With almost 60 years in the automotive business as an ASE Master Technician, vocational educator and vehicle owner, I can remember when passenger side-view mirrors didn’t come as standard equipment. As federal vehicle safety regulations evolved, standards were enacted to help improve overall driver visibility. In the 1970s, larger convex mirrors were introduced. While convex mirrors deliver a wider field of view, they somewhat distort the perception of distance. That’s why the warning, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear,” was added to the mirrors.

Now, for even greater driver, passenger and pedestrian safety, you can add blind spot mirrors to your side view mirrors. Ahead, a certified driver’s education instructor will help explain the importance of blind spot mirrors when driving in traffic or parking your vehicle.

While at it, also learn how to replace a car mirror.

What Are Blind Spot Mirrors?

A blind spot mirror is usually a small convex mirror that is either a component of the side view mirror, or most likely, attached by adhesive to either outside side view mirror. Blind spot mirrors greatly increase a driver’s field of view and help drivers see areas around their cars that are normally not visible in their rearview and/or side view mirrors. Enhancing visibility by covering areas that standard mirrors can’t show greatly increases driving safety.

How Blind Spot Mirrors Improve Driving Safety

“By cutting down blind spots, blind spot mirrors help prevent accidents,” said certified driving instructor Steve Norman. A blind spot mirror’s convex mirror greatly expands visibility by covering areas that fall outside the limited range of flat mirrors. This delivers a much broader, panoramic view from around the vehicle that gives a driver a thorough view of adjacent lanes, parking lines, or other obstacles when backing up.

This greater visibility allows drivers to better monitor the traffic around them and make safer lane changes or merge into fast-moving traffic by seeing vehicles that could fall outside a flat mirror’s narrow scope. Norman added, “Many modern vehicles add blind spot mirrors to satisfy safety regulations and meet drivers’ needs for enhanced monitoring of surrounding traffic.”

Types of Blind Spot Mirrors

While all blind spot mirrors are convex in design, each has pros and cons depending on your vehicle and specific needs or preferences.

Stick-On Mirrors

Stick-on mirrors are the most common. They come in myriad shapes and sizes, are affordable, widely available and easy to install on your existing side view mirrors using adhesive backing.

Clip-On Mirrors

Rear-view mirror on a carFHM/GETTY IMAGES

Clip-on mirrors securely attach to the edge of your side view mirrors with clips and are less likely to fall off compared to stick-on mirrors.

Rearview Blind Spot Mirrors

Rearview blind spot mirrors are installed over or onto the windshield inside the rearview mirror and offer you a unique angle of the road. Although due to their size, they can be slightly distracting when driving, the wide-angle view eliminates blind spots and provides a clear view of your child in the back seat.

Window-Mounted Mirrors

Window-mounted mirrors are attached to the exterior glass, either with suction cups or specialty hardware. While they don’t attach to the side view mirrors, they provide a much broader view of the area surrounding your vehicle, especially when trailering large or long cargo.

Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors

Due to their size, many larger SUVs and trucks come from the factory with integrated blind spot mirrors built into the side view mirrors to enhance driver safety and reduce blind spots.

Note: “Check with your local DMV before installing clip-on or window mounter blind spot mirrors. It’s against the law in many states to have any object or material hanging from mirrors when driving,” said Norman.

How to Properly Adjust Your Blind Spot Mirror

According to Norman, “all mirrors, not just blind spot mirrors, have to be properly positioned and will need to be adjusted differently for each driver.” To help eliminate blind spots, Norman suggests you adjust mirrors after adjusting your seat. Attaching blind spot mirrors to the outer edge of your side view mirrors offers the best blind spot coverage. Then:

  • Adjust the side view mirrors to maintain a clear view of the road behind and to the sides of your vehicle to minimize blind spots.
  • Adjust the blind spot mirrors so that they show areas that are not visible in the field of view of your regular side view mirror.
  • To ensure a full field of vision, “have someone walk around your vehicle to make sure you can see them in the mirrors,” said Norman. Adjust the mirrors to maintain seamless visibility all around your vehicle.
  • Blind spot mirrors offer excellent visibility in areas that regular side view mirrors cannot, but at a cost. Because they’re convex in shape, images in blind spot mirrors are distorted. Although deliberate, Norman suggests, “[especially new] drivers should practice how blind spot mirrors enhance, but do not replace, [their regular side view] mirrors

Should You Add a Blind Spot Mirror to Your Car?

Yes, adding blind spot mirrors is generally a good idea for several reasons.

  • They’re helpful when towing objects or transporting items that obstruct your normal field of view.
  • Due to their physically larger size, SUVs, trucks, and vans (especially cargo vans without windows) have inherent greater blind spots, making blind spot mirrors particularly useful for these types of vehicles.
  • Blind spot mirrors are very useful for navigating busy highway traffic, making high-speed lane changes or using on/off ramps.
  • Older cars and trucks lacking modern blind spot monitoring systems can greatly benefit by adding low cost spot mirrors to increase a driver’s field of view.

FAQ

Do blind spot mirrors eliminate the need for shoulder checks?

No. While blind spot mirrors greatly increase visibility, they can’t totally replace physically looking over your shoulder. While blind spot mirrors enhance visibility, there may be areas not fully visible to the driver due to mirror or vehicle position, lighting, weather and other conditions.

Are blind spot mirrors required by law?

No. However, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 mandates that “currently…vehicles be equipped with rearview mirrors to provide drivers with a view of objects that are to their side or to their side and rear.” This is in response to manufacturers petitioning to install “Camera Monitor Systems” to replace inside and outside mirrors. Consequently, the European Union (EU) implemented a directive requiring “certain vehicles be fitted with mirrors to cover the blind spot at the front of the vehicle and on the passenger side of the vehicle.”

Are blind spot mirrors actually effective?

Yes. Data from a 2020 study published by the Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) showed that “usage of a circular convex mirror does increase the driver’s field of view.” An older European Union study showed that blind spot mirrors effectively reduce accidents, but only in instances of vehicles turning left or cases involving cyclists.

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About the Experts

Steve Norman, M.Ed., has taught driver’s education in both the public and private sectors for over 15 years. He is a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and PA Dept. of Transportation (Penn DOT) certified classroom, and behind the wheel driving instructor. As well as a PA driver’s license examiner. Steve is currently teaching physical education at Manavon Elementary School, Phoenixville Area School District.

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Bob Lacivita
Since rebuilding his first engine at age 14, cars have been Bob Lacivita's passion, as well as his way of life. He went on to become an award-winning ASE and General Motors auto technician, vocational educator, career and technical center administrator, technical consultant and freelance writer; teaching legions of students and readers about DIY ca...
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