Are working windshield wipers required by law in Michigan?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
Yes. Section 4 of MCL 257.709 requires every windshield wiper on a vehicle to be kept in good working order, so driving with blades that streak badly, chatter, or leave the glass unclear can put you on the wrong side of the law. Wipers matter doubly in Michigan because the same statute also bars anything that obstructs the driver’s vision.
What the statute says about wipers
Michigan’s vehicle code addresses wipers directly. Section 4 of MCL 257.709 requires every windshield wiper to be kept in good working order, which puts worn, torn, or missing blades on the wrong side of the law rather than leaving them a matter of taste.
The same statute’s vision provision gives the wiper rule teeth. Section 1(c) bars anything that obstructs the driver’s vision, and blades that smear road film across the glass instead of clearing it create exactly that obstruction. A streaked windshield on a rainy night is a vision problem the code already covers.
Wipers are also the one part of this system a driver controls completely. Blades are consumable items, and keeping them fresh is straightforward maintenance.
Keeping your wipers in good working order
A simple routine keeps the system legal and the glass clear in every season.
- 1
Inspect the blades monthly
Slide a finger along the rubber edge looking for splits, hardening, and debris lodged in the channel. Cleaning the blades removes the road film that causes streaking.
- 2
Replace them on a schedule
Most blades do their best work for roughly six months to a year before the rubber ages out. Streaking, chattering, or skipping across the glass are the signals to swap sooner.
- 3
Keep washer fluid topped up
Dry glass destroys rubber edges quickly. Use proper washer fluid rather than plain water, which can freeze and leaves the glass spotted.
- 4
Free the blades before running them
Break ice free by hand or with the defroster before switching the wipers on; running blades frozen to the glass tears the edge.
Signs your wipers are past good working order
- Streaks of water left across the sweep on every pass.
- Chattering or skipping as the arm travels the glass.
- Visible cracks, splits, or missing chunks of rubber.
- A blade that lifts off the glass at highway speed.
- Rubber that feels hard and glazed rather than supple.
More questions about wipers and the law
Can you get a ticket for broken wipers in Michigan?
Yes. A wiper not in good working order fails section 4 of the statute on its own, and the smeared glass it leaves behind can be cited as obstructed vision besides.
Is it illegal to drive without wipers?
A vehicle with missing or inoperative wipers does not meet the statute, and in rain the driver has no lawful way to keep the glass clear. Treat inoperative wipers as a repair-before-driving item.
Does a glass shop replace wiper blades?
Blades are a parts-store item and a do-it-yourself job in most cases; Skyview does not list wiper installation among its services. Buy blades by year, make, and model and follow the instructions that come with them.
Wipers and your replacement visit
If your windshield is being replaced, mention the wiper condition when you book. The arms come off during the job, and fresh blades protect the new glass from the streaking that ages it fastest. This summary of the statute is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
More in Safety and the law
- Is it safe to drive with a cracked windshield?
- How does a windshield protect you in a crash?
- Does a cracked windshield affect the airbags?
- Can you sell or trade in a car with a cracked windshield?
- Should you replace the windshield after an accident?
- What should you do if your windshield cracks while driving?
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