Abstract: A mirror parking mechanism for a vehicle exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. It comprises a mirror mounting bracket (14), a mirror head (11) that is pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket (14) so that the mirror head (11) can rotate from a deployed position where the outermost portion of the mirror head (11) is positioned closer to the vehicle. A detent (22, 23) acts between the mirror mounting bracket (14) and the mirror head (11) that changes from a locked position where the mirror head (11) is held with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14) to a disengaged position where the mirror head (11) is able to rotate with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14). A spring (25) acts against the detent (22, 23) to hold it in a locket position a gear wheel (35) is secured with respect to the mirror head (11), and a worm drive (30) having a shaft (29) is journaled in bearings in the mirror mounting bracket (14).