Tennessee • Driver guide
Cracked Windshield Law in Tennessee
Tennessee's cracked windshield law is shorter than most drivers expect: no statute sets a crack size for a car. What the law does cover is a clear view of the road and wipers that work, and commercial trucks answer to a much stricter federal rule.
Is It Illegal to Drive With a Cracked Windshield in Tennessee?
No, not on its own. A cracked windshield is legal to drive on in Tennessee until it interferes with the driver's view or with the wipers. The statutes on windshields deal with tint and wipers; none of them mentions cracks, and there is no inch limit for a passenger car.
That leaves the decision with the officer. A crack that runs through the driver's side of the glass, or a bullseye in the line of sight, can be treated as an obstructed view. A chip low on the passenger side almost never is.
The wiper rule
Tenn. Code Ann. 55-9-203 requires a vehicle with a windshield to have two wipers, or one that clears the glass to within an inch of each side. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor. A crack with a raised edge that catches the blade, or glass so damaged the wipers cannot clear it, can fall under this rule.
Tint on the windshield
Under Tenn. Code Ann. 55-9-107 the windshield must let through more than 70 percent of light, with non-reflective film allowed only above the AS-1 line. A new windshield comes back clear, so anyone re-tinting after a replacement should check the Tennessee window tint law first.
The windshield is a structural part of the car. Federal standards count on it for roof crush resistance and to back up the passenger airbag when it deploys (FMVSS 212 and 216). A long crack weakens both, whether or not anyone writes a ticket.
Commercial Trucks: The Federal Crack Rule
Memphis runs on freight, and commercial motor vehicles do have a numeric limit. Under 49 CFR 393.60(c) the windshield must be free of damage and discoloration in the area from the top of the steering wheel upward, leaving out a 2 inch border at the top and a 1 inch border at each side.
Inside that area, only three things are allowed:
- Tint that meets the 70 percent light rule in paragraph (d)
- A crack that no other crack crosses
- A damaged spot a 3/4 inch disc would cover, at least 3 inches from any other damaged spot
Two chips close together, or a star break with legs that cross, fail that test even when a car with the same damage would pass. For fleet pickups and work trucks, catching a chip early with a windshield chip repair keeps the glass inside the rule.
- Starts: at the height of the top of the steering wheel, going up
- Leaves out: 2 inches along the top edge, 1 inch along each side
- Chip allowance: fits under a 3/4 inch disc
- Spacing: at least 3 inches from the next damaged spot
Tennessee, Mississippi and Truck Rules Side by Side
Plenty of Memphis-area drivers cross into DeSoto County every day. Miss. Code 63-7-59 is about material on the glass and moisture clearing, not cracks, and Mississippi ended its annual inspection sticker on July 1, 2015.
| Rule | Tennessee cars | Mississippi cars | Commercial trucks (federal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack size limit for cars | None in statute | None in statute | Yes, above the steering wheel |
| Clear view of the road | Officer's judgment | No non-transparent material | No obstructions in sight lines |
| Wipers | Two, or one clearing to within 1 inch of each side (55-9-203) | Driver-controlled moisture clearing (63-7-59) | Federal equipment rules |
| Windshield tint | Over 70% light; film only above the AS-1 line (55-9-107) | Separate statute | At least 70% light (393.60(d)) |
Repair It Before It Becomes a Legal Question
Most cracks start as a chip, and a chip smaller than a quarter, away from the edge and outside the driver's view can usually be filled for $85 to $110. Many carriers waive the deductible on that repair. In Memphis the window is short: summer heat on the outside of the glass and A/C on the inside is what turns a chip into a running crack.
Once a crack is longer than about 6 inches, has branched, or sits in front of the driver, the answer is windshield replacement, typically $176 to $767 in Memphis; the windshield replacement cost page shows what your car's features add. On a car with a camera behind the glass, plan for ADAS calibration as well.
Not sure which side of the line your glass is on? The repair vs replace guide walks through it, or call and describe the damage.
Cracked Windshield Law Questions
Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield in Tennessee?
Can I get a ticket for a cracked windshield in Memphis?
What size windshield crack is legal in Tennessee?
Is a cracked windshield legal on a semi or work truck?
What about driving in Southaven or elsewhere in Mississippi?
General information on the law as written, not legal advice. Enforcement is at the officer's discretion, and city or county practice can vary.
Free quotes on repair or replacement across Memphis and Shelby County.