September 2011
Notice of New Regulations Regarding Additional Mirror
Requirements for Heavy Goods Vehicles
Dear Stakeholder,
From 01 October 2012, all Heavy Goods Vehicles over 7500kg design gross vehicle weight must be
equipped with a Class VI (Cyclops) front mirror which fulfil the requirements of Directive 2003/97/EC
for Class VI mirrors .
The Regulations were signed into Iaw by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport under S.I. No.
457/2011 — Road Traffic (Driving Mirrors - Additional Requirements for Heavy Goods Vehicles)
Regulations 2011. Compliance with the regulations is deemed to be achieved where the vehicle is
equipped with a front mirror or mirrors covering at least 95% of the field of vision at ground level of
a Class VI mirror as specified by the Directive.
In certain vehicles where the driver has a clear view of the area in front of the vehicle, a class VI
mirror may not be required. For example if the driver seat and cab are lower to the ground than a
normal HGV, the front blind spot may be sufficiently small enough so that an additional mirror is not
required. Further details can be found in Directive 2003/97/EC, Annex III, 5.6. Type Approved Class
VI Mirrors
The periodic roadworthiness test for HGVs will be updated before October 2012 to include a test for
compliance with the new Regulations.
Should you have further queries please contact us on 096 25014 or by email at
[email protected]
Yours sincerely,
Vehicle Standards,
Road Safety Authority,
Moy Valley Business Park,
Primrose Hill,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo