What is the penalty for driving with a cracked windshield?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
It depends on the state. In Michigan a cracked windshield that obstructs vision can draw a civil infraction under the defective-equipment statute; in Indiana it is a Class C infraction; in Illinois it is a violation of the defective-glass section. The dollar amounts are set by the court or schedule, so check the citation itself rather than expecting a fixed figure.
How each state classifies the offense
| State | Classification | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Civil infraction | MCL 257.683 defective equipment, or MCL 257.709 obstructed vision |
| Indiana | Class C infraction | Indiana Code 9-19-19, obstructed clear view |
| Illinois | Violation of the section | 625 ILCS 5/12-503(e), defective glass impairing the view |
No dollar amount appears in the statutes themselves; fines are set by the court or schedule.
Check the citation for the amount
Because fines are set by the court or schedule rather than by the statute, the citation itself is the document that states what you owe and when. This page describes the classification in plain language; it is not legal advice.
Why no fixed dollar figure appears here
The statutes set the classification — civil infraction, Class C infraction, violation of the section — but they do not print a fine amount. Dollar figures are set by the court, by a local schedule, or by the citation itself, and they vary by jurisdiction and by how the matter is resolved.
For that reason, no specific fine is listed on this page. The reliable source for what a particular ticket costs is the citation, which states the amount and the process for addressing it. Reading the citation also tells you whether repairing the glass before a deadline affects the outcome.
What is consistent across the three states is the classification: a cracked windshield that obstructs or impairs the view is an equipment or condition matter, not a moving violation. The penalty follows that classification, and the glass condition is what the officer weighed at the stop.
The reason the statutes stay silent on dollar amounts is that fines are administered locally. A civil infraction in one Michigan jurisdiction may carry a different figure than the same infraction in another, and Indiana and Illinois handle their schedules the same way. The citation itself is the document that ties a specific amount to a specific case, and it also states the deadline and the process — whether repairing the glass before a court date affects the outcome, and whether the matter can be resolved by mail or online.
More questions about cracked windshield penalties
How much is a cracked windshield ticket?
The statutes do not state a dollar amount. Fines are set by the court or a local schedule, so the citation itself is the source for what you owe and when.
Is a cracked windshield a civil infraction?
In Michigan, yes — it is a civil infraction under the defective-equipment statute. In Indiana it is a Class C infraction, and in Illinois it is a violation of the defective-glass section.
What class of offense is an obstructed windshield?
It varies by state: a civil infraction in Michigan, a Class C infraction in Indiana, and a violation of section 12-503(e) in Illinois. None is a moving violation in the way speeding is. Repairing the glass promptly is the step that keeps the classification from mattering at all.
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?
Need auto glass service?
Skyview Auto Glass has 191 shops across Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, each offering in-shop and mobile service. Call us or book a visit — same-day service is often available.