Adjusting mirrors at the race track: how to avoid penalties on the exam

Adjusting the rear-view mirrors at the race track may seem like a small thing, but it is what causes 30% penalty points at the traffic police exam. Inspectors record the slightest mistakes: invisible markings, incorrect viewing angles, or forgotten side mirrors. At the same time, in Road Rules 2026 There are no clear requirements for setting up - only a general phrase about “sufficient visibility”. How to prepare mirrors so that they pass the first time?

The problem is that most cadets adjust their mirrors "by eye", without taking into account the characteristics of a particular car and exercise. For example, for parallel parking one position is needed, but for "check-in to the garage" - another. In this article we will analyze universal setup scheme approved by instructors with 10 years of experience, as well as typical mistakes due to which cadets “fail” the exam in the first minutes.

Why does mirror adjustment affect exam results?

According to Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 995 (clause 15), the inspector has the right to terminate the exam if the cadet "did not ensure traffic safety". Incorrectly adjusted mirrors fall under this formulation, as they limit the view. For example:

• 🚗 Rear wheel not visible — risk of hitting markings when parking.
• 👀 Blind zone more than 1 meter - it is impossible to control the change back.
• 🔄 Distorted Reflection — leads to errors in distance estimation.

According to statistics from Moscow driving schools, 4 out of 5 cadets make at least one of these mistakes. At the same time traffic police inspectors Often they don’t explain what exactly is wrong - they just give it a “failed” rating. To avoid this, you need to understand three key principles:

⚠️ Attention: If there is a button inside the car Auto Dim (automatic dimming mirrors), turn it off before the exam. This function distorts the actual dimensions of the car in the dark, which can confuse you during the “Overpass” exercise.

Error	Consequences on the exam	How to avoid
Mirrors are adjusted to the height of the instructor	Can't see the curb when parking	Adjust mirrors after taking a seat behind the wheel
Viewing angle too wide	Distorts the distance to the cones	It should be visible in the side mirrors 1/3 body + road
Rear mirror pointed at the ceiling	Stop line markings are not visible	The bottom edge of the mirror should "cut" the rear glass in half

Preparing for adjustment: what to check before adjustment

Before turning the mirror levers, make sure the car is ready for adjustment. Here 5-point checklist, which instructors use before the exam:

Make sure the seat is adjusted to your height (knees slightly bent, arms at 9 and 3 o'clock)

Check the cleanliness of the glass and mirrors (dust and dirt distort the view)

Disable automatic folding mirrors (if equipped)

Make sure the adjustment levers are not locked (some models have a locking mechanism)

Ask the instructor to get out of the car (his presence in the cabin changes the center of gravity of the car) -->

Pay special attention seat position. If the backrest is tilted too far back, you will have to reach for the mirror adjustment lever, which will result in inaccurate adjustments. The optimal backrest angle is: 100-110 degrees (can be checked using a smartphone by placing it on the seat and using the level app).

One more nuance - electric mirrors. During the traffic police exam, cars with mechanical adjustment are often given (for example, Lada Granta or Kia Rio older generations). If you are used to push-button controls, practice the mechanics in advance: the pressing force and the trajectory of the lever are different!

Mechanical (levers)

Electrical (buttons)

Combined (levers + heating)

I don't know, I didn't pay attention -->

Step-by-step setup of the interior rear view mirror

The interior mirror is the easiest to adjust, but there are pitfalls here too. The main mistake cadets make is tuning “for themselves” instead of “for the exam.” The inspector is not checking your comfort, but visibility of key elements:

1. Get in the car and take working posture: hands on the steering wheel, back pressed against the seat.

2. Look in the mirror - you should see entire rear window without "dead zones" at the edges. If you can see the ceiling or floor of the cabin, adjust the tilt.

3. Look down at bottom edge of the mirror — it should “cut” the rear window approximately in half. This is necessary to see the markings when reversing.

4. Check visibility rear passenger seats. If they are not visible, the mirror is too twisted upward.

For exercise "Overpass" The interior mirror needs to be adjusted a little differently: tilt it down by 5-7 degrees, to better see the "Stop" line at the bottom of the slide. This will help to more accurately fix the car when stopping.

Adjusting the left side mirror: diagram for the circuit

The left mirror is the most important for exercises "Parallel parking" and "Checking in to the garage". The rule applies here "1/3 body + road". Let's take it step by step:

1. Lean to the left until your head almost touches the side window. In this position you should see rear left wheel car.

2. Return to normal position. Now you should be able to see in the mirror ~30% of the body (door and part of the rear wing) and 70% of the road.

3. Lower the mirror down until you see asphalt at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from the car. This will help you navigate the markings.

4. Check blind spot: if you cannot see the car coming from behind at a distance of 3 meters, the mirror is too twisted forward.

For exercise "Snake" The left mirror can be moved forward slightly to better control the front left wheel when going around cones. But don’t overdo it - if the mirror protrudes beyond the dimensions of the car, the inspector may consider it violation of traffic rules (clause 7.16).

How to check the blind spot of the left mirror?

Stand behind the car at a distance of 3 meters diagonally (as if you were overtaking). If you can't see yourself in the mirror when you're driving, your blind spot is too big. Adjust the mirror so that you can at least partially see yourself.

Right side mirror: settings features

The right mirror is adjusted according to the same principle as the left one, but with two important adjustments:

1. Since the driver sits on the left, the right mirror should be a little wider left. It should be visible ~40% body and 60% of the road.

