Ohio Cracked Windshield Laws

Ohio cracked winshield usage is governed by the state's Code. All relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to cracked windshields and windows in Ohio 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 Ohio prohibit driving vehicles if driver’s view of the road is obstructed.

Can I drive with a cracked windshield in Ohio?

Ohio laws prohibit driving with impaired or obstructed view of the road. Stickers and other objects may not be attached to car windshields if they prevent clear view of the road.

Other laws and regulations:

  • Obstructed windshield regulations: No sign, poster, or other non-transparent material is allowed on windshield unless in lower left or right corner, and not exceeding 4 inches in height and 6 inches in width.
  • Replacement windshields: Replacement windshield glass must be of the same kind and quality, and any repairs should restore vehicle to its original state.
  • Windshield wipers: Vehicles must be equipped with windshield wipers in good working conditions. Cracks which prevent wipers from operating correctly may be illegal.

Federal cracked windshield regulations

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

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

Our information about Ohio 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. Ohio 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.

Cracked windshield law references:

Ohio Code Chapter 4513.17: Traffic Laws - Equipment

State of Ohio Info

Ohio is a state in the Midwestern United States. Ohio is the 34th largest (by area), the 7th most populous, and the 10th most densely populated of the 50 United States. The state's capital and largest city is Columbus.

Capital: Columbus

Population: 11,544,225

Area: 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km2)

Cities ▼

Cities in Ohio: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Steubenville, Akron, Dayton, Toledo, Youngstown, Canton, Defiance, Sandusky, Avon, Warren, Lima, Dublin, Put-in-Bay, Cuyahoga Falls, Strongsville, Xenia, Westerville, Findlay, Zanesville, Elyria, Mentor, Mansfield, Lakewood, Chillicothe, Springfield, Delphos, Wooster, Mason, Parma, Marysville, Kettering, Perrysburg, Shaker Heights, Grove City, Westlake, Columbiana, Athens, Yellow Springs, Massillon, Stow, West Chester Township, Hamilton, Loveland, Oberlin, Middletown, Chagrin Falls, Troy

Counties ▼

Counties in Ohio: Adams, Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Darke, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Preble, Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, State Level Sites, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood, Wyandot

Wikipedia

State website



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