Drivers in Utah are required to follow the traffic laws in order to keep themselves and others safe on the roadways. However, in addition to rules of the road, motorists are also required to make sure their vehicles meet certain safety standards as well. Below are the windshield laws that drivers in Utah have to follow when driving throughout the state.
Windshield requirements
Utah requires the following for all vehicles driven on the roadways:
All vehicles are required to have windshields.
The windshield and all other windows must be made of safety glass, which is glass combined with other materials to increase safety and reduce the possibility of shattering or flying glass if it is struck or broken.
All vehicles must have windshield wipers that are in good working condition with blades that are free from rips and tears.
All vehicles must have a defroster with a blower that directs heated air onto the windshield.
Obstructions
Utah also regulates potential obstructions to the driver’s view of the roadways.
Posters, signs and other nontransparent materials are not permitted on the windshield or front side windows of any vehicle.
Certificates and permits required by law are permitted.
Non-transparent stickers may be affixed only in the lower left corner of the windshield and may not extend over four inches above the bottom edge.
Non-transparent materials are also permitted on the back side and rear window.
Window tint
Tinted windows are permitted if they are within the following regulations:
Tint on the windshield must be non-reflective and located above the AS-1 line from the manufacturer.
Tint applied to the front side windows must allow greater than 43% of the light to pass through.
The back side and rear window can have any tint darkness.
Side mirrors are required if rear window is tinted.
Metallic and mirrored tints are not permitted on any vehicle.
Cracks, chips and defects
Utah has the following rules regarding chips, cracks and other defects in the windshield:
Any windshield that is pitted, scratched, clouded or discolored in a way that obscures the driver’s vision are not permitted.
Windshields cannot have cloudiness that extends more than one inch from the side edge, greater than four inches from the top edge or more than three inches from the bottom edge.
Decorative etching other than that applied by the manufacturer is not permitted.
Cracks or chips larger than one inch are not permitted in the area six inches from the top of the windshield, six inches from the bottom and six inches from either side edge.
Violations
Utah motorists who fail to comply with the above laws will not be able to pass the required vehicle inspections and will be subjected to fines if pulled over while driving with any of the above issues.
If your windshield needs to be inspected or your wipers are not working properly, a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, can help you get back on the road safely and quickly so you are driving within the laws.