2. The downward angle should be lessthan the left mirror, since there are usually no curbs on the right (the exception is the “Parking with a 90-degree turn” exercise).

For exercise "Turning in a Confined Space" The right mirror can be turned up a little to better see the rear right wheel. This will help avoid hitting cones when reversing.

Please note aspherical mirrors (with a convex surface), which are installed on some training vehicles. They give a wider view, but distort the distance. If your driving school has such a car, practice assessing the dimensions in advance using such a mirror - in reality the car will be closer than it seems.

Typical mistakes of cadets and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes when adjusting their mirrors. And in the traffic police exam, these little things can be worth passing. Here TOP-5 errors, which inspectors record:

• 🔧 Adjusting mirrors while moving — according to clause 2.7 of the traffic rules, the driver must ensure safety before moving. Adjustment on the move is equated to “failure to ensure control over the vehicle.”
• 👓 Using someone else's settings - if you get into the car after another cadet, necessarily reconfigure the mirrors to suit you, even if it “seems normal”.
• 🌓 They forget about the night setting — if the exam takes place in the dark, the mirrors need to be lowered slightly to avoid being blinded by headlights from behind.
• 🚫 Ignore review check - after setup necessarily Check the visibility of all wheels and corners of the car.
• 🔄 Too frequent adjustments - if you constantly adjust the mirrors during the exercise, the inspector may consider this uncertain management.

Especially often mistakes are made by cadets who are used to driving cars with rear view cameras. During the traffic police exam, such cameras are usually turned off, and you have to rely only on the mirrors. If you learned in a car with a camera, practice parking without it in advance.

⚠️ Attention: At some racetracks (for example, in the Moscow region), inspectors check the mirror settings before moving. If you do not manage to adjust them within the allotted 2 minutes of preparation, the exam will be terminated. Practice adjusting your mirrors 30-40 seconds.

How to check if the settings are correct: 1 minute test

Before the exam begins, you will have 2 minutes for preparation. Use this time to check your mirrors express method:

1. Interior mirror test: Close your eyes, tilt your head forward, then look in the mirror. You should see right away entire rear window without searching with your eyes.

2. Left mirror test: Press against the left door and look behind you - you should see the rear left wheel. Returning to normal position, check if you can see 1/3 body.

3. Right mirror test: Repeat the same, but on the right side. Allowed to be seen here 1/2 body.

4. Blind spot test: Ask the instructor to stand behind the car at a distance of 3 meters diagonally. You should see him in one of the mirrors.

If at least one of the tests fails - urgently reconfigure the mirrors. Remember that during the exam the proctor will not wait for you to find a comfortable position.

Additional lifehacks for passing the exam

Besides the basic setup, there are several professional trickswhich instructors use to train cadets:

• 🎯 Marker on the mirror: Before the exam, place a small colored dot (such as duct tape) on the bottom edge of the left mirror. When the point coincides with the curb, this is a signal that it is time to start turning the steering wheel when parking.
• 🔄 Double check: before starting to reverse necessarily turn your head and look over your shoulder. Mirrors give a distorted idea of ​​distance.
• 🌈 Colored marks: If the lane markings are hard to see, ask your instructor to mark the cones with colored tape (for example, red in front, blue in back). This will help you navigate faster.

Another useful tip - muscle memory training. Before the exam, practice adjusting the mirrors with your eyes closed, remembering the number of turns of the lever. During the exam, this will help save time and avoid unnecessary movements.

If you are taking the test in a car with electric mirrors, remember the sequence of button presses. For example, on Hyundai Solaris To lower the left mirror you need to press the button to the left, then down. On Volkswagen Polo — first select the mirror with the joystick, then adjust. These little things can be confusing in a stressful situation.

Frequently asked questions about adjusting mirrors at the race track

Is it possible to adjust the mirrors while doing the exercise?

No, this is considered a violation of clause 2.7 of the traffic rules (“the driver is obliged to make sure it is safe before driving”). The inspector may stop the exam if you adjust your mirrors while moving. An exception is if the mirror has moved (for example, due to hitting an obstacle), but this will be difficult to prove.

What should I do if the exam mirrors are electric, but I’m used to mechanical ones?

Practice different types of adjustments in advance. Electric mirrors usually adjust faster, but require getting used to the sensitivity of the buttons. During the exam, do not press the buttons too hard - light touches are enough. If the mirror has moved too far, do not panic: return it to its original position and adjust again.

How do I adjust my mirrors if I'm short/tall?

For short stature: tilt the interior mirror slightly forward, lower the side mirrors lower to see the road closer to the car. For tall people: tilt the interior mirror back and raise the side mirrors to reduce the blind spot. The main thing is that the rear wheels are visible in the side mirrors.

What happens if the inspector says the mirrors are not adjusted correctly?

The inspector does not have the right to point out errors during the exam (clause 17 of the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). If he notices an incorrect setting, he will simply mark it in the protocol. Your task is to check everything in advance. If the inspector nevertheless makes a comment, calmly re-adjust the mirrors (but not while moving!).

Do I need to adjust the mirrors for each exercise separately?

Ideal - yes, but there is no time for this during the exam. Adjust your mirrors universal scheme (described above), and then adjust them minimally for a specific exercise. For example, for the “Overpass”, lower the interior mirror a little, for the “Garage” - unscrew the left mirror down.