Can I repair my car with sticky tape?
Is your side mirror hanging on by a thread? Are your headlights busted? There’s nothing a roll of duct tape can’t fix – temporarily, of course. Here are the rules when driving around with sticky taped mirrors and lights.
The scenario
You pull up next to a car with duct tape wrapped around the side mirror. “That’s bound to be defected,” you think to yourself. Your mind wanders to whether it’s Gorilla or Scotch tape… perhaps let’s stick (pun intended) to the topic.
While the type of tape you use is neither here nor there, surprisingly, in most cases, you won’t immediately be handed a defect notice if your mirrors or headlights are held together by tape.
The (Band-Aid) solution
It’s true that a vehicle can be deemed unroadworthy if the rear-view or side mirrors and lights are missing or damaged. If it’s the latter, stashing sticky tape in your glove box may come in handy.
According to RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain, you can legally drive with sticky taped mirrors and lights, provided the tape is a temporary repair.
“It’s important that the sticky taped mirrors or lights are securely attached and the tape doesn’t obscure the driver’s view of the road,” Charles says.
Drivers are required to have a clear view of what’s behind them and to the side of their vehicle. If a driver doesn’t have a clear view due to, in this instance, tape obstructing their vision of the road and traffic, they can be fined $228 and a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.
“In the case of cracked headlights, using tape temporarily is acceptable provided the unit is still functioning correctly and the alignment of the headlamp doesn’t dazzle oncoming drivers,” Charles says.
Final word
Regularly checking your vehicle’s lights and mirrors is important. If they’ve been damaged, consider sticky tape a Band-Aid solution until you can head to a reputable repairer (preferably sooner than later). Ensure the mirror or light is repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid a sticky (yes, we went there) situation.
Learn about other car problems that could put you at risk of receiving a defect notice.