Are Towing Mirrors Legal in the UK?

Conditional

Towing mirrors are legal in the UK, and in fact required when a caravan or trailer is wider than the car and blocks your normal mirrors. The condition is that you fit them to tow a wide load and take them off again once you are not.

Why?

The law requires an adequate view to the rear down both sides of the car. A wide caravan or trailer blocks the standard door mirrors, so extension "towing mirrors" that reach out past the load are how you stay legal, and driving a wide outfit without an adequate view is the offence.

The flip side is that they are for towing only. Left on when you are not towing a wide load, big extended mirrors stick out further than the car needs and can be treated as an unnecessary projection, so you remove them once the caravan or trailer is off.

While fitted they must be securely mounted and give a clear, usable view. Get that right and towing mirrors are not just legal but the correct kit; leave them on unladen, or tow a wide load without them, and you have a problem.

What decides if it's legal

When towing a wide caravan or trailer you must have an adequate view down both sides.
Extension towing mirrors are how most cars meet that requirement.
They must be removed once you are no longer towing a wide load.
They must be secure and not protrude dangerously.

Does it depend on your car?

Whether you need them depends on how wide the trailer is compared with your car, not on the make of car. The adequate-view requirement is the same for every vehicle towing a wide load.

Related guides

Aftermarket Mirrors and Mirror Deletes: The UK Rules

Related legality guides

Find your car in the garage

Sources

This page is general guidance, not legal advice, on the rules in the UK for towing mirrors. The detail varies by exact vehicle and changes over time - confirm with your insurer and the latest DVSA and GOV.UK guidance before modifying.