It is illegal to drive with a smashed windscreen, or one with a major crack. If youre driving with a cracked windscreen and you have an accident, you could be charged with a more serious driving offence. Am i driving illegally if i have a cracked windscreen. How do i stop a crack in my windshield from spreading. Cracks occurring in windshields are sometimes not allowed, but they sometimes are. The guide to cracked windshield laws in all states yourmechanic. Yes, its illegal and, depending on where the crack is and how deep the crack is, the police can pick you up for having a windscreen thats defective. However, technically the placement of the chip in your windscreen affects whether your car is considered roadworthy if it passes its mot. State uniform traffic control for vehicle equipment laws, rules and regulations. Our mobile service can repair chips and cracks or replace an entire windscreen at your home or office in the perth metro area. Firstly, what is and isnt legal to drive with depends on the type of damage the windscreen has sustained. In nsw, the drivers side half of the windscreen can have no more than two of the following defects. But at what point does the damage to your windscreen render your care unsafe and illegal to drive. However, technically the placement of the chip in your windscreen affects whether your car is considered roadworthy if it passes its mot then.
Keep in mind that it is illegal to drive with a cracked or broken windshield, especially if the crack is anywhere near the drivers direct line of sight. If your windshield has cracked through more than one layer of glass, has hairline cracks up to 30mm long, cracks from the edge of the windscreen up to 75mm long, or bullseye cracks or chips up to 16mm in diameter, then your windscreen is unroadworthy. A windscreen is also an essential part of the vehicles structure. However, if it interferes with the drivers view out the windshield, its illegal to drive and youll need to repair or replace the windshield right away. Yes, it is illegal to drive with a cracked, smashed or damaged windscreen for several reasons. Another consideration here is where the crack is located. Drivers with windscreens with an area wiped by windscreen wipers to an extent that cant be driven safely, or laminate with a crack that penetrate. It is far cheaper to have a chip repaired than it is to replace a cracked windscreen. The area covered by the windscreen wipers is cracked, discoloured or damaged to the point that you cannot see well enough to. So, as early as now, have that damaged windshield replaced or repaired.
Driving with a cracked windshield is dangerous, period. California cracked windshield laws california car laws. However, cracks and chips are not the only windshield problems that drivers need to be concerned with. Therefore it is advisable to contact your insurance company in the first instance, as most have arrangements with windscreen repair companies. There are other issues which can cause your vehicle to be defected by the police, or fail a roadworthiness test. Its illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen if the crack affects a drivers ability to see the road, or makes the windscreen unsafe. If its on the passenger side and small, you should have no problem driving until you can have it repaired or replaced. Find out if it is a good idea to keep driving with that crack or chip, or if you should take it to an auto glass company. A cracked windscreen can impede a drivers vision, making it difficult to see approaching traffic and other road hazards. There are other windshield laws that govern what objects can be on the windshield. There are actually several reasons why it is illegal to drive with a cracked or smashed windscreen, starting with the crack potentially obscuring your vision. Under section 40 of the road traffic act, driving a motor vehicle with a crack or chip in the windscreen constitutes as driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition. Unless the crack is in corner and preferably on passengers side, its likely you will have to pay a fine and replace or repair your windshield or other cracked windows. Cracked windshield laws are some of the more important rules of the road, because they make sure that drivers have a clear and safe view from their vehicle.