I'm wondering about the legal ramifications of a cracked windshield in
Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

I have heard that you can get a ticket for a cracked windshield in all
three areas, but I can't find any documentation to confirm that. Maybe
a defective equipment ticket?

Also, I familiar with the vehicle inspection laws in Virginia and
Maryland, but not DC? How often do non-commercial vehicles need to be
inspected in DC? Will a cracked windshield pass inspection in DC?

Hi Crackedwindshield,

It appears that you can be cited for a cracked windshield in these
states. I doubt whether it can be the primary reason for stopping you
(unless it's very obvious and plainly obstructing your view).

****Virginia****

According to the safety inspection guidelines of the Virginia State
Police:
In the Virginia Official Safety Inspection Manual, Section 19 VAC
30-70-210, page 210-2, paragraphs 7 and 8, states:

Inspect for and reject if:

7. There is a pit, chip, or star crack larger than 1½ inches in
diameter at any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at
the bottom.

8. At any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the
bottom there is more than one crack from the same point if at least
one of the cracks is more than 1½ inches in length. There is any crack
that weakens the windshield so that one piece may be moved in relation
to the other. (If there is more than one crack running from a star
crack that extends above the 3-inch line, the windshield shall be
rejected.)
[ http://www.vsp.state.va.us/safety.htm#FAQ%20Safety ]

****Maryland****

I could not find anything specific on the Maryland Motor Vehicle or
State Police site:
[ http://www.mva.state.md.us/ ]
[ http://www.inform.umd.edu/UMS+State/MD_Resources/MDSP/ ]

I did find some information in the newsgroups that is relevant:
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?q=Maryland+vehicle+inspection+windshield&hl=en&safe=off&selm=35bb64df.17883283%40news.erols.com&rnum=1
]

[ http://groups.google.com/groups?q=Maryland+vehicle+inspection+windshield&hl=en&safe=off&selm=3AE79950.439417AC%40home.com&rnum=7
]

Bottom line, it looks like Maryland has vehicle inspections and will
fail you for cracks in your windshield if they obstruct your view.

****Washington, D.C.****

Washington D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
[ http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/main.shtm ]
[ http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/serv/inspections.shtm ]

D.C. vehicle requirements state that a vehicle must:
 - have a windshield providing an unobstructed field of vision; 
suggesting that a crack the obstructs the driver's field of vision
will be considered a violation.
[ http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/serv/dlicense/rd_vehicle.shtm ]

Relevant newsgroup discussions:
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?q=d.c.+crack+windshield&hl=en&safe=off&selm=01bc19da%24bddeee40%240100a8c0%40u19.os2bbs.com&rnum=1
]

Newsgroup searches:
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?num=20&hl=en&safe=off&q=d.c.+crack+windshield
]
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?num=20&hl=en&safe=off&q=maryland+crack+windshield
]
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?num=20&hl=en&safe=off&q=virginia+vehicle+inspection+windshield
]

good luck!
mit

---

Request for Answer Clarification by crackedwindshield-ga on 06 May 2002 07:02 PDT

Any idea what the specific citation is for a cracked windshield in
these three areas? Also, how often do non-commercial vehicles need to
be inspected in DC?

---

Clarification of Answer by mit-ga on 07 May 2002 17:44 PDT

Whoops. Let's clarify that for you:

Following the link to the Washington D.C. Department of motor vehicles
that I posted in the inital answer states:
 
Pleasure vehicles, such as campers and RVs, must be inspected every
two years
 
[ http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/serv/inspections.shtm ] 
 
I can't help you if you don't help yourself! 
 
cheers! 
 
mit

Question only answered partially, even after clarification. Still did
not answer how often DC vehicles need to be inspected or specific
violations for cracked windshields in areas listed. Telling me to call
the DMV is not a helpful answer.

Crackedwindshield,

I was able to find a few items about windshield violations and fees,
but I recommend that you call one of the DMVs or state police offices
(see links in previous posting):

This is a Fairfax, VA county fee schedule, but it should give you an
idea of the range:
[ http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/courts/gendist/paylist.htm ]

Driver's view obstructed because of suspended objects or altered
vehicles
Statute: 46.2-1054
Fine: $30
Processing Fee: $42
Total: $72

Inadequate windshield wipers
Statute: 46.2-1055
Fine: $30
Processing Fee: $42
Total: $72

Absence of required safety glass
Statute: 46.2-1056
Fine: $30
Processing Fee: $42
Total: $72

Absence of windshield
Statute: 46.2-1057
Fine: $30
Processing Fee: $42
Total: $72

I don't know why this listing has different fees, but again, you can
probably use these as ballpark estimates (counties may have different
"administration fees"):
[ http://www.courts.state.va.us/ed/resources/dcman/appendxc.pdf ]

Driver’s view obstructed because of suspended objects or altered
vehicles
46.2-1054
$58

Inadequate windshield wipers
46.2-1055
$58

Absence of required safety glass
46.2-1056
$58

Absence of windshield
46.2-1057
$58

According to Virgina Code of Law, 46.2, your registration could be
suspended for a violation, but I'm guessing that if you were pulled
over for some other violation, they might make a note of it and tell
you to get it fixed.
[ http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1000 ]

§ 46.2-1000. Department to suspend registration of vehicles lacking
certain equipment; officer to take possession of registration card,
license plates and decals when observing defect in motor vehicle; when
to be returned.

The Department shall suspend the registration of any motor vehicle,
trailer, or semitrailer which the Department or the Department of
State Police determines is not equipped with proper (i) brakes, (ii)
lights, (iii) horn or warning device, (iv) turn signals, (v) safety
glass when required by law, (vi) mirror, (vii) muffler, (viii)
windshield wiper, (ix) steering gear adequate to ensure the safe
movement of the vehicle as required by this title or when such vehicle
is equipped with a smoke screen device or cutout or when such motor
vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is otherwise unsafe to be operated.

Any law-enforcement officer shall, when he observes any defect in a
motor vehicle as described above, take possession of the registration
card, license plates, and decals of any such vehicle and retain the
same in his possession for a period of fifteen days unless the owner
of the vehicle corrects the defects or obtains a new safety inspection
sticker from an authorized safety inspection station. When the defect
or defects are corrected as indicated above the registration card,
license plates, and decals shall be returned to the owner.

(Code 1950, § 46-56; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-58; 1960, c. 119; 1964, c.
414; 1972, c. 609; 1989, c. 727.)

Maryland:
This person was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt, so windshield
obstruction may be in the same safety category:
[ http://groups.google.com/groups?q=maryland+ticket+windshield+%24&hl=en&safe=off&selm=392DDD63.4A7F8F1E%40injersey.infi.net&rnum=8
]

mit

Following the link to the Washington D.C. Department of motor vehicles
that I posted in the inital answer states:

Pleasure vehicles, such as campers and RVs, must be inspected every
two years

[ http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/serv/inspections.shtm ]

I can't help you if you don't help yourself!

cheers!