Due to my incompetence, AIBU

[perfumeperuser]

We are being affected by ULEZ. We have a non compliant van and a compliant car.

We need to swap vehicles, but the van is boarded so that there is no middle mirror only side mirrors.

I get heart palpitations just thinking about driving a vehicle with no mirror in the middle.

This means that we will have huge costs probably to buy a compliant car. We are already having a huge cost to change insurance over.

AIBU should I suck it up and learn to cope without the mirror, you're costing the family perhaps a great expense.

OR AINBU to value the safety of myself and all other Road users.

Any tips on buying a car in a ULEZ climate would also be greatly appreciated!

Oh and there is no back window!

The no mirror or back window thing is fine. You get used to using just side mirrors. They're the important ones, and when you go back to driving a car you'll realise that you don't actually need the rear mirror so much.

I only hated driving our van because it was so huge compared to my tiny car!

You can see who's behind you in the side mirrors. What's most important is who's in front of you and who's to either side. You'll be fine!!

Yes but the side mirrors always need the angles changing don't they, to see different things!
I know I'm a big wuss!

Get driving - there is no need for a window to be safe it’s just different. Get a lesson with an instructor so you understand the best approach

I mean how in the hell do you reverse 🤣?

By the way - I HATE YOU ULEZ!

Why would you need to move the side mirrors? You just need to get on with it. I drive a transit for work. It's easy peasy.

Carefully!

Book yourself some van driving lessons maybe?

You'll be fine without the rearview mirror! I drive a truck and only have side mirrors and it's never been a problem. In fact I don't tend to use the middle mirror in a smaller vehicle now.

If you're really worried, you could install a reversing camera? Would be cheaper than a new vehicle.

Good idea. Could I keep it running and use it as my back window?!

If the van is non compliant anyway, just sell it and buy a non compliant car - cheaper than a compliant one

Honestly you're bigging it up in your head. It's piss easy to drive a van, you really don't need a rear mirror.

Why not get the back panelling replaced with a window so you can have a mirror?

Or by something compliant with the grant.

Take up cycling!
Why do you need to drive a van anyway? Unless you're carrying lots of cargo, replace it with something smaller and less polluting (the entire point of introducing ULE zones - to protect people's health)
If you really must continue with the van, fit a rear-facing camera and you'll always be able to see directly behind it.

I never thought of that! I suppose as long as they didn't roll it out everywhere this could get me a bargain!

Thanks

Whoops fail!

Ok I'm back!

Retro fit reversing sensors or a camera.

Just get in the van take it to a quiet car park and get practising reversing into spaces. It shouldn't take you long to get the hang of it and you could always open the drivers door a little and look backwards out of that. You are being a wuss

I'm sorry, but I can't cycle for many reasons. The van is a car size and has had its uses. I would love to get rid, I'm just worried about the costs.

Sell the van. Buy a hugely economical but non compliant diesel Citroen C3. The price of non-compliant cars has fallen through the floor in areas near and in the expansion zone.
Worry about further expansions when/if the time comes.

@CrotchetyQuaver I know I am lol!

@Todaywego I'm think this is the best option. Really good ideas here.

Where would be the best places to get a bargain?