A correctly adjusted mirror gives you useful information before you move, merge or reverse. A poorly adjusted one can leave you guessing. Learning how to set driving mirrors is one of the first practical habits that helps learner drivers feel more in control – and it is a habit worth getting right before every trip.
Your mirrors do not replace looking over your shoulder for blind spots. They do, however, reduce the area you cannot see, help you keep track of surrounding traffic and give you a calmer, more accurate view of the road. For learners preparing for the WA Practical Driving Assessment (PDA), setting them properly also shows that you have prepared the vehicle safely.
Set your seat before your mirrors
Do not adjust mirrors until your driving position is right. If you move the seat afterwards, your view will change and you will need to start again.
Sit upright with your back supported by the seat. Adjust the seat so you can fully press the brake pedal while keeping a slight bend in your knee. Your hands should reach the steering wheel comfortably, without stretching or locking your elbows. Set the head restraint so its centre is roughly level with the back of your head, then adjust the steering wheel if the vehicle allows it.
Once you are seated properly, keep your normal driving posture while adjusting each mirror. Avoid leaning towards the window, twisting in the seat or slouching. The aim is to see clearly when you are driving naturally, not only when you are positioned specifically for the adjustment.
How to set driving mirrors step by step
Most cars have three mirrors: the interior rear-view mirror and two external side mirrors. Start with the interior mirror, then move to the driver’s side and passenger side mirrors.
Adjust the interior rear-view mirror
The interior mirror should frame the entire rear window. You want to see as much of the window as possible, including the road directly behind your vehicle, without seeing too much of the roof lining or rear seats.
Use the mirror itself to adjust the view, not your body position. When set correctly, you should be able to glance at it briefly and quickly understand what is behind you. This is particularly useful before braking, turning, changing lanes or responding to traffic approaching from behind.
At night, many vehicles have an anti-glare setting on the bottom of the mirror. If headlights behind you are dazzling, use it when appropriate. Remember that the view may become slightly dimmer, so keep your mirror clean and switch it back when needed.
Adjust the driver’s side mirror
Set the driver’s side mirror so you can see the lane beside you and a small strip of your own car along the inner edge. The horizon should sit around the middle of the mirror where practical, giving you a balanced view of nearby vehicles and the road surface.
Seeing a narrow portion of your vehicle provides a reference point. It helps you judge where your car sits in the lane and confirms that the mirror is still in the correct position. If half the mirror is filled by the side of your car, the angle is too far inward and you are wasting valuable vision of the adjacent lane.
Adjust the passenger side mirror
Use the same principle for the passenger side mirror: a small strip of the car on the inside edge, with most of the view showing the lane and traffic beside you. Because this mirror is farther away, objects can appear smaller or more distant than they really are. Take extra care when judging the speed and distance of vehicles approaching from behind.
In some vehicles, the passenger mirror may be convex. A convex mirror offers a wider field of view but can make vehicles appear farther away. Read any warning printed on the mirror and allow more space rather than assuming you have time to move.
Check your mirrors before moving off
Mirror setup is only useful if you use the mirrors at the right times. Before moving off from the kerb or a parked position, check the interior mirror, the relevant side mirror and your blind spot. This observation sequence helps you identify cyclists, motorbikes, pedestrians and vehicles that may not appear clearly in the mirrors.
Use a quick, purposeful glance. Looking in a mirror for too long means you are not looking ahead, where the main driving task is happening. A brief check gives you the information you need while keeping your attention on the road in front.
For a lane change, check your interior mirror first to understand the traffic behind you. Then check the side mirror for the lane you intend to enter, indicate in good time, and perform a head check over the relevant shoulder before moving sideways. Mirrors show a lot, but every vehicle has blind spots. A head check is the final safety check before changing position.
When reversing, use all available information. Check the rear-view mirror, side mirrors and surrounding area, then turn and look through the rear window where appropriate. Reversing cameras and parking sensors are helpful aids, but they are not a substitute for direct observation.
Common mirror-setting mistakes learners make
A frequent mistake is setting mirrors to show too much of the vehicle. Learners often do this because seeing the car feels reassuring, but it narrows the view of nearby traffic. You only need a slim reference strip of the car, not a large section of the doors or rear panels.
Another mistake is adjusting mirrors while the car is moving. If you notice that a mirror is out of position, wait until you can stop safely. Taking a hand or your attention away from the driving task at the wrong moment can create an unnecessary risk.
Some drivers also rely on mirrors instead of turning their head. This can be especially risky around roundabouts, when merging onto busy roads, leaving the kerb or changing lanes near cyclists. The correct approach is mirrors plus a blind-spot check, not one instead of the other.
Finally, do not forget practical visibility. A dirty mirror, fogged glass or rain-covered surface can make a correctly positioned mirror ineffective. Before driving, make sure the mirrors and windows are clean. In wet weather, take a little extra time because water droplets and glare can hide movement around your vehicle.
Mirror use in the WA PDA
During a Practical Driving Assessment, the assessor is looking for safe, consistent observation rather than exaggerated head movements. You should check mirrors regularly as conditions change and before actions that affect other road users. These include moving off, stopping, turning, changing lanes, merging, reversing and responding to hazards.
Your checks should make sense for the situation. For example, you do not need to stare into every mirror repeatedly on an empty straight road. But if you are approaching an intersection, slowing down, preparing to turn or travelling near parked cars, mirror checks help you identify what may be following or passing you.
A good instructor will help you build a natural scan pattern rather than asking you to memorise a performance for the test. At Drive Solo, learners are shown how mirror checks, head checks, speed control and positioning work together on real Perth roads. The goal is not simply to satisfy the PDA. It is to make safe observation automatic when you are driving independently.
Make it part of your pre-drive routine
Each time you get into a different vehicle, allow a moment to set your seat, steering wheel and mirrors before you start. This matters when you share a family car, use a driving instructor’s vehicle or drive a hire car on test day. Even a small difference in seat position can change your blind areas.
If another person has driven the car, assume the mirrors will need adjusting. Check them while parked, with the handbrake applied and before selecting a gear. It takes less than a minute and can prevent a rushed decision later.
The best mirror position is the one that gives you a clear, balanced view while you sit comfortably and drive with full control. Set them before every trip, use them often but briefly, and always back them up with a proper head check when your vehicle is about to move sideways. That simple routine will support safer decisions long after the test is over.
