Hong Kong Regulations

ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 39

Reflecting mirrors

(Past version on 30/06/1997).

(1) Every private car, taxi, light bus, bus, goods vehicle and special purpose
vehicle shall be equipped with at least two mirrors one of which shall be
fitted externally on the off side of the vehicle and the other either
internally or on the near side externally and the mirrors shall be so
constructed and fitted to the vehicle as to assist the driver, if he so
desires, to become aware of traffic to the rear and on both sides rearwards.

(2) Every motor cycle, motor tricycle and invalid carriage shall be equipped
with a mirror fitted externally on the off side of the vehicle and so
constructed and fitted as to assist the driver, if he so desires, to become
aware of traffic to the rear.

(2A) Subject to paragraph (2B), every public bus, private bus,
public light bus and private light bus shall be equipped with at least one
mirror which shall be fitted externally on the near side front of the vehicle
and the mirror shall be of such size and so constructed and fitted to the
vehicle sufficient as to give the driver, when looking in the mirror, a full
and clear view of any passenger who is alighting from the vehicle. (L.N. 96 of
1997; L.N. 306 of 1998)

(2B) Paragraph (2A) shall not apply to a public bus, private bus,
public light bus or private light bus registered before 1 May 1997 until-

   (a)  that bus is required to be produced at any time on or after 1 November
        1998 for examination pursuant to section 78 of the Ordinance; or

   (b)  1 November 1999, whichever is the earlier. (L.N. 306 of 1998)

(3) The edges of any mirror fitted internally to the vehicle to assist any
person, if he so desires, to become aware of traffic to the rear of the
vehicle shall be surrounded by some material such as will make it unlikely
that severe cuts will be inflicted in the event of the mirror or that material
being struck by any occupant of the vehicle.

(4) Every mirror fitted externally on a vehicle shall comply with the
following requirements-

   (a)  it shall be fitted to the vehicle in such a way that it remains steady
        under normal driving conditions;

   (b)  in the case of a vehicle fitted with windows and a windscreen, it
        shall be fitted in such a way as to be visible to the driver, when in
        his driving position, through a side window or through the portion of
        the windscreen which is swept by the windscreen wipers; and

   (c)  when the bottom of the mirror is less than 2 metres above the road
        surface when the vehicle is laden, it shall not project more than 10
        centimetres beyond the overall width of the vehicle, or, in the case
        where the vehicle is towing a trailer with an overall width greater
        than that of the towing vehicle, not more than 20 centimetres beyond
        the overall width of the trailer, unless the mirror is designed so as
        not to cause injury to any person in the event of a collision.