Information

Method of Inspection

Reason for rejection

Windscreen:
This inspection applies to
All vehicles (including those with opening windscreens).

Temporary windscreens
Temporary windscreens are not intended for everyday use. A temporary Windscreen fitted to a vehicle presented for test is to be a reason for rejection.

Repaired windscreens
Repaired windscreens must be inspected to the same test criteria as original unrepaired windscreens. Repairs must be Judged solely on the basis of whether they interfere with vision. An 'invisible' or barely detectable repair, finished flush with the surrounding glass, does not count as damage even if it exceeds the limit on damage allowed in the test If these criteria are met, the position and size of repairs is not relevant for the purposes of the test.

Scratches
Scratches on the Windscreen, ie light surface scratching, are not to be considered as damage. However, an area of concentrated scratching such as caused by the prolonged use of a defective wiper blade which obscures vision is to be considered a reason for rejection if it meets the fail criteria.

Grooved windscreens
Grooves in t-he windscreens which are designed specifically to clean the wiper blades are not subject to Reason for Rejection 1 unless they seriously impair the driver's view of the road.

Windscreen

1. Referring to the diagram below, examine the swept area of the Windscreen and the drivers view through it.

1. In Zone 'A:

a. damage not contained within a
10mm diameter circle, or

b. a Windscreen sticker or other
obstruction encroaching more than 10mm

c. a combination of minor damage areas which seriously restricts the driver's view
In the remainder of the swept area:

d. damage not contained within a 40mm diameter circle, or

e. a Windscreen sticker or other
obstruction encroaching more than 40mm

f. a temporary Windscreen fitted.

Note: All the items listed in the information column should be taken into account before rejecting a vehicle.

Windscreen Inspection Zones

Zone 'A is:
. in the swept area of the Windscreen
. 290mm wide
. centred on the centre of the steering
wheel.

Information

'Official' stickers

'Official' stickers that are not readily removable - such as vehicle licences, parking and access permits - are only a reason for rejection if they seriously restrict the drivers view. 'Official' stickers should be taken to be any sticker that is used in connection with 'road enforcement', 'security' or 'crime prevention' matters.
These include: Disabled Persons Badges/permits, Parking Permits. Licences and Vehicle Anti-Theft Scheme stickers issued by a Policy Authority.

Advice to vehicle presenters

the vehicle presenter should be advised of and given the opportunity to remove any item likely to fail under Reason for Rejection 1 b or 1e before a VT30 is issued,

In certain circumstances, windscreen damage may be safely repaired. If a repair is to be contemplated, a vehicle owner should be recommended to seek advice from a service provider competent of repairing to the British Standard Codes of Practice BSAU242and BSAU251).

Opaque edging

Opaque edging on a windscreen (usually
black, particularly at the lower edge) found on some modern vehicles is not to be regarded as part of the windscreen when assessing the drivers view through the windscreen within 8.3 Item 1 of the Inspection Manual.

Additional Opaque Films

Additional opaque films are subject to reason for rejection 1 whether fitted on the inside or outside of fhe windscreen.

Windscreen protection

Windscreen protection or additional strengthening supports fitted to vehicles which have a security role, eg bullion vehicles. Post Office vehicles etc intended to aid security, are not to be considered a reason for rejection when assessing obstructions to vision.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades that park automatically in a position that obscures the view through the windscreen are subject to reason for rejection 1.

Sun visors

Sunvisors fitted to the driver's side, which cannot be stowed in the 'offscreen' position and which drop down obstructing the view through the swept area of the windscreen are a reason for rejection. A similar defect on the passenger side sunvisor is not a reason for rejection.

Taxi signs

Taxi signs displayed in the front windscreen of Hackney Carriage vehicles of the type used to indicate when the vehicle Is 'for hire' (usually by being illuminated) are only a reason for rejection If rhey seriously restrict the drivers view.

Mascots

Mascots and other external mountings forward of the windscreen are not part of the test.

Additional mirrors and tinting films

Additional mirrors and tinting films are not subject to Reason for Rejection 1.

Original design

Original vehicle design characteristics are to be accepted.

Issue Date: 10th January 2005