Not every chip or crack requires immediate legal action. The severity and location of the damage determine legality.
A 290mm wide section centered on the steering wheel (the driver's line of vision). (roughly the size of a cigarette filter). Rest of Screen The remaining area swept by the windscreen wipers. 40mm .
If your car has a valid MOT but you subsequently crack the windscreen, you are still liable under the "Construction and Use" regulations. An MOT certificate does not override the requirement to keep the car in a roadworthy condition at all times. is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen uk
If a crack is in Zone A but is only 10mm long (the size of a fingernail), it passes. The moment it hits 40mm, it is illegal to drive on a public road. However, if that same 10mm crack is directly in front of your face, causing a prism effect (splitting light into rainbows) that distorts the view of a traffic light? A traffic officer can still fine you under Construction and Use, even if it passes the MOT length test.
Any damage exceeding these limits in their respective zones will result in an . Safety Risks Beyond the Law MOT Windscreens - Rules and Regulations | Autoglass® UK Not every chip or crack requires immediate legal action
If you are stopped by the police and the damage is considered significant, you may face:
Aside from the legal risks, leaving a crack unattended is dangerous and costly. (roughly the size of a cigarette filter)
However, the regulations do not provide a clear definition of what constitutes an "excessive" or "dangerous" crack. Instead, they rely on the judgment of police officers and vehicle inspectors to determine whether a crack is severe enough to warrant a penalty.