Does anyone know the NC "no windshield" law

CoonDogger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Location
Jacksonville, NC
I searched and searched but cannot find anything. Does anyone know the laws in NC about driving around with no windshield? I have heard that you do not need one as long as you take your windshield wipers off...............

Other than the fact that I don't have a windshield, my truck will pass NC inspection. So, I guess I am asking if it will pass inspection with out a windshield?

Maybe some of the Jeep guys can answer this because of the foldable windshield.

I would assume it would be just like a motorcycle as long as you have "eye protection" it should be fine.............
 
gotta have somewhere to put the inspection sticker...

I asked about it, because somebody said I could get them to use a sticker made for a motorcycle (so it would stick on from the front, not from the inside) and the inspector had no idea what I was talking about...

I really don't hink one is required...but if it's there, it can't be damaged to the point it impairs your vision...so the passenger side can be spiderwebbed, but not the driver's side...

I've never seen the actual law...just talked to my local inspector...

I also don't think you have to remove the wipers...they may still be "required"...if that seems dumb, I was told that my seatbelt was required, but the seat wasn't (I had pulled the interior out to roll in a bedliner, and he said I could've driven it up there sitting on a milk crate, as long as the seatbelt was in position)...

Greg
 
Thank you Greg. I also head something about the motorcycle sticker too, because it sticks from the other side. I guess you could stick it to the fender, cage, or hood.............. I dunno?
 
From my limited knowledge on this...

Wipers *ARE* required *IF* you have a windshield.

Now, if you were to put in a lexan WS, get the sitcker, and make it quickly removable "for offroad use only"... does that do it for you?

I recently made the rigid mount WS on the Moss fold (like other Jeeps) and have the ability to pull the hinge pins and take it completely off! OTOH, it's 35 years old and doesn't have to be stickered...
 
i spent alot of time on the NC general statutes last nite. the only thing i saw for windsheilds was that you have to use safety glass if you use glass.

Maybe if you could fabricate some small frame and piece of plexyglass for the sticker to adhere too.

If you'll look up the General Assembly statutes of NC theres a whole section on safety inspections that i didnt delve too deep into.
 
bigwaylon said:
gotta have somewhere to put the inspection sticker...
I asked about it, because somebody said I could get them to use a sticker made for a motorcycle (so it would stick on from the front, not from the inside) and the inspector had no idea what I was talking about...
I really don't hink one is required...but if it's there, it can't be damaged to the point it impairs your vision...so the passenger side can be spiderwebbed, but not the driver's side...
I've never seen the actual law...just talked to my local inspector...
I also don't think you have to remove the wipers...they may still be "required"...if that seems dumb, I was told that my seatbelt was required, but the seat wasn't (I had pulled the interior out to roll in a bedliner, and he said I could've driven it up there sitting on a milk crate, as long as the seatbelt was in position)...
Greg
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That's what I heard from my inspector. Nothing in the book states you have to have a windshield but wipers are period for anything that had wipers. That was her interpretation anyways? I imagine that every inspector will read it differently. Very vague. If no windshield, I'd at least wear a face shield going down the road unless you like the taste of grasshopper.:flipoff2:
 
chuckwhut said:
wipers are part of the safety inspection, but the windshield is not.
kinda like you don't have to have doors, but you do have to have side mirrors.
Click to expand...
the Windshield is part of the safety inspection.
I was told that you are not required to have a windshield, but if you dont have one, your required to wear goggles.
 
I was told that I didn't need wipers they were an option in 1948 but I don't need a inspection sticker either:lol:
 
Years ago, after I rolled my Ford in the mud pit, I cut the roof off flush with the cowl, took the doors off, and wore left over Desert Storm goggles. I drove it this way for about a year. I got alot of funny looks, but never got pulled. I left the working wipers on, and put the sticker on a piece of plexiglass fastened to the side of the hood.
 
BigWheelBob said:
Years ago, after I rolled my Ford in the mud pit, I cut the roof off flush with the cowl, took the doors off, and wore left over Desert Storm goggles. I drove it this way for about a year. I got alot of funny looks, but never got pulled. I left the working wipers on, and put the sticker on a piece of plexiglass fastened to the side of the hood.
Click to expand...

I like your answer.:bounce:
 
Here ya go

State code. It is written in English for those that care to look. Notice that it says "and has a windshield", not that you have to have one. If you don't have a windshield, you do not have to have wipers.

§ 20‑183.3. Scope of safety inspection and emissions inspection.
(a) Safety. – A safety inspection of a motor vehicle consists of an inspection of the following equipment to determine if the vehicle has the equipment required by Part 9 of Article 3 of this Chapter and if the equipment is in a safe operating condition:
(1) Brakes, as required by G.S. 20‑124.
(2) Lights, as required by G.S. 20‑129 or G.S. 20‑129.1.
(3) Horn, as required by G.S. 20‑125(a).
(4) Steering mechanism, as required by G.S. 20‑123.1.
(5) Windows and windshield wipers, as required by G.S. 20‑127. To determine if a vehicle window meets the window tinting restrictions, a safety inspection mechanic must first determine, based on use of an automotive film check card or knowledge of window tinting techniques, if after‑factory tint has been applied to the window. If after‑factory tint has been applied, the mechanic must use a light meter approved by the Commissioner to determine if the window meets the window tinting restrictions.
(6) Directional signals, as required by G.S. 20‑125.1.
(7) Tires, as required by G.S. 20‑122.1.
(8) Mirrors, as required by G.S. 20‑126.
(9) Exhaust system and emissions control devices, as required by G.S. 20‑128. For a vehicle that is subject to an emissions inspection in addition to a safety inspection, a visual inspection of the vehicle's emissions control devices is included in the emissions inspection rather than the safety inspection.
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§ 20‑127. Windows and windshield wipers.
(a) Windshield Wipers. – A vehicle that is operated on a highway and has a windshield shall have a windshield wiper to clear rain or other substances from the windshield in front of the driver of the vehicle and the windshield wiper shall be in good working order. If a vehicle has more than one windshield wiper to clear substances from the windshield, all the windshield wipers shall be in good working order.
....the rest is about tinting
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all! I am feeling much better about chopping the top now. It's road legal, and I do like to drive it around from time to time. Thanks for the time put into helping me.
 
A friend of mine bought a highly modified Manx dune buggy......
No windshield and no wipers. (Cali. vehicle )
All he had to do was install a hand operated wiper on the drivers side.

Matt

Oh yeah....he needed a back-up light also. Mini-mag in the glove box. (Inpection mechanics suggestion.)
 
RatLabGuy said:
I was told that you don't have to have an engine, only wipers.
Click to expand...

wow, what a dick answer that was...

good thing nothing has changed in 6 years
 
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