Is it legal to drive with a cracked windscreen in New Zealand?
Phone 0800 24 2000 for expert advice or free quotes for cracked windscreen repair or replacement.
If the crack on your windscreen meets the following criteria it is legal to be driving on New Zealand roads:
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Cracks within the critical vision area (150mm either way from the middle of the steering wheel) must be less than 25mm in length.​
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Cracks outside the critical vision area must be less than 100mm in length.
- The crack cannot start and finish on the edge of the windscreen.
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Only the outer layer of glass can be cracked on the windscreen's laminated sandwich glass.
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Why is it illegal to drive with a badly damaged windscreen in NZ?
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A windscreen contributes to approximately 40% of the vehicle's structural integrity in the event of a roll over.
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A windshield assists the vehicles airbag function by acting as a backstop in the event of an accident.
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Windshields are engineered specifically to prevent projectile objects from penetrating the cabin of the vehicle.
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A damaged windscreen can impair the driver's vision and distract them while driving.
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These are important safety features that protect both the occupants of the vehicle and other road users.
Penalties
How much can it cost me?
If you're caught driving with a cracked windscreen, you risk having your car pink stickered by the police. This can cost up to $235.00 for a removal check at VTNZ. In addition to that you can receive additional fines up to $10,000 for unauthorised removal of a pink sticker or driving a vehicle with a pink sticker on public roads. Exceptions are made only for driving the vehicle to an auto glass repair shop to have the windscreen fixed.
If your vehicle windshield is badly damaged, mobile windscreen replacement services may be your best option. Maverick Auto Glass offers this throughout the Auckland area. See mobile windscreen repair Auckland for more information and pricing.