

MirrorNetherlands

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Netherlands

134. Mirror

A mirror is a device fitted to a vehicle that allows the driver to observe traffic behind and beside the vehicle without turning away from the road ahead for an extended period. Vehicles commonly use an interior rear-view mirror and one or more exterior side mirrors.

Mirrors help drivers monitor surrounding traffic before changing direction, changing lane, overtaking, merging or slowing down. Because mirrors cannot show every area around a vehicle, drivers should also check their blind spots by direct observation where necessary before manoeuvring.

Left wing mirror on a car.
Wikimedia.org • Petar Milošević • CC BY-SA
What is a vehicle mirror?

A vehicle mirror allows the driver to observe traffic and other road users behind or beside the vehicle.

What is the difference between an interior and exterior mirror?

An interior rear-view mirror normally provides a view through the rear window, while exterior side mirrors provide views along the sides and towards the rear of the vehicle.

When should you check your mirrors?

Check your mirrors regularly and particularly before changing speed or direction, changing lane, overtaking, merging, turning or stopping.

Should you adjust your mirrors before driving?

Yes. Mirrors should be adjusted from the normal driving position before setting off so that they provide the intended view of traffic behind and beside the vehicle.

Do mirrors eliminate blind spots?

No. Even correctly adjusted mirrors can leave areas that are not visible to the driver. These are commonly called blind spots.

Should you check your blind spot before changing lane?

Yes. Where necessary, use a brief direct observation in addition to the mirrors before moving sideways so that a cyclist, motorcycle or other vehicle hidden from the mirrors is not overlooked.

Can a damaged mirror affect road safety?

Yes. A cracked, loose, missing or badly adjusted mirror can reduce the driver's view of surrounding traffic and should be repaired or replaced when necessary.

Can cameras replace conventional mirrors?

Some vehicles use approved camera-based indirect-vision systems instead of or in addition to conventional mirrors. Whether such a system is legally permitted depends on the vehicle's approval and local technical requirements.

Why should you check mirrors before opening a vehicle door?

Checking the mirrors can help detect cyclists, motorcyclists and other approaching road users before a door is opened into their path.

Do motorcycles also need mirrors?

Yes, according to the applicable vehicle requirements. Motorcycles normally have one or more rear-view mirrors so that the rider can observe traffic behind without turning around for extended periods.

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ... 101 Recreational vehicle 102 Scooter 103 Trikke 104 Personal mobility device 105 Skateboard 106 Segway 107 Kick scooter 108 Roller skates 109 Mailman 110 Hitchhiker 111 Toddler 112 Child 113 Disability 114 Livestock 115 Motorail 116 Street sweeper 117 Parking violation 118 km/h 119 mph 120 Speedometer 121 National speed 122 Speed cushion 123 Ride height 124 Dirt road 125 Driving 126 Start-stop system 127 Manual transmission 128 Automatic transmission 129 Throttle 130 Tachometer 131 Steering wheel 132 Power steering 133 Visual scanning 134 Mirror 135 Fuel 136 Fuel gauge 137 Petrol 138 Diesel 139 Diesel exhaust fluid 140 Car insurance 141 First aid kit 142 Fire extinguisher 143 High-visibility clothing 144 First aid 145 Concrete step barrier 146 Bollards 147 Barriers 148 Residents card 149 Vehicle lights 150 Street lights 151 Dipped beam 152 High beam 153 Fog lights 154 Front fog lights 155 Rear fog lights 156 Side lights 157 Turn signals 158 Hazard lights 159 Dashboard lights 160 Bicycle lighting 161 Bicycle bell 162 Headlight flashing 163 Seat belt 164 Child restraints 165 Head restraints 166 Airbag 167 ABS 168 Esp 169 Traction control system 170 Helmet 171 Bicycle helmet 172 Hands-free 173 Smartphone 174 GPS 175 Brake 176 Handbrake 177 Brake fluid 178 Tyres 179 Tyre code 180 Winter tyres 181 Tyre pressure 182 Snow chains 183 Bicycle tyre 184 Continuous track 185 Gross Vehicle Weight 186 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 187 Cargo 188 Car body 189 Trunk 190 Roof rack 191 Windscreen 192 Emergency hammer 193 Car battery 194 Traction battery 195 Suspension 196 Shock absorber 197 Spring 198 Exhaust 199 Exhaust gas 200 Soot 201 Catalytic converter 202 Engine 203 Petrol engine 204 Diesel engine 205 Electric motor 206 Timing belt 207 Glow plug 208 Cylinder 209 Engine oil 210 Coolant 211 Maintenance 212 Spare tyre 213 Flat tyre 214 Jack 215 Vehicle inspection 216 Key 217 Dashboard 218 Windscreen wiper 219 Doors 220 Glovebox 221 Visibility 222 Rain 223 Fog 224 Hail 225 Sunlight 226 Sunglasses 227 Salt 228 Air conditioning 229 Hydroplaning 230 Distraction 231 Emotions 232 Road rage 233 Health 234 Epilepsy 235 Night blindness 236 Visual impairment 237 Fatigue 238 Defects 239 Traffic violation 240 Alcohol 241 Alcohol control 242 Ignition interlock device 243 Breath test 244 Breath analysis 245 Blood alcohol content 246 Blood test 247 Saliva test 248 Drugs 249 Medication 250 Penalties 251 Speeding 252 Smoking 253 Traffic enforcement camera 254 Double curve 255 Accident 256 Injuries 257 Nosebleed 258 Damage 259 Breakdown 260 Warning triangle 261 Traffic rules 262 Driving school 263 Traffic signs