Visibility (3)

Formerly MOT Test of Windscreen

The MOT windscreen Test includes all items affecting the driver’s view of the road: the condition of the windscreen, the wipers and washers.

Satnavs in the windscreen, furry dice, air fresheners or trinkets hanging from the mirror are not allowed. (The Tester may remove them with your permission).

On the basis that a bonnet which flies up while the vehicle is moving will obscure the driver’s vision, the MOT Test of the bonnet catch is now included in this section.

The condition of the windscreen and the windows on either side of the driver’s seat will be checked.

The Tester will sit in the driver’s seat, check the view of the road and check the view of mandatory external mirrors for:

damage in windscreen zone ‘A’ more than 10mm in diameter
damage in the remainder of the windscreen’s swept area more than 40mm in diameter
damage to windows on either side of the driver’s seat
excessive tinting or discolouration of the windscreen or windows on either side of the driver’s seat

Failure for damage is only justified if the damage significantly affects the driver’s view of the road.

Failure for tinting or discolouration will only apply if the driver’s view is significantly affected.

Zone ‘A’ is:

in the swept area of the windscreen
290mm wide

centred on the steering wheel

Official stickers (any used in connection with road enforcement, security or crime prevention matters) that are not readily removable are only a reason for rejection if they restrict the driver’s view.

The following are only considered a defect if they seriously restrict the driver’s view:

taxi signs to indicate when the vehicle is ‘for hire’
‘official’ stickers, such as parking and disabled permits
sun visor on the driver’s side that can’t be stowed in the ‘off screen’ position
windscreen wipers that automatically stop in a position obscuring the view

Additional interior mirrors and externally mounted items such as mascots and spare wheels aren’t part of the test.

Repaired windscreens must be judged solely on whether the repair interferes with vision. An ‘invisible’ or barely detectable repair, finished flush with the surrounding glass, doesn’t count as damage.

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. An obstruction: i. within the driver’s field of view that materially affects his view in front or to the sides outside the swept area of windscreen	Minor
ii. materially affecting the driver’s view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen or an obligatory external mirror not visible	Major
b. A bonnet: i. which cannot be safely secured in the closed position	Major
ii. seriously at risk of opening inadvertently	Dangerous
c. A bonnet primary retaining device excessively deteriorated, ineffective or insecure	Major

View to the rear

(Mirrors)

The Tester will check that all mandatory rear-view mirrors or indirect vision devices provide an adequate view to the rear from the driver’s seat.

Indirect vision cameras may replace mirrors on some vehicles. If such devices are fitted, the camera(s) and the screen will be inspected.

Rear view mirrors and indirect vision devices can be any of the following positions:

an exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the offside of the vehicle
an exterior mirror or device that provides a view along the nearside of the vehicle
an interior mirror or device which provides a view to the rear of the vehicle

The following categories apply to defects in this section:

Defect	Category
a. Obligatory mirror or device missing	Major
b. Obligatory mirror or device: i. slightly damaged or loose	Minor
ii. inoperative, excessively damaged or insecure	Major
c. Obligatory mirror or device not providing an adequate view to the rear	Major