Iowa Cracked Windshield Laws

Iowa cracked winshield usage is governed by the state's Code. All relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to cracked windshields and windows in Iowa are provided below. Make sure to examine the regulations carefully and repair your window cracks or replace cracked windows.

Obstructed windshields, cracked windshields, windshield replacement and other laws and regulations are different for every state. Cracked windshield laws in Iowa prohibit driving vehicles if driver’s view of the road is obstructed.

Can I drive with a cracked windshield in Iowa?

Iowa laws do not mention windshield cracks nor windshield obstruction. Despite this, federal regulations require any devices attached to windshields placed on uppermost 6 inches, and outside the area cleared by windshield wipers. Any stickers must also be outside wiper’s clearing area, and must not obstruct or impair clear view of the road.

Other laws and regulations:

  • Replacement windshields: Replacement windshield glass must be of the same kind and quality, and any repairs should restore vehicle to its original state.

Federal cracked windshield regulations

Federal regulations require drivers to have a clear vision of the road. Windshield cracks or chips smaller than ¾-inch are only permitted if they are not located within 3 inches of another crack.

Cracks and chips, or other damage which can potentially obstruct clear view of the road, must not be within critical vision area. This area is defined as area directly above the steering wheel, two inches from the top and one inch from sides.

Our information about Iowa cracked windshield laws was last updated in 2023 and checked in 2024. In case any info we provided is not up to date or correct be sure to contact us so we can revise it. Thank you!

We always advise checking with your local law enforcement or other relevant agencies. Iowa cracked window laws or windshield obstruction regulations in certain cities or counties may be different from state legislation. While we do our very best to advise whether it is legal to drive with cracked windshield, we can not be held liable for any potentially incorrect or misinterpreted info. Very often it is up to individual police officers to determine if your clear view of the road is obstructed.

State of Iowa Info

Iowa is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". Iowa was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. In the latter half of the 20th century, Iowa's agricultural economy made the transition to a diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services, Information Technology, biotechnology, and green energy production. Iowa is the 26th most extensive in land area and the 30th most populous of the 50 United States. Its capital and largest city is Des Moines. Iowa has been listed as one of the safest states in which to live.

Capital: Des Moines

Population: 3,074,186

Area: 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km2)

Cities ▼

Cities in Iowa: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames, Sioux City, Dubuque, Davenport, West Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Ankeny, Urbandale, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Bettendorf, Marshalltown, Coralville, Ottumwa, Burlington, Decorah, Muscatine, Mystic, Pella, Panora, Okoboji, Waukee, Clinton, Adel, Storm Lake, Marion, Le Claire, Keokuk, Defiance, Clive, Clear Lake, Fairfield, Indianola, Malcom, North Liberty, Delphos, Le Mars, Pioneer, Waverly, Johnston, Altoona, Fort Madison, Boone, Oskaloosa, Orange City

Counties ▼

Counties in Iowa: Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winnishiek, Woodbury, Worth, Wright

Wikipedia

State website



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