Driving with a cracked windscreen can lead to a fixed penalty notice of £100, three penalty points and a possible driving ban if the damage obstructs your view or makes the vehicle dangerous, according to GOV.UK.
Under UK law, including the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, drivers must have a clear, unobstructed view of the road ahead. Driving with damage that impairs vision or weakens the glass can be treated as using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
What the Highway Code says
The Highway Code states that drivers should always have a full and clear view of the road ahead, and that the glass should be kept in good condition. Since a cracked windscreen affects both of these points, it could result in a penalty if you are stopped by the police or if you are involved in a car accident.
According to the experts at Kwik Fit, if the police believe your windscreen damage makes your car unsafe, you could be stopped and penalised.
Can you safely drive with a cracked windscreen?
Whether it is safe depends on where the crack is located. Damage on the passenger side may be less likely to affect your direct view, but it can still be within the area swept by the wipers, it can still spread, and it can still create glare or distortion. If the crack is large or distracts you, it needs to be fixed immediately.
A cracked windscreen may also likely result in an immediate MOT failure. The rules for this do not apply only to the spot on the windscreen you look through when driving - the condition of the screen as a whole is vital.
What happens if you are caught?
Driving with a damaged windscreen could be an offence if the damage obstructs your view or makes the vehicle dangerous to drive. In addition to the £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points, a possible driving ban may be imposed. If you have an accident while driving with a cracked windscreen, you may face more severe charges.
A video posted by the TikTok account George's Car Media, which often shares advice from police about driving rules, showed a police officer stopping a driver because of a crack in his windscreen. The officer explained that the damage was extensive, and because there were multiple cracks, it could eventually lead to the driver's view becoming seriously obstructed. While it was not clear what the driver's punishment was, the incident serves as a reminder to get your windscreen fixed as soon as possible, no matter how small the crack is.
