Is It Illegal To Drive With A Broken Side Mirror? (2026)

Is it Illegal to Drive Without Side Mirrors? Federal and State Safety Requirements

According to federal guidelines, every passenger vehicle, bus and truck must have a driver’s side mirror. One of the problems with these laws, however, is that they’re meant for the manufacturer of vehicles and don’t address what could happen if your mirror is damaged. That is when state laws come into play.

In the majority of states, you need to have at least two undamaged mirrors to see behind you. If you live in one of those states, having one side mirror and the rearview mirror intact can be enough. In others, however, you may not need any side mirrors as long as you can see behind the car.

A slightly damaged side mirror will usually not be a problem unless the mirror inside the vehicle is also damaged. In that case, you’re putting yourself at risk of causing auto accidents. Similarly, features like underglow lighting — while not always explicitly illegal — can still attract police attention if they're considered a distraction or visibility hazard on the road. The same goes for overly tinted windows, which can reduce visibility and violate state regulations depending on how dark they are or which windows are tinted.

Can you get pulled over for not having a side mirror? Yes. If the driver’s side mirror is gone or is not affixed correctly, you will likely be stopped by law enforcement. On the other hand, if the passenger side mirror is missing, most states only require that you have undamaged interior and driver’s side mirrors.

There are instances when you will need to have both side mirrors. One of these situations is if your rear view is obstructed, such as when you’re carrying cargo. Large vehicles, such as vans and trucks, often don’t have rear mirrors or windows, and that makes it essential to have two fully working side mirrors.

Commercial vehicles are required by law to have two side mirrors. This is because these large trucks have much bigger blind spots. They extend the length of the trailer on either side. With mirrors, it can be easier to navigate turns as well as reversing. Many trucks have multiple side mirrors, too, including convex ones that offer further angles.

Safety Risks of Driving Without Side Mirrors

Driving without side mirrors can put you at risk of suffering injuries in accidents. You will have a reduced side view, which makes turns and even changing lanes much more dangerous. You will not be able to see when it’s safe to overtake another vehicle.

Side mirrors and rearview mirrors give you a much better view of the road around you than your eyes alone do. There are still blind spots that you have to worry about, even with mirrors, so not having these can significantly increase the chances of a crash. A rear-end collision can easily occur without a rearview mirror, for example.

The more advanced camera systems available today in vehicles might assist with blind spots and other issues, but you still need the mirrors.

State-by-State Mirror Law Requirements

To see the difference between states when it comes to side mirrors, here’s a look at what the laws require.

Alabama

In Alabama, side mirrors are not required. You only need to have one working mirror that gives you a rear view with 200-ft.

California

California requires that there be at least two working mirrors that the driver can use to see behind the car. One of these mirrors must be on the left-hand side. The only vehicles excluded are motorcycles.

Colorado

Colorado requires that all passenger vehicles have working side mirrors if the rear window is obstructed or if the car doesn’t have a rear window.

Kansas

In Kansas, there must be one mirror on the driver’s side and one other mirror anywhere else in the vehicle. All of the mirrors must be in good condition.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts only states that there must be one mirror with rear and left side view.

Where to Get a Replacement Side Mirror

You can find replacement side mirrors at car dealerships as well as online. If you’re not auto-savvy and aren’t sure how to find the right part, it’s always better to turn to a mechanic who can point you the right way. That will prevent you from buying something that isn’t right for your car.

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Side Mirrors?

Aside from putting you at risk of car accidents, driving without side mirrors can also earn you some penalties. The exact penalties can depend on the state. In New York, for example, driving without at least one functional side mirror can mean a ticket of anywhere from $50 to $150.

In Florida, you can receive a ticket and points on your license, depending on whether this is the first offense or not. If you have a missing driver’s side mirror in North Carolina, you could face up to $100 in fines as well as additional court costs.

In New Jersey, the fine for driving without mirrors is $54, while in Virginia, you could face a fine of $30 and an additional processing fee of $51. These are seen as traffic infractions and not more serious offenses.

Most states will require that you pay a fine of some kind, and many will also add points to your license. An accumulation of points means facing higher insurance premiums. Additionally, if you do get into an accident because of your diminished visibility, you could face lawsuits.

One of the types of traffic tickets that you could get if you’re stopped for not having a side mirror is a fix-it ticket. These tickets can be resolved without you having to pay a fine or suffer any other consequences if you can address the problem within the allotted timeframe. In this case, it would mean replacing the missing mirror.

Steps to Take if Someone Broke Your Side Mirror

If someone’s negligence resulted in a broken side mirror, the first thing to do is to ensure the glass won’t fall off and that you have two full working mirrors before operating the vehicle.

You should then file a police report. This is generally a fast process that leaves a record of what occurred and that you can use to file a claim.

You’ll then need to replace the mirror. Check with your local dealerships and mechanics to see if they have available parts. It’s usually best if you have a mechanic install the part for you.

If the mirror was broken in an accident, you can include the cost of its replacement with the rest of the property damage in the claim or car accident lawsuit you file.

If the broken mirror was the only loss you suffered and you’re not filing a claim, you can choose not to go through your insurance, depending on the cost of the replacement. Most people choose to file a claim against their uninsured motorist property damage or collision coverage. These policies may apply, though there could be deductibles. Whether it’s worth going through the claims process or not will depend greatly on what your deductible threshold is.

But what if you damage another party’s side mirror? In that case, your liability insurance would address these expenses.

If you’re not sure what to do, you should speak with a lawyer to learn more about your options.

How a Lawyer Can Help

In most instances, you can receive what’s called a Fix-It ticket. If you fix the problem with the side mirror within the assigned deadline, the fine may be waived or reduced. You should hire an attorney if the fine is significant, you risk having a lot of points added to your license or if you have been in an accident because of missing mirrors.

A traffic ticket lawyer can help you fight the penalties you’re facing, while a car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and what options you may have after a collision.

Choosing Experienced Legal Counsel

If you’re facing steep penalties for driving with a broken or missing side mirror, auto lawyers can guide you. At ConsumerShield, our team can connect you with experienced and trusted attorneys around the country who can offer the support and counsel you need.

Contact our team at ConsumerShield to see what your legal options are.