Learn the correct way to adjust your rear-view, left, and right mirrors using the SAE blind spot method. Includes driving test tips and a step-by-step breakdown.
Most drivers adjust their mirrors wrong. They angle the side mirrors inward so they can see the side of their own car — which feels reassuring but actually maximizes blind spots instead of eliminating them. The correct method, developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), does the opposite: angle the side mirrors outward until your car's body just disappears from view. Here's how to do it for each of the three mirrors.
Key Takeaways
- The SAE blind spot method positions side mirrors so you can't see your own vehicle — this reduces blind spots significantly.
- Each of the three mirrors has a distinct correct position; adjusting them together as a system is what eliminates coverage gaps.
- Mirror adjustment is checked on most road tests — examiners notice if you skip it before driving.
- Wheelingo's driving test practice includes mirror-check scenarios so you know exactly what examiners look for.
Marcus was 17 and had studied hard. He knew the road signs, he'd aced his permit test, and he was confident going into his road test. What he hadn't practiced was pre-drive setup. When the examiner got in the car, Marcus immediately reached for the key.
The examiner made a note on the clipboard. Marcus moved the car forward into the parking lot exit, clipped a traffic cone he didn't see on his right side, and the test was over in under two minutes. He'd never adjusted his right side mirror at all. It was still set for his older brother, who was six inches taller.
Mirror adjustment isn't just a pre-drive ritual. It determines what you can actually see.
Every car has three mirrors that work together as a system. The rear-view mirror handles what's directly behind you through the back windshield. The left (driver's) side mirror covers the left rear quarter of the car. The right (passenger's) side mirror covers the right rear quarter.
Position them so their fields of view overlap slightly — creating a continuous visual band around the rear of the vehicle with no dark zones. When set correctly, a car passing on your left transitions smoothly from the rear-view mirror into the side mirror, then into your peripheral vision, with no gap.
The rear-view mirror is the easiest to set. Sit in your normal driving position first — don't lean forward.
Steps:
This is where the SAE method diverges from habit. Most people set the left mirror so they can see a sliver of their car's left side panel. The SAE method says to move it outward past that point.
Steps:
From your normal driving position, the mirror now shows a wider slice of the left lane. A car that would've been in your blind spot is now visible — and when it exits the mirror's view, it enters your peripheral vision with no gap.
The right mirror uses the same SAE principle but adjusts for the fact that you're farther from this mirror and your viewing angle is shallower.
Steps:
Because the right side mirror is farther away, it also shows more ground directly alongside the car — which is useful for parallel parking and lane changes near curbs.
| Mirror | Correct Position | What You Should See |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-view | Centered on rear windshield | Full rear window, horizon bisects the frame |
| Left side (SAE method) | Angled outward past car's body | Left lane, minimal or no car body visible |
| Right side (SAE method) | Angled outward past car's body | Right lane and curb, minimal car body visible |
Even with perfect SAE mirror adjustment, a narrow zone directly beside and behind the vehicle remains uncovered. That's the true blind spot — smaller than with traditional adjustment, but still there.
Before changing lanes, shoulder-check by turning your head 45 degrees toward the window in your direction of travel. This takes about half a second and covers the final gap your mirrors can't reach. With SAE-adjusted mirrors, most of the lane danger zone is already visible in the side mirror — the shoulder check is a quick final confirmation, not a substitute for the mirror.
Examiners expect you to adjust your mirrors before moving the car. A deliberate adjustment of each mirror is enough — you don't need to narrate it or make a production of it.
Adjust the rear-view, then the left mirror, then the right, in order — before you start moving. Examiners aren't verifying the SAE method specifically; they're checking that you understand your mirrors need to be set for your body before you drive.
Skipping mirror adjustment entirely is a noted safety omission. Combine that with failing to check mirrors during lane changes and you're accumulating critical errors fast.
Mirror adjustment shows up on DMV written tests as well — expect questions about when to use mirrors, what blind spots are, and how to check them. Wheelingo's state-specific practice tests include these scenarios, and the driving animations show mirror-check situations the way they actually unfold on the road.
If you want to practice the mirror and blind spot questions your state's DMV actually asks, start a free practice session at wheelingo.com — no account needed.
How is Wheelingo different from other DMV practice test tools? Wheelingo uses driving animations to show road scenarios in motion — including mirror and blind spot situations — rather than static text questions. It's 100% free, covers all 50 US states, requires no account, and 94% of users pass on the first attempt.
Is Wheelingo free? Yes. Wheelingo is completely free — no subscription, no account, no ads. Start practicing state-specific DMV questions in 30 seconds.
What is the SAE mirror adjustment method? The Society of Automotive Engineers method positions side mirrors outward until you can no longer see the side of your own vehicle. This dramatically reduces blind spots compared to the traditional inward position most drivers use by default.
Do I have to adjust my mirrors on the driving test? Yes. Examiners expect a pre-drive safety check that includes adjusting all three mirrors. Skipping it signals you don't understand vehicle setup. Check mirrors during every lane change throughout the test as well.
What's the difference between a blind spot and a mirror's field of view? A mirror's field of view is what the mirror reflects. A blind spot is the zone no mirror can cover — directly beside and slightly behind the vehicle. The SAE method shrinks that zone, but a shoulder check is still required before lane changes.