What is ORVM in Car and How Does it Work?

Summary/ TL;DR:

ORVM in cars stands for Outside Rearview Mirrors. They are a mandatory safety component placed on the exterior of the vehicle to reduce blind spots. ORVMs help the driver monitor the traffic to the sides and the rear without affecting the drive. They are available in various types, including mechanical and electric, and are different from IRVM.

Introduction:

When driving, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. While your eyes stay on the road in front, ORVMs in your car help extend your visibility by covering the blind spots. It is a simple component of your car that has major importance in terms of safety. ORVMs are available in various types, including manual and automatic, with several key features.

In this article, we provide a detailed overview of how the ORVM in car works, how it benefits the driver and how it is different from an IRVM.

What is an ORVM in Cars?

ORVM stands for Outside Rearview Mirrors. They are a pair of rearview mirrors fixed on the exterior of the car, which reflect the image of the traffic on the side and rear of the car.

The ORVM in cars is usually fixed on the exterior side of the A-pillar, which is a structural part between the front side windows and the windshield. One is found on the driver’s side, and the other is found on the front passenger’s side. They are also called side mirrors, and they help the driver see their surroundings better.

Consistent use of ORVMs helps reduce accidents, a habit that every car insurance company values a lot.

How Do Car ORVMs Work?

ORVMs in cars typically use a convex mirror, offering a wide visual perspective to the driver by reflecting the image of the side and the rear. It uses the basic principle of reflection to cover the driver’s blind spots and consists of a few components.

Besides the mirror glass, which is usually a convex one for a wide field of view, other components of the ORVM include the protective housing and the adjustment system. Its vertical and horizontal tilt can be manually adjusted by hand or via a mechanical lever or electronic switch.

This allows the driver to set the ideal view of the side and rear as per their preference. Modern ORVMs come with other key features, like integrated turn signals, heated frost clearing, sensors and auto-dimming.

For example, imagine you are driving on the highway and intend to switch lanes. Before you can do it, you need to make sure that the move is safe. While you can see ahead clearly, the view to the side and rear is not naturally visible. So, you use the ORVM and get the necessary information about your surroundings without needing to turn your head around.

What are the Different Types of ORVMs in Cars?

In a general sense, the ORVM in car can be categorised into four types based on their mechanism. This includes manual ORVMs, electric ORVMs, internally adjustable ORVMs and auto-folding ORVMs.

The manual ORVMs are found in older cars and in some base models. They don’t include any mechanical or electrical components, and need to be adjusted manually by pushing and pulling by hand. Internally adjustable ORVMs include basic mechanical parts/cables and can be adjusted from within the cabin by using a small joystick or lever.

Electric ORVMs incorporate electric motors to adjust the angle from within the cabin via a button/joystick. Auto-folding ORVMs are a type of electric ORVM where the entire mirror assembly can fold and unfold by a push of a button or automatically via sensors.

In the case of an old car, such as the early versions of the Ambassador Classic 1500 DSL, the company offered manually adjustable ORVMs. But if you check modern cars, such as a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire (2024-25), you will see that it is equipped with electric ORVMs. Compared to manual ORVMs, advanced ORVMs are costly to repair. So, it is wise to take this into consideration when buying car insurance online.

What is the Difference between an ORVM and an IRVM?

ORVMs are outside rearview mirrors, offering a convex view of the side lanes and the rear of the car. IRVM is the inside rearview mirror, showing an accurate view of what's directly behind the car.

ORVMs are available in pairs, each mounted outside on the A-pillar of the driver’s side door and the front passenger’s side door. They use a convex mirror to show a wide view of the left and right side lanes and the rear. IRVM is placed inside the vehicle, at the top of the windshield. It offers a clear and accurate view of the traffic directly behind the vehicle.

For example, suppose you are parking your car in the garage, and your parking spot has a wall behind and two vertical pillars to the side. When reversing into the parking spot, you will refer to the IRVM to ensure you don’t hit the wall behind, while simultaneously checking the ORVM to ensure there’s enough space between the pillar and the side of the car.

What Happens If I Drive My Car Without ORVMs?

ORVMs help the driver by minimising blind spots and keeping them aware of their surroundings. If your car’s ORVMs are damaged or missing, or you are driving while keeping them folded inward, you are compromising the safety of yourself and others on the road.

Just like car insurance, the law makes ORVMs mandatory in India. Driving without functional rearview mirrors is a punishable offence as it goes against the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act. In Delhi, fines for a rearview mirror turned inwards are INR 500 for the first violation and INR 1,500 for subsequent violations.

In Case Of ORVM Damage, Can I Claim It Under Car Insurance?

If your car’s ORVMs get damaged due to an insurable peril, you can make an own damage claim for them to the car insurance company. However, you must take depreciation under the standard policy into account. While at it, also check out what 5 questions you should ask before buying car insurance.

The depreciation rate for nylon and plastic parts in car insurance is 50%. Insurance providers, such as Generali Central, clearly outline these specifics in their policy wordings, which you can check from the official website.

Expert Note

This information is based on standard motor insurance guidelines issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and commonly followed industry practices. Policy coverage and conditions may vary by insurer.