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Is It Legal to Drive with Snow on Your Car?

Reading time 4 minutes • Last updated on February 16th, 2024

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Is It Legal to Drive with Snow on Your Car?

Last updated on February 16th, 2024What does this mean?

car covered in snow

As we progress into winter, the possibility of waking up and seeing your car covered in thick snow starts to increase. While it might still be unlikely that you’ll fall victim to a blizzard, it’s important to know what the rules are when it comes to driving after heavy snowfall. In this article, The Windscreen Company will tell you all you need to know about driving with snow on your car.

Is It Legal to Drive with Snow on the Car?

car covered in snow with clear windscreen

By the letter of the law, you are allowed to drive with snow on your car. Or, rather there is no specific law that deems it illegal to do so. However, there is one key stipulation for this: you must be able to see out of all glass panels on your vehicle. If your windscreen, windows or rear windscreen are blocked by snow, you must remove said snow before driving.

Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states it is a legal requirement to have a clear view of the road before you set off on any journey – if you don’t comply with this law, you could face a fine. More importantly, though, it’s very unsafe and you could be putting lives at risk. 

Is it Legal to Drive with Snow on My Roof?

cars with snow on the roofs

It isn’t illegal to drive with snow on your roof, but if that snow falls onto your windscreen or begins to obscure any of the glass panels of the vehicle, then you could be penalised. Driving with snow obscuring your view can be classed as ‘driving without due consideration’ or ‘using a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition’.

Can I Be Fined for Driving With an Icy Windscreen?

car with an icy windscreen

You can be fined for driving with an icy windscreen. We’ve covered this in detail in a previous blog post, including the ways you can keep your windscreen ice-free. Click here to read more about driving with an icy windscreen and how to avoid it.

Tips for Driving in Icy and Snowy Conditions

Even for the most experienced drivers, driving in icy and snowy weather can be daunting and dangerous, so we’ve compiled a few tips to ensure you can be as safe as possible when you’re on the road.

Tyres

  • Make sure your tyres have enough tread to cope with the icy/snowy roads. Your tyres should have at least 3mm of tread depth. 
  • You should not use tyre chains unless there’s enough snow on the road to prevent the chains damaging the surface.

Braking

  • Slowing down will obviously take much longer when driving on snow and ice – 10 times longer in fact – so allow more room between your car and the vehicle in front. 
  • Don’t brake too harshly, as this is more likely to cause your wheels to lock up.

Driving

Avoid any harsh turns or manoeuvres, and try and pull away in second gear if possible. This will help you avoid spinning your wheels. 

Journey prep

  • Allow extra time for your journey to account for slower traffic and generally more cautious driving. 
  • Make sure you have a good amount of fuel in the tank. If you have a journey planned and you know a cold snap is coming, fill up the day before to accommodate for any unexpected delays or diversions. 
  • De-ice and demist your windscreen before setting off. Remove any snow from your roof to ensure it doesn’t fall down and obscure your view. 
  • Clear snow from your lights, too. 

It’s not illegal to drive with snow on your car, but you can stray into illegal territory if you don’t remove snow from your roof before driving. Driving in snow and ice presents a number of hazards and risks, but you can take plenty of steps to accommodate them and ensure you can enjoy a safe winter drive. 

Whether it’s the height of summer or the middle of winter, you can rely on The Windscreen Company to windscreen repair and replace your windscreen swiftly, carefully and efficiently whenever you need us. With a 24/7 mobile service available, we can come to you wherever you are in Ipswich, Essex and the surrounding areas. For more information, contact our friendly team today.

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The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.

The information within this article was accurate on the date the article was last updated based on the information that was openly available on the topic online. The Windscreen Company accepts no liability for any loss or damage caused by or connected with any error or omission in this article. You should make your own judgement in regards to use of this document and seek professional advice on your particular circumstances.

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