REAR WINDOW
Can I be fined if I cannot see out the back window of my car?
Plus how much you could be fined
SOMETIMES the rear windscreen of your car will get covered in frost, snow, fog or bird mess, making it impossible to see out of it fully.
But how much of the back window needs to be clear while driving and where do you stand in the eyes of the law?
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Can I be fined if I cannot see out the back window of my car?
If you've driven down muddy roads, parked under a tree, or left your car in a garage for a while, the windows may end up covered in dirt.
If your vehicle gets dirty while driving, you should stop as soon as you possibly can safely and clean all of the windows immediately.
Rear visibility could be obstructed by transporting a lot of a baggage and piling the back seats or boot with too many objects, obscuring the view out the back of the car.
Blocking your rear screen is not illegal if your car has two fully functional wing mirrors, meaning motorists can pile their car high as long as your luggage and passengers do not exceed your motor's weight limit.
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You could be hit with hefty fines and even invalidate your insurance by over packing your motor.
Drivers can be slapped with a £50 fixed penalty offence if they pack their cars too full and exceed the weight limit or obstruct the view of road ahead, according to the RAC.
More seriously, you can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition, according to government guidelines.
If you are involved in an accident while your vehicle is loaded beyond its maximum limit or your view is obstructed, your insurance could also be invalidated.
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You could be liable for the cost of the damage to other people's property, as well your own.
What are the rules?
As a driver, you are responsible for making sure your vehicle is always roadworthy.
You have a high driving IQ in the top 1% if you can spot the car breaking the rules in just 22 seconds
The Highway Code states that not only back windows, but all windows in motor vehicles must be kept clean and free from obstruction to the driver's vision.
The Highway Code says: "Windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision."
Meanwhile, the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations stipulates: "All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road."
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How to avoid breaching the rules
According to the Government website, the general requirements are as follows:
- Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle.
- All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road.
So, to avoid being fined it is advisable to keep all the windows in your vehicle clear of anything that might impede your vision while driving.
But if you need to move house or are driving a van full of tools, it is essential that you have two fully operational wing mirrors to avoid receiving a fine.
Most Common Illegal Driving Activities
Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it.
- Using phone while driving
Cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine
New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it - Speeding
Lovers of fast and furious will end up with minimum three points and £100 fine - Running a red light
This offence will incur three points and £100 fine - Middle lane hogging
It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you out a £100 fine with three penalty points - Undertaking
This could possibly result in three points on your license and a £100 fine
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