This
inspection applies to
vehicles in Classes 3, 4 & 7 (including those with opening windscreens). Note:
For Class 5 vehicles see Section 6.9
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, i.e. 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 the 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.
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 driver’s 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 Police 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 1b
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
BSAU242 and BSAU251.
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Windscreen
1. Whilst
sitting in the driver's seat and, referring to the diagram below, examine the
driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen.
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 item1 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 the windscreen.
Windscreen protection
Windscreen protection or additional strengthening supports fitted to vehicles
which have a security role, e.g. 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.
Sunvisors
Sunvisors fitted to the driver’s side, which cannot be stowed in the ‘off
screen’ 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
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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.
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 they seriously restrict the driver’s
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.
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