Blind spot and indirect vision

	What the law requires	What that means on the road	Where it goes wrong
Three mirrors	Cars from after 25 January 2010 must have a left exterior mirror, a right exterior mirror AND an interior mirror. If the interior mirror gives no adequate rear view, it need not be present (paragraph 2).	The exception in paragraph 2 exists for vans without a rear window — not for a car where the mirror is askew or the load blocks the view.	Setting the door mirrors so that you see your own car. That duplicates what the interior mirror already shows and actually enlarges the blind spot.
Camera instead of a mirror	The law defines an indirect-vision device as a MIRROR, a CAMERA-MONITOR or another device giving information about the indirect field of view.	A camera system is therefore not an aid beside the mirror but a full form of it — provided it meets the same requirements.	Taking a parking camera for such a device. It shows only behind the bumper; the “area adjoining the vehicle” is far larger than that.
Who is in the blind spot	Art. 18(1) describes it without naming it — traffic BESIDE you or CLOSE BEHIND you on the left or the right. You give way to that traffic.	The duty does not hang on “did I see him” but on “is he there”. Not seeing is no defence.	Relying on the mirror alone. That is exactly why the shoulder check exists — the law demands the RESULT and leaves the means to you.
During a special manoeuvre	When moving off, reversing, turning round, merging and changing lanes you give way to ALL other traffic.	“All other traffic” admits no blind-spot exception. If you cannot see a direction, that is a reason not to go, not a reason to go carefully anyway.	Reversing by feel because there are sensors. The sensors report distance, not who is approaching; art. 54 asks for the second.

The law itself

RegelingVoertuigen art. 1.1 (voorziening voor indirect zicht)RegelingVoertuigen art. 5.2.45 lid 1 RegelingVoertuigen art. 5.2.45 lid 2 RVV1990 art. 18 lid 1 RVV1990 art. 54

Verified on: 2026-08-07