CHAPTER 19. WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS
IC 9-19-19
Chapter 19. Windows and Windshield Wipers
IC 9-19-19-1
Safety glazing materials defined
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "safety glazing materials" means
glazing materials constructed, treated, or combined with other
materials to reduce substantially, in comparison with ordinary sheet
glass or plate glass, the likelihood of injury to persons by objects
from exterior sources or by the safety glazing materials when the
materials are cracked or broken.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-19-2
Front windshield
Sec. 2. A motor vehicle, except a motorcycle or a motor-driven
cycle, required to be registered with the bureau must be equipped
with a front windshield.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-19-3
Decals, signs, posters, sunscreens, or other nontransparent
material
Sec. 3. (a) This section does not apply to the display of a decal
required by the United States Department of Defense on the
following:
(1) A military vehicle.
(2) A motor vehicle owned by a person in the service of the
armed forces of the United States.
(3) A motor vehicle owned by a person employed by the armed
forces of the United States.
(4) A motor vehicle authorized to display the decal by the
military police of the armed forces of the United States.
(b) A person may not drive a motor vehicle with a sign, poster,
sunscreening material, or other nontransparent material upon the
front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle
that obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or an intersecting
highway. However, signs, posters, or other nontransparent material
not larger than four (4) inches square may be placed upon the front
windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows in the lower corner
farthest removed from the driver's position.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-19-4
Tinting, glazing, or sunscreening vehicle windows
Sec. 4. (a) This section does not apply to a manufacturer's tinting
or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise
in compliance with or permitted by FMVSS205 as promulgated in 49
CFR 571.205. Proof from the manufacturer, supplier, or installer that
the tinting or glazing is in compliance with or permitted by
FMVSS205 must be carried in the vehicle.
(b) This section does not apply to the driver of a vehicle:
(1) that is owned by an individual required for medical reasons
to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or
(2) in which an individual required for medical reasons to be
shielded from the direct rays of the sun is a habitual passenger.
The medical reasons must be attested to by a physician or optometrist
licensed to practice in Indiana, and the physician's or optometrist's
certification of that condition must be carried in the vehicle. The
physician's or optometrist's certificate must be renewed annually.
(c) A person may not drive a motor vehicle that has a:
(1) windshield;
(2) side wing;
(3) side window that is part of a front door; or
(4) rear back window;
that is covered by or treated with sunscreening material or is tinted
to the extent or manufactured in a way that the occupants of the
vehicle cannot be easily identified or recognized through that
window from outside the vehicle. However, it is a defense if the
sunscreening material applied to those windows has a total solar
reflectance of visible light of not more than twenty-five percent
(25%) as measured on the nonfilm side and light transmittance of at
least thirty percent (30%) in the visible light range.
(d) A person may not tint or otherwise cover or treat with
sunscreening the parts of a vehicle described in subsection (c) so that
operation of the vehicle after the tinting or sunscreening is performed
is a violation of subsection (c). However, it is not a violation of this
chapter if this work is performed for a person who submits a
physician's or optometrist's statement as described in subsection (b)
to the person who is to perform the work.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.128-1995, SEC.1;
P.L.12-2003, SEC.1.
IC 9-19-19-5
Sale or registration of new vehicles not equipped with approved
safety glazing; application of section
Sec. 5. (a) This section applies to all passenger-type motor
vehicles, including passenger buses and school buses. With respect
to trucks, including truck-tractors, the requirements for safety glazing
material in this section apply to all glazing material used in doors,
windows, and windshields in the driver's compartment of a vehicle.
(b) A person may not sell a new motor vehicle and a new motor
vehicle may not be registered unless the vehicle is equipped with
safety glazing material of a type approved by the director of traffic
safety wherever glazing material is used in doors, windows, and
windshields.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-19-6
Windshield wipers
Sec. 6. (a) The windshield on a motor vehicle must be equipped
with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the
windshield. The device must be constructed to be controlled or
operated by the driver of the vehicle.
(b) A windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle must be maintained
in good working order.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7.
IC 9-19-19-7
United States Department of Transportation regulations;
classification of violations
Sec. 7. (a) This section does not apply to a person who owns or
operates a vehicle or combination of vehicles that:
(1) contains parts and accessories; and
(2) is equipped;
as required under regulations of the United States Department of
Transportation.
(b) Except as provided in section 8 of this chapter, a person who
violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.12-2003, SEC.2.
IC 9-19-19-8
Action of tinting or applying sunscreening so vehicle occupants not
easily identified; classification of offense
Sec. 8. A person who violates section 4(d) of this chapter commits
a Class A infraction.
As added by P.L.12-2003, SEC.3.