Laws & Regulations FAQs
With increasingly busy lifestyles, many overlook the importance of having a windscreen chip or crack fixed. Although it is clearly very dangerous, is driving with a chipped windscreen breaking the law?
Driving a motor vehicle in what is considered a dangerous condition e.g. with a chipped or cracked windscreen is an offence under section 40 of the Road Traffic Act. As such, if you were caught driving in this condition, you could receive 3 penalty points on your driving licence and a fine. If the case is taken to court, you may find yourself receiving a larger fine or even disqualification if you have previous convictions.
Finally, a windscreen with a chip or crack could cause your vehicle to fail its MOT, so it’s important to have the problem fixed before it escalates. Take a look at our guide to find out whether your windscreen needs to be repaired or replaced.
Yes. When it comes to windscreen repairs and maintenance, HGV vehicles, such as trucks and lorries, need their own specialist care. The large size of HGV windscreens means that there are different zones in which cracks and chips can fall into. ‘Zone B’ covers the majority of a vehicle’s windscreen which does not fall into the driver’s line of vision. If chips and cracks fall within this zone, a repair is more likely to be needed than a full windscreen replacement as it is considered less of a safety risk.
However, if the damage is obscuring the driver’s view then it falls into ‘zone A’, meaning that a replacement is required. Whilst this is similar to cars, for HGVs cracks of up to 150mm/15cm in length can be repaired, as opposed to cars where the crack must be smaller than £2 coin.
For larger fleet vehicles – such as buses, coaches and agricultural vehicles – certain marks or blemishes would not even require repairs, let alone replacement. For example, a number of light scratches spread over a large area of the windscreen will not need immediate attention. However, a collection of heavy scratches may be caused by a problem with the windscreen wipers which may require separate attention.
When it comes to repairing or replacing a windscreen, it’s important that the job meets the safety and quality standards in line with UK MOT rules for windscreens. Windscreen repairs need to meet British standard BS AU242a:1998 to ensure they are tested to the same standards as original windscreens when it comes to strength, performance and weather resistance.
Replacement glass must be fitted to an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) standard to ensure the replacement windscreen is fitted to the exact same guidelines and safety standards as the day it was made.
Even the smallest windscreen chip in the driver’s line of vision could cause a vehicle to fail its MOT test. Although the placement of stickers and GPS devices on the front windscreen is not illegal, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that: “all glass fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on the road.
The Highway Code also states that “windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”. Whilst this is not official legislation and will not immediately result in a prosecution, The Highway Code can be used as evidence in a court case under the Road Traffic Act.
Similarly, whilst it isn’t illegal to obscure the rear windscreen – either due to a sticker or a large load – the driver may be prosecuted if the vehicle does not meet regulation 33 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. It states that at least one fully functional mirror should be fitted on the exterior of the vehicle if the view through the rear window is obscured.
Fantastic service, booked for a site visit to alleviate any disruption to the engineers day and it all went seamlessly. I would definitely recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will use them in the futu...
- 1 day ago
Customer service were great responded to my call out vey quickly and the guy that came out was very nice and helpful Thank you...
- 2 weeks ago
Had my chip fixed at my home this afternoon - cannot praise the service enough!!!! Lovely man who took 10-15 minutes - perfect job and no issues - very good price and highly recommend them Jo Seveno...
- 2 months ago
Very helpful and carried out a repair at very short notice on our way to catch a ferry. Very polite and stabilised the chip in our windscreen so that we could continue abroad for our holiday uninterru...
- 2 months ago
Made a call to 1st call windscreens as I was worried about a chip in my screen. The guys were very helpful, turned up on time and carried out a fantastic repair and was cheaperthan my insurance acce...
- 3 months ago
We had an emergency windscreen repair needed when travelling down from Oxfordshire to Kent. The Sittingbourne team went out of their way to help us at very short notice and allowing us to resume our j...
- 3 months ago
Jake was friendly, polite and helpful. He left no mess inside or outside the car and took away the boxes the seals came in even though they were supplied direct by the BMW dealer....
- 3 months ago
Arrived on time at my home address. Was very professional, polite and efficient. No hassle and no mess. Screen was replaced on my mini in no time at all and looks perfect. Thank you will highly recom...
- 3 months ago
So happy with Byron and Jake today very friendly and professional from 1st Call Windscreens Ltd. They come extremely well prepared with attention to detail. A great job was done on replacing my wind...
- 3 months ago
1st Call windscreens are absolutely 1st class. Spoke with David on the phone and he was so helpful and knowledgeable. Took our car up to them to advise on the correct windscreens which embarrassingl...
- 3 months ago
George west from 1st call windscreens Ltd was quite friendly and managed to do a fantastic job on my stone CHIP WINDSCREEN....
- 4 months ago
Excellent all round service and a very quick response so we highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens every time....
- 4 months ago
Great service from Kieran. Easy to arrange. Convenience of a home visit and great professional job. So happy....
- 4 months ago
My location was tricky but Tom ws able to find me, they had offer to come to my location which I appreciate. He was amazing as he skillfully replaced my windscreen, I am impressed and pleased. I was a...
- 4 months ago
Very helpful and booked my van in really quickly on a convenient day for me. The fella explained everything that he needed to do and did a thorough job, he also gave me my options rather than just goi...
- 4 months ago
Very happy with the service. Made a call this morning and got helpful advice and a visit this afternoon to repair the windscreen. Couldn't have been easier and a good price....
- 5 months ago
I needed to reseal my Volvo v60 windscreen. It's been done withing one hour-no issues at all. Friendly and supportive team, brilliant customer service!! Highly recommend!! Thank you!!...
- 5 months ago
they fitted the job in last minute to help me out, service was great very friendly service would 100% recomend them...
- 5 months ago
Very helpful from first phone call for a quote to completing the job. Booked the job in between morning and afternoon school runs. Turned up exactly when they said they would. What more can you ask. G...
- 6 months ago
Really fabulous service, friendly, efficient and fast fitting too. I emailed and got a quote for my imported vehicle and these guys were very easy going, said just book in when you’re ready and we wi...
- 6 months ago
Fantastic company, I asked for a quote for new windscreen and got one within minutes and I was very happy with the quote so booked it straight away . Came bang on time and very friendly and done a gre...
- 7 months ago
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