DRIVING with a small crack on the windscreen may seem harmless enough, but it could end up costing you a fortune.
Here’s everything you need to know about the laws surrounding driving with a cracked windscreen.
Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen?
According to UK law, driving with a cracked windscreen can be illegal in certain circumstances.
Section 40(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that a motor vehicle is considered to be in an unsafe condition if it “involves a danger of injury to any person”.
This means that a cracked windscreen, if deemed hazardous, can lead to legal consequences.
By law drivers need to have a clear view of the road, so the likelihood of the crack being deemed dangerous depends on its size and location on the windscreen.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) defines a specific zone on the windscreen, known as Zone A, which is crucial for driver visibility.
This zone is 290mm wide and centred on the steering wheel — directly in the driver’s line of vision.
Even a 10mm-sized damage within this zone can result in an MOT failure.
And any blockages of that view can result in a fine, or worse.
The fixed penalty for driving with a cracked windscreen is three points on your driving licence and a fine of up to £2,500.
If caught by the police while driving with a cracked windscreen, they may also give you a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice.
The notice requires you to fix the cracked windscreen within fourteen days and the police will require proof that it has been fixed.
There is also the risk of getting charged with a driving offence if you are found to be responsible for an accident while behind the wheel with a damaged windscreen.
If it’s a serious accident, you could be taken to court and possibly even banned from driving.
How much does it cost to replace a windscreen?
The cost of repairing a windscreen varies on the vehicle and the extent of the damage, costing anywhere between £40 and £118 — these repairs are often covered by car insurance.
Replacing the entire windscreen can cost around £100 or more depending the car type.
Luxury vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, or Porsche can cost around £400 to £500 if the whole windscreen needs to be replaced.
Katie Lomas, the head of Green Flag Breakdown, said: “To avoid chips and cracks, it’s important to drive carefully and leave a greater distance between the vehicle in front of you on rough and busy roads where there may be loose debris.”
How quickly do I need to get a cracked windscreen fixed?
It is important to get damage to your windscreen looked at right away as delaying taking your vehicle in for repair will only mean spending an exponentially higher price.
If the crack or chip gets bigger, chances are the price will too.
However, you can fix the windscreen without paying an expert to look at it if the crack is small.
It is possible to repair the windscreen with a chip repair kit, costing around £7 to £15 on Amazon UK.
