# What is dual side mirror? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 12, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441 "2025-08-12T17:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/1 "2025-08-12T17:31:58Z")
I have to get my car state inspection done. The window tint guy no longer offers tint due to the law cracking down on tinted windows. This leaves me in bad situation. From Google search, I read: “ The windshield and front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to pass through (meaning the tint can block no more than 30% of the light), while the rear windows can have any darkness of tint as long as the vehicle has dual side mirrors, **[according to the NY DMV](https://dmv.ny.gov/inspections/tinted-windows)**.” I’m not sure what it means by dual side mirrors so the back windows can be tinted at any %. What is dual side mirrors? Is it just two normal mirrors on a car ? Or these some special mirrors ? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/2 "2025-08-12T17:36:20Z")
For crying out loud. A simple Google search would have answered your question in less time that it took you to post. You don’t seem to have much trouble using Cartalk as you claim. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/3 "2025-08-12T17:41:48Z")
I duck-ducked and googled, dual side mirrors simply means sideview mirrors on both sides of a vehicle. I was thinking more that it meant multiple element side mirrors on each side, some convex, some flat, like what you see on the sides of a semi cab or school bus. No. Just a mirror on both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/4 "2025-08-12T17:44:16Z")
Thank you, Chris. It is better to have others understand something than just me to. At least I feel assured now what they meant by dual mirrors. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/5 "2025-08-12T18:57:46Z")
Apparently there are a number of people who don’t remember that cars once only had one side view mirror, the one on the driver’s side. The rear-view mirror inside the car was all that there was to see what was behind you and to the right rear of you. Boy I’m feeling old. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/6 "2025-08-12T19:07:39Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Apparently there are a number of people who don’t remember that cars once only had one side view mirror Now you’re making me feel old, some used to come with none: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/5/75d4d741273c3e8d180d482aab80173e3fc4146d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/7 "2025-08-12T19:33:20Z")
I just replaced my right side mirror for the fourth time. I’ve been very careful about hitting the garag3 door opening when the wife parks too close to me. Even keep a new mirror in stock for the inevitable. Hit the snow blower handle this time and cracked the mirror. Ok now here’s the lesson. I decided to just order the glass instead of replacing th3 whole thing. The glass didn’t fit. Came to realize the mirror was after market and the original was about a 16th inch off. So replaced the whole thing. Actually the whole mirror is only $40, and the glass with shipping $38. Lesson learned. Don’t order the glass unless you have the original mirror. Now needed a Torx 30 for the door panel. Had only up to 25. So got the bit at Ace but wanted the screwdriver too. Wasn’t on the rack. Another trip to Ace a few days later and looked at the clearance table and there was the T30 screwdriver. So now I’m all set for the inevitable. Just have to order a new mirror for stock. Note TYC brand is an exact look and fit from original, except for a slight difference in the glass dimension. Hope it saves someone a $38 mistake. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/8 "2025-08-12T20:09:08Z")
Even my parent’s luxury barge 1964 Cadillac Series 62 hardtop had just the driver side mirror. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/9 "2025-08-12T20:53:39Z")
I’m even older. I can recall cars with no side mirrors. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/10 "2025-08-12T21:14:50Z")
Our chevies 61 and older just had one mirror on drivers side. Our 61 merc had two but they were mounted on the fenders. So adjust, get behind the wheel, get out and adjust again, rinse and repeat, and don’t let the guy at the gas station wipe them. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/11 "2025-08-12T22:24:28Z")
Why were we so behind Europe and Asia in adopting side view mirrors in the first place, drivers only or both driver/passenger side? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/12 "2025-08-12T22:25:21Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Our 61 merc had two but they were mounted on the fenders. That’s the correct location for such mirrors, not where you have to crack your neck to look in them…! ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/13 "2025-08-12T22:53:49Z")
Someone please help me understand this. The DMV said the tint cannot block no more than 30% of sunlight. Then it says a tint needs to be more than 70% to be legal. I don’t quite understand. Are they saying 70% tint is illegal ? And that I need more than 70% to be legal ? I don’t know if any shop that does tinted windows above 70%. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/14 "2025-08-12T22:58:13Z")
Sounds like you need some help interpreting the rules. The maximum tint allowed is “30 percent” tint, that is, it blocks only up to 30 percent of sunlight coming in the windows. That would mean 70 percent of sunlight, slightly more than two thirds, can still enter your passenger space. I think my state (CT) allows up to a much stricter level: 5 or 10 percent if I recall. It varies state to state. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/15 "2025-08-12T23:09:44Z")
So, in other words, 70% tint, which blocks 30% of sunlight, is legal? I’m thinking to re-tint the windows with 70% tint I don’t know why though DMV says more than 70% tint is required to be legal. wow. This hurts my already clueless head. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/16 "2025-08-12T23:15:15Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > That’s the correct location for such mirrors, not where you have to crack your neck to look in them…! Have you ever driven one of those cars? With the mirrors so far away the field of view is so small they are virtually useless. I prefer my mirrors on the doors. Actually what I would prefer is doing away with side mirrors altogether and replacing them with cameras. Much less aerodynamic drag and noise, more space between cars in garages and parking lots. It would be quite easy to place a display inside the car to show the image normally seen on a mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/17 "2025-08-12T23:16:09Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > I don’t know why though DMV says more than 70% tint is required to be legal. 71% tint will block 29% of the light, still legal. 75% and 80% window tint is acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/18 "2025-08-12T23:27:10Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Actually what I would prefer is doing away with side mirrors altogether and replacing them with cameras Mirrors are always ‘on’. Cameras serving the purpose of side-view mirrors would scare the heck out of me. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/19 "2025-08-12T23:37:05Z")
More info on tint %: [Window Tint Percentages – Examples & What You Need to Know](https://www.raynofilm.com/blog/window-tint-percentages) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441/20 "2025-08-12T23:47:34Z")
So I had it backwards, as I have had most things in life! The listed percentage of a tint suggests how much daylight it allows through. texases, others: I had arguably on of the most effed-up childhoods (0-10 years old) probably of anyone on here, having suffered chemical exposures and emotional abuse that no youngster (two-legged or four-legged) deserves. We can discuss more in depth via message system, or in an off-topic non-car related section, if CarTalk provides such. I promise you, my story will turn hairs white on here! [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-dual-side-mirror/201441.md?page=2)