Mirror Laws in Florida
Bill Allen | August 1, 2024 | Florida Law
Cars are designed to get you from point A to point B both comfortably and safely. There are several features designed to help you meet these goals, including mirrors that can be used to see areas beside and behind your vehicle.
Whether you’re changing lanes or backing up in a parking lot, mirrors help to ensure that you can see all around your vehicle and avoid striking objects, other cars, or people in your path. While some drivers may feel that modern equipment like backup cameras and sensors attached to warning alarms makes mirrors obsolete, there are laws requiring them.
Understanding mirror laws by state is essential to avoiding tickets and car accidents. Is it illegal to drive without a side mirror in Florida? What about a rear-view mirror? Here’s everything you need to know.
Florida Rules For Rear-View Mirrors
Laws regarding mirrors vary by state, with some requiring one rear-view mirror in addition to one or two side mirrors. But is it illegal to drive without a rear-view mirror in Florida? The answer is yes.
Florida Statute 316.294 says that any vehicle, whether it is being operated on its own or towing another vehicle, must have a mirror that provides the driver with a view of the rear that extends at least 200 feet.
What does this mean for Florida drivers? The law specifically states that vehicles must have “a mirror” but also that the mirror must provide a rear view. That distinction is important if, for example, you have a car like a Jeep with removable doors. It means you don’t need side mirrors if you have a rear-view mirror on the windshield with an unobstructed view.
But what if that view is obstructed? Statute 316.2954 states that in the event a rear window is made nontransparent, the vehicle may only be operated on a public highway, road, or street if it is equipped with side mirrors on both sides.
If you want tinted windows or you frequently attach a trailer to your vehicle that obstructs the rearview, it’s probably best to have side mirrors attached.
Is There a Benefit To Removing Side Mirrors?
There are a few reasons why a vehicle owner might remove side mirrors. As noted above, they may be attached to removable doors. Some people remove them to improve aerodynamics and optimize fuel economy, although the resulting savings are probably negligible.
You might feel that newer features, such as backup cameras or side sensors that alert you of cars in your blind spot, make side mirrors redundant. Maybe you like the sleek look of a vehicle without any side mirrors, or you want to remove obstacles to parking in narrow spaces. Unfortunately, eliminating side mirrors can impact your safety.
The Benefits of Having Both Side and Rear-View Mirrors
Side mirrors contribute to the function and safety of your vehicle. Using side mirrors when changing lanes can help you avoid highway crashes, and using them while you back up can give you a clearer view of any people or objects behind your vehicle so you don’t hit them.
Having side mirrors can also help you avoid traffic stops. Officers who see a car without side mirrors may want to check the rear-view mirror to ensure compliance with the law, especially if the car’s rear window is tinted or the car is towing a trailer.
Is Removing Mirrors Worth the Risk?
Although Florida law allows for the use of only a single rear-view mirror, there are several reasons to keep one or both side mirrors. Whether you’re interested in safety, your rear window is obstructed, or you simply want to avoid traffic stops, you stand to gain more by keeping your side mirrors than you might by removing them.
Contact Our Ocala Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
