Will a Cracked Windshield Fail a State Inspection? What You Need to Know
For many drivers, the annual or biennial state vehicle inspection is a source of minor anxiety. You check your blinkers, test your horn, and ensure your tires have enough tread. But then your eyes wander to that spiderweb crack creeping up from the bottom of your glass. The big question looms: Will a cracked windshield cause your car to fail its state inspection? The answer is often "yes," but the specifics depend heavily on where you live and exactly where the damage is located. Understanding the criteria that inspectors use can save you from a "failed" sticker and the hassle of a mandatory re-inspection. The General Rule: The Driver’s View While every state has its own unique transportation code, almost all of them follow a central principle: unobstructed vision. If a crack, chip, or "bullseye" interferes with the driver’s ability to see the road, pedestrians, or traffic signals clearly, it is an automatic failure. The "Acute Area" Inspector...