You could be fined £5,000 for putting stickers on your car windows

Sticking a baby airplane sticker on your car windshield could land you in hot water with the police – and fines can be as high as £5,000.

Drivers can face hefty fines if it obstructs their view whether it’s a baby sticker on a car or a football club logo. Here’s how to avoid it.

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It’s not entirely illegal to put a label on your car, but the UK’s Highways Code clearly states “windshields and windows must be kept clean and clear of obstructions”.

This is the law because any type of interference on your windshield can limit your vision, potentially reduce reaction times, and even contribute to accidents.

The Road Traffic Law also states that “no one may operate a motor vehicle on the road if he is in a position where he cannot … see the whole road and the traffic ahead.”

This rule also applies to rear-view windows and windshields.

If the police think a sticker prevents you from seeing the whole road, they can fine you £100 on the spot and three penalty points on your licence.

However, you can be charged with careless or dangerous driving if you cause an accident.

Depending on the severity of the incident, you could be fined up to £5,000, nine penalty points and even stripped of your driving privileges.

Drivers can also experience MOT slippage if a sticker is placed in the path of their windshield wipers.

To avoid problems with landing, be careful to make sure that any stickers on your car don’t affect your ability to see the front and rear windshields.

The UK has tightened regulations since a taxi driver was fined for leaving feathered dice and two air fresheners hanging from their rearview mirror when involved in a fatal collision with a person. walking in 2008.

You may also be fined for being cold or dirty windshield if it means your eyesight is impaired while driving.

In November 2021 a Lazy drivers are fined after he was caught driving around with ice and snow covered on the windshield.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “You should always make sure you can see your vehicle and anything that obstructs your view could lead to the police. charged with careless driving.

“It’s an immediate £100 fine and three points.

“While the rear window law is explained by the police, your windshield should never have anything stuck in the sweep of the wiper blade – this is an MOT fault.

“That would include stickers, sat nav or even dash cams.

“If you’re against someone because you can’t see them, that could be considered an ‘aggravating factor’ in any subsequent court appearance and lead to a higher penalty.

“We are likely to see more and more stickers appear on our windshields in the coming years, as low-emission zones and parking controls become more common, so It is important that safety is never compromised.”