Mirror Checks on Your Driving Test: 7 Mistakes to Avoid

Mirror checks are one of the basic driving skills every learner practises, but they're also easy to forget when you're concentrating on everything else happening during your test.

The important thing isn't simply moving your head towards the mirrors.

You need to check at the right time, understand what you see and use that information before you act.

Here are 7 mirror mistakes to watch out for on your driving test.

1. Forgetting Mirrors Before Changing Direction

Before changing direction, check what's happening around your vehicle.

This includes situations such as:

1) Turning left

2) Turning right

3) Changing lanes

4) Moving around an obstruction

5) Pulling into or away from the side of the road

Your mirror checks should happen early enough for the information to actually help you make a safe decision.

2. Checking Mirrors Too Late

A mirror check isn't very useful if you've already started your manoeuvre.

For example, don't begin changing lanes and then check whether another vehicle is beside you.

Check first, assess what you see and then decide whether it's safe to continue.

Think:

Mirrors, decision, action.

3. Using the Wrong Mirror

Different situations require you to check different areas around your vehicle.

Before moving left, you'll normally need information about what's happening behind and to your left.

Before moving right, you'll need to know what's happening behind and to your right.

Don't automatically perform exactly the same mirror routine regardless of what you're about to do.

4. Forgetting Mirrors Before Changing Speed

Mirrors aren't only for changing direction.

Before making a significant change in speed, you should be aware of what's happening behind you.

For example, if you're approaching a hazard and need to slow down, checking your mirrors helps you understand how closely another vehicle may be following.

You can then respond smoothly and safely.

5. Looking Without Actually Observing

It's possible to physically look at a mirror without properly processing what you've seen.

Ask yourself:

1) Is another vehicle approaching?

2) Is someone overtaking me?

3) Is there a cyclist or motorcyclist nearby?

4) How close is the vehicle behind?

5) Is it safe to make my planned move?

Your examiner is interested in whether you use the information, not whether you simply move your head.

6. Forgetting Mirrors After a Hazard

Once you've dealt with a junction, roundabout or other hazard, continue monitoring what's happening around you.

Traffic conditions can change quickly.

Regular awareness of the road behind you helps you understand the overall traffic situation rather than concentrating only on what's directly ahead.

7. Exaggerating Your Mirror Checks

Some learners deliberately make huge head movements because they're worried the examiner won't notice their mirror checks.

You don't need to turn every check into an exaggerated movement.

Instead, concentrate on making natural, effective and correctly timed observations.

Your checks should be part of your normal driving routine.

Common Mirror Mistakes

Watch out for these during your lessons:

1) Changing lanes before checking mirrors

2) Signalling without checking what's around you

3) Checking mirrors too late

4) Forgetting mirrors before changing speed

5) Looking at a mirror without processing what you see

6) Missing cyclists or motorcyclists

7) Checking only the interior mirror

8) Performing unnecessary exaggerated checks

9) Concentrating so much on mirrors that you stop looking ahead

The goal isn't to check your mirrors as many times as possible.

The goal is to check them when the information matters.

🚗 Looking for an Earlier Driving Test?

If you're ready for your driving test but your current appointment is too far away, earlier appointments can sometimes become available when other learners change or cancel their bookings.

Use the DriveCircle Browser to help search for earlier driving test opportunities more efficiently.

👉 Launch the DriveCircle Browser here and start searching for an earlier driving test today.

Final Tip

Don't think:

“Will the examiner see me checking my mirrors?”

Think:

“What do I need to know before I make my next move?”

Check your mirrors at the right time, understand what you see and use that information to make a safe decision.

Good observation should become a habit, not something you only do for the test. 🚗