What Position Should the Rearview Mirrors Be Adjusted to for Subject Two?
3 Answers
For Subject Two, adjust the rearview mirrors to the highest position where you can just see the rear door handle. This is particularly helpful for parallel parking, reversing into the garage, and the hill start test. Here are the relevant details: 1. For the left rearview mirror, adjust the vertical position so that the distant horizon is centered, and the horizontal position so that the car body occupies one-fourth of the mirror's surface. For the right rearview mirror, adjust the vertical position to show a larger area of the ground, about two-thirds of the mirror's surface, and the horizontal position similarly so that the car body occupies one-fourth. 2. Before starting, always fasten your seatbelt and adjust the seat (the seatback angle greatly affects the rearview mirror visibility). The front door handle should be at the one-third position of the mirror (closer to you), and half of the rear wheel should be visible.
I always remind my students during driving lessons that rearview mirror adjustment is a crucial step for Subject 2. The left mirror should be positioned to show a small portion of the car body, about 1/4, so you can clearly see the rear wheels and ground markings when reversing into the parking space, ensuring you don't cross the lines. The right mirror should be tilted slightly downward, especially during parallel parking, to catch low boundary points and avoid blind spots. As for the interior mirror, adjust it to your eye level when sitting upright, giving you a full view of the rear window. Exam cars are usually basic models with either button or manual adjustment—get into the habit of adjusting the seat first, then the mirrors. I've noticed many test-takers skip this step and lose points in S-curves or slope stops due to poor visibility. Practice adjusting several times during training, using a fixed reference point like your shoulder position, so you can adjust effortlessly during the exam. Think of mirrors as your eyes—proper adjustment ensures safety and efficiency. Don't underestimate this detail.
When I was taking my driver's license test, I failed the reverse parking in Subject 2 because the mirrors weren't adjusted properly. The left mirror wasn't positioned correctly, making it hard to see the wheel's position, and I ended up touching the curb. Later, my instructor taught me to adjust it to an angle where I could see both the car body and the wheels, with the right mirror slightly tilted downward to better observe low markers in the test area. The interior mirror should fully cover the rear window, ensuring no obstructions block the view. Now, I always check the mirrors before driving—it's become second nature. For test maneuvers like right-angle turns, the height of the mirrors affects judgment points, and practice helps find the optimal position. My personal advice: adjust the mirrors as soon as you're seated, don't wait until the test starts; adjust gently without using excessive force to avoid damaging the equipment. Proper mirror adjustment is crucial for driving safety—developing this habit can save a lot of trouble and reduce blind spot risks.
