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.