Washington Cracked Windshield Laws

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

Can I drive with a cracked windshield in Washington?

Washington laws do not specifically mention windshield cracks, but drivers are not permitted to operate vehicles with obstructed view of the road. You may also not attach any stickers or other objects to windshields if they prevent clear view of the road.

Other laws and regulations:

  • Obstructed windshield regulations: No sign, poster, or other non-transparent material allowed on windshield unless required by law.
  • 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.

As per WAC 204-10-024 driver “Must have no obstruction forward of the windshield which extends more than two inches upward into the horizontally forward projected vision area of the windshield“. Projected vision area of the windshield is defined as “that area above a line from the top of the steering wheel to the top of the front fenders or hood, whichever is higher“.

Federal cracked windshield regulations

Federal regulations also require all 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 Washington 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. Washington 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 Washington Info

Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, and south of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Named after George Washington, the first President of the United States, the state was carved out of the western part of the Washington Territory which had been ceded by Britain in 1846 by the Oregon Treaty as a settlement of the Oregon Boundary Dispute. It was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. Washington is the 18th most extensive and the 13th most populous of the 50 United States.

Capital: Olympia

Population: 6,897,012

Area: 71,300 sq mi (184,827 km2)

Cities ▼

Cities in Washington: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Olympia, Redmond, Everett, Bellingham, Renton, Yakima, Kirkland, Vancouver, Puyallup, Issaquah, Federal Way, Bothell, Lynnwood, Bremerton, Kennewick, Kent, Auburn, Tri-Cities, Forks, Wenatchee, Port Angeles, Richland, Gig Harbor, Walla Walla, Pasco, Pullman, Port Townsend, Woodinville, Edmonds, Marysville, Anacortes, Sequim, Mercer Island, Mount Vernon, Lakewood, Ellensburg, Bainbridge Island, Leavenworth, Poulsbo, Lacey, Tukwila, SeaTac, Shoreline, Fort Lewis, Sammamish, Port Orchard

Counties ▼

Counties in Washington: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferso, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima

Wikipedia

State website



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