driving mirror

[Itasan]

Is the 'rearview mirror' also called a 'driving mirror' or 'driver's mirror'?
If so, which is the most common?
Thank you.

[Amy_H]

Hi Itasan

First a question: Are you referring ONLY to the interior rearview mirror?

I personally (!) would never call that mirror either 'driving mirror' or 'driver's mirror'. Never.

As to the exterior rearview mirrors (if those are included in your question):
I have also heard them called 'sideview mirrors' as well as 'driver side mirror' and 'passenger side mirror'.

Hope that helps.

Amy

[Itasan]

Yes, that helps very much. Thank you.

[tigertiger]

First a question: Are you referring ONLY to the interior rearview mirror?

I personally (!) would never call that mirror either 'driving mirror' or 'driver's mirror'. Never.

As to the exterior rearview mirrors (if those are included in your question):
I have also heard them called 'sideview mirrors' as well as 'driver side mirror' and 'passenger side mirror'.

I would have to differ here, but can only offer a UK perspective.
However local usage will vary, especially with car culture.

The interior 'rear view' mirror would be reffered to as the driver's/driving mirror.
Possibly because a long time ago cars only had this mirror, then there was a passenger's mirror (i.e. not the driver's). Wing/door mirrors came later.

Technically all other mirrors (excluding vanity/passenger's) are driving mirrors. But these are usually refered to as wing mirrors (if on the wings), or door mirrors (if mounted on the outside of the door). Although the old 'Highway Code' used to encourage people to use wing mirrors for a better field of view, they were pretty bad for this (1.5 - 2m from the drivers eyes and only about 15cm long).

Door mirrors were a later arrival and have also been refered to as overtaking mirrors (especially if on the driver side).