The laws governing shattered windshields differ from state to state. California has strong traffic laws that forbid drivers from operating vehicles with cracked windshields since doing so can be dangerous for drivers and other road users. Continue reading to get more information.

Is driving with a cracked windshield legal in California?

It is against the law to operate any motor vehicle on a highway while the windshield or rear window is in such a faulty state as to impair the driver’s visibility to the front or rear, according to California’s Vehicle Code, Section 26710 (On Defective Windshields and Back Windows).

Does this apply to all types of vehicles?

Both public and private vehicles (such as buses and cars used for public transportation) must abide by the law. This applies to all tractors, delivery trucks, and fire trucks. The likelihood that a vehicle is covered by this law depends on whether it has a windshield.

The sole exceptions are cars that did not have to have a windshield when they were sold or registered; however, this group of vehicles is not very common.

How Do I Know When to Get My Windshield Repaired or Replaced?

Some little cracks in the windshield can be repaired, but the majority need to be replaced. The following are the general rules:

• Windshield repair ought to be able to fix the glass if the break is less than 3 inches long or if there is a chip no bigger than a quarter. But policies might differ between insurance providers, so be sure to review the specifics of your plan before sending it in for service.
• You should probably replace the windshield if there is a crack right in front of the driver’s field of vision or if the crack is longer than 3″. Depending on the model and brand of the automobile, this could cost up to a few hundred dollars, although insurance might pay for it.

What Does the Windshield Law Mean for You as a Driver?

You’ll probably get a penalty if your windshield is cracked and you’re caught driving. Suppose your windshield is found to be out of compliance during an inspection. In that case, you have 48 hours to make the necessary repairs (if you are caught operating the vehicle after that period with the windshield still cracked, you can be arrested and given a court date).

Windshield requirements

In California, windshields must meet the following specifications:

• Except for motorcycles, every vehicle must have a windscreen. This does not apply to vintage or antique cars that came without windshields as standard equipment from the manufacturer.
• For automobiles created after January 1, 1936, the windshield and all other windows must be made of safety glazing material designed to stop flying glass or shattering in the case of impact.
• Any glass other than safety glazing material cannot be used to replace the windshield or any other glass in a vehicle.
• All cars, with the exception of motorbikes, must have windshield wipers that can effectively clear away moisture such as rain, snow, and ice.

What Are the Safety Concerns of a Cracked Windshield?

It implies that if your car’s windshield is damaged—for example, if a bird or object flies into it or cracks during a collision—you can’t lawfully continue to drive the car if it prevents you from seeing the road or your surroundings clearly. Even if your windshield only has a little crack, you should have it fixed right away to avoid any legal ramifications because most cracked windshields hinder the driver’s visibility.

How Much is a Cracked Windshield Ticket in California?

The replacement may cost more than the original ticket. Typically speaking, depending on the severity of the damage, the fine for operating a vehicle with a damaged or cracked windshield can range from $50 to $120. Nevertheless, court fees are not included in this and could increase each ticket’s cost by $70 to $90.

Call Ticket Snipers

We are California’s #1 traffic ticket experts. Featured on major network news throughout the State, we’ve dismissed over 15,000 violations over a 10-year period. At Ticket Snipers, we are traffic ticket experts concentrating strictly on traffic tickets issued in California with precise methods to obtain a dismissal.

Please contact us at Ticket Snipers if you have any questions about the windshield law in California and how to defend yourself against any type of traffic ticket. We are available 24/7 if you’d like to chat with one of our trained consultants about defense against traffic infractions.