Is it legal to mount things on your windshield?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois all prohibit driving with anything that obstructs the driver’s view through the windshield. A phone mount, a dash cam, or a GPS placed in the wiper-swept area the driver looks through can count as an obstruction. The specifics vary by state, so keep mounts high or low and out of the driver’s view, and check the state rules.
What the law cares about
The law does not ban mounts by name. It bans driving with the driver’s view obstructed. A small device placed high behind the rearview mirror or low on the dash is usually fine; the same device planted in the middle of the wiper-swept area the driver looks through can be treated as an obstruction.
Michigan, Indiana and Illinois each prohibit driving with glass or objects that obstruct the driver’s view. The details — what counts as an obstruction, where a device may sit, whether a rearview mirror hanging counts — vary by state. Check the rules for the state where the vehicle is registered and driven.
Where to place a mount to stay clear
- High on the windshield, behind the rearview mirror, out of the wiper-swept driver view.
- Low on the dash, below the sweep of the wipers, where it does not block the road.
- Away from the camera and sensor housing behind the mirror.
- Not hanging from the rearview mirror, where it swings into the view.
Hanging things from the rearview mirror
Objects hanging from the rearview mirror — parking permits, air fresheners, or decorations — can swing into the driver’s view and count as an obstruction. Keep the mirror clear, and move permits to the lower corner of the windshield.
More questions about mounting on a windshield
Is it illegal to have a phone mount on the windshield?
It can be, if the mount sits in the wiper-swept area the driver looks through. Place it high behind the mirror or low on the dash, out of the direct view. The specifics vary by state, so check the state rules.
Are dash cams legal?
Yes, as long as the camera does not obstruct the driver’s view. Mount it high behind the rearview mirror or low on the dash, clear of the wiper-swept area.
Can you hang things from your rearview mirror?
Objects that swing into the driver’s view can count as an obstruction. Keep the mirror clear and move permits to a lower corner of the windshield.
Related guides
More in Safety and the law
- Is it safe to drive with a cracked windshield?
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- 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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