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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.
Alex and Dan did an amazing job on our van windscreen and they came the very next morning! Fast, efficient and our van looks like a younger model! Haha! Highly recommend! Happy we know this company to...
- 2 weeks ago
When no one else could help, 1st call came after a phone call to agree a time. Removed the rear screen from my wife's 97 Micra, and fitted a new seal to replace the one that was falling out. Th...
- 2 weeks ago
As a local garage, its great to find someone who can work with us for a quick turn around. Staff are great and we are kept up to date with ETAs. Highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will certaint...
- 3 weeks ago
My sincere thanks to Kieran Lamb and colleagues from the Sittingbourne branch who fitted a new windscreen to my Audi 3.0 Cab at my home address when I was out at work. Outstanding service guys and w...
- 3 weeks ago
Come to my address the very next morning very good price and great customer service would highly recommend...
- 4 weeks ago
Excellent service from the person taking the calls (Grant) to the operative carrying out the works (Jack). Thank you for a quick turnaround...
- 1 month ago
Very impressed with Alex and Dan who repaired my cracked windscreen.Done an amazing job very friendly and professional and have recommended to a friend....
- 1 month ago
I contacted 1st call windscreens today and I am so impressed with the service I received. I’m a nurse and need my car for community work, and 1st call was the first quote I received, (out of man...
- 1 month ago
Thank you Jake & Dan, nice clean quick fix to my windscreen....
- 1 month ago
Excellent service, many thanks to Grant & Jack and all at 1st Call Windscreens they charged £400.00 + VAT to replace the windscreen on my BMW 5 Series including camera calibration. Auto Wind...
- 2 months ago
Super service from 1st call windscreen, they were quick to come out and fix my windscreen. Helpful friendly service, thanks to Byron and Dan and those on the phone....
- 4 months ago
5 star plus Excellent service from start to finish Grant was exceptionally helpful after our Insurance Co who deal with Autoglass cancelled both our scheduled appointments as they could not get a sc...
- 4 months ago
Quick response time. Professional and friendly....
- 4 months ago
Great service - the work was carried out very quickly from the initial call. Would recommend without hesitation. Thanks again...
- 5 months ago
Brilliant response and service. Friendly professional staff...
- 5 months ago
Fiat Ducato. Arrived on time & job was completed in good time with no fuss. 1st class service....
- 5 months ago
lowest price well organized and good delivery....
- 5 months ago
Always on time, reliable and good price, service with a smile! What more could you want?...
- 5 months ago
I called 1st Call Windscreens after recommendation from the main Vauxhall dealer when my new car’s windscreen needed replacing. Obviously with the car only being a month old, it was really impor...
- 7 months ago
Brilliant service. Jake did a great job and was really efficient. Very friendly too! Would highly recommend....
- 7 months ago
First class service! Prompt, professional and highly recommended!...
- 7 months ago
Watch 1st Call Windscreens video, featuring our experts in windscreen repair & replacement in Sittingbourne, Maidstone & Gillingham in Kent.
You can come to us or we can come to you, with a 24-hour repair service to help you any time of day or night. We repair and replace windscreens from single vehicles to whole fleets.
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