Can You Take a Driving Test With a Cracked Windshield?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
The test vehicle has to be safe and legal, and an examiner can refuse a car with glass damage in the driver’s view. Whether a particular crack disqualifies the car depends on the testing office and local rules, so check with them beforehand. A chip repair takes 20 to 30 minutes and removes the question entirely.
Why the windshield matters on test day
The examiner rides in your car, so the vehicle has to be roadworthy before the test begins. A cracked windshield is one of the first things an examiner sees walking up, and damage in the driver’s line of sight is the kind of defect that can end the test before it starts — not because the examiner is being strict, but because the car is not considered safe to operate.
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois have no periodic safety inspection for passenger cars, so a crack that has gone unnoticed for months can still surface on test day, when someone actually looks at the glass with a checklist in hand.
Check the car the day before
- Walk the windshield in daylight and note any chips or cracks, especially in the driver’s direct view.
- Run every window up and down — a window that will not close is a defect an examiner notices.
- Check the wipers and washer fluid; visibility matters on the test.
- Look for warning lights on the dash, including lane-keeping or camera alerts.
- Confirm the registration and insurance paperwork is in the car.
If the glass is damaged before your test
A few days of lead time is plenty to put the question to rest.
- 1
Call the testing office
Ask whether a chip or crack in its current location would disqualify the car, so you know before you arrive.
- 2
Get the damage assessed
A chip up to about the size of a quarter is usually repairable; longer damage means a replacement quoted from the VIN.
- 3
Book the repair
Chip repair takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and replacement is done same-day or next-day in most areas.
- 4
Bring the invoice
Paperwork showing the glass was addressed answers any question the examiner has about a faint repair mark.
Line-of-sight damage is the one that stops the test
A chip low on the passenger side may pass; a crack crossing the driver’s view is the defect most likely to end the test before it begins. If the damage is anywhere in your direct sightline, fix it before test day rather than hoping the examiner overlooks it.
More questions about driving tests and glass
Will the examiner refuse my car for a cracked windshield?
An examiner can refuse a vehicle they consider unsafe, and a crack in the driver’s view is a common reason. The testing office sets the standard, so call ahead if you are unsure.
Does a small chip fail the road test?
A small chip outside the driver’s line of sight often does not, but the testing office decides. The safest move is to have it repaired, which takes minutes.
Do I need to fix the windshield if my state has no inspection?
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois do not require periodic safety inspections for passenger cars, but a driving test is a one-off check of the vehicle’s condition on that day. See whether a cracked windshield passes inspection.
Can I use a car with a repaired chip for the test?
Yes, once the repair is complete and stable. A filled chip is not an open crack, and most examiners treat it as addressed glass.
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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