I was taking my doors off for the first time and I realized that I might need a mirror. Is this law really enforced in California?

 

Yes.

26709. (a) Every motor vehicle registered in a foreign jurisdiction and every motorcycle subject to registration in this state shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.

Every motor vehicle subject to registration in this state, except a motorcycle, shall be equipped with not less than two such mirrors, including one affixed to the left-hand side.

(b) The following described types of motor vehicles, of a type subject to registration, shall be equipped with mirrors on both the left-and right-hand sides of the vehicle so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle:

(1) A motor vehicle so constructed or loaded as to obstruct the driver's view to the rear.

(2) A motor vehicle towing a vehicle and the towed vehicle or load thereon obstructs the driver's view to the rear.

(3) A bus or trolley coach.

(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not apply to a passenger vehicle when the load obstructing the driver's view consists of passengers.

 

crap I guess I gotta buy some cheap-o ones. Hopefully ebay with have something cheap

 

i bought a cheapo mirror at an auto parts which was intended for a motorcycle, a hacksaw and bolt and I was legal and for less than $20.

 

I've been using bicycle mirror I bought at CVS for $8. I've gone thru two in three years. Use them on tube doors as well. Can see well enough to be usable.

 

Pop off your stock mirrors and guerilla glue them to the A pillars. Cost less then $5.

 

You've never removed JK mirrors, have you?

This advice will not work.

 

I wouldn't stress about it to much if you are only doing it for a day or so , the only way you would get pulled over for it if they really wanted to be a dick and then it's only a fix it ticket

Now with that said I hate driving without mirrors , it doesn't seam like a big deal until the mirrors are gone

 

It is important to check all states for mirror laws.. but typical and just to be on the safe side I would relocate your current set with a Rugged Ridge mirror relocation bracket..

or the motorcycle style mirror.. but in all cases and in some states.. even if we remove our doors and install side mirrors just to be on the safe side, these states would still give you ticket, claiming that this is not factory installed products.

Case in point, I spoke with the UTZ potato chip driver from Hanover, PA and he also is a Jeep Wrangler owner.. He informs me that in one PA county, police are pulling over jeepers that do not have doors and issuing citations..

In our case, driving to Colorado and back, (doorless 89% of the time) passing several state troopers, city police and sheriff's.. none of them gave us a second look.. Being pulled over thinking that because you do not have doors or the correct mirror is not the case, and is more of a driving erratically or simply having your leg hanging out the door etc.. I mean drive unsafely, one would tend to notice this and have a citation issued.

But I wanted to point out here, that not all of these mirror relocation brackets or setups are actually usable.. In our case.. the Rugged Ridge Bracket (passenger side) even with the doors off.. is useless.. It may be advised that one make alterations to these brackets or mirror system to incorp fisheye mirror just to add a bit more viewing capabilities.. I like the idea of the round fisheye on the left and right heat vent opens and may do this myself.

Footnote: In addition, I wanted to say something about alternate mirrors in the Rugged Ridge Brackets.. I spoke with Quadrstec about their replacement mirrors which take on the TJ styling.. With how the JK mirrors are (wider) the Quadratec Mirrors are taller which could offer a better viewing area as compared to the JK versions.. and again we may opt for the taller TJ style mirrors in the future.

 

I was looking into the relocation kits too. But it seemed like a lot of work every time you want to go doors off. I bought a Rugged Ridge mirror that came with a mount. The mount stays on the Jeep all the time, and you just screw in the mirror arm when you take your doors off. I got mine for $20. I think that's the best way to go.