If you want to drive a car or truck on any Australian road, you must ensure that it is safe and fit for the purpose. The relevant State government will have a keen interest in your vehicle and has laid down rules that govern how often they may need to inspect it. This is known as a "rego" inspection in popular parlance, and such a check will cover dozens of individual parts. If you have a rego in the near future, you may be worried if it'll pass and have particular concerns about its windscreen. What do you need to know about the test insofar as it relates to windscreens and glazing?
Dealing with Windscreen Quality and Potential Damage
If you use your vehicle a lot, don't be surprised if you pick up damage to your windscreen. There are so many vehicles on the road and so much pollution that it's quite easy for a stone to be flicked up by a passing vehicle with annoying consequences.
The government inspectors understand this and will exercise a certain amount of leeway. However, they'll want to ensure that you can still see and be safe and that any repairs have been performed satisfactorily.
Safety Glass Requirement
Always remember that a windscreen must be made from safety glass, so it will not shatter into many small pieces in an accident. Further, you're not allowed to apply tinting to this windscreen if it might obscure the primary vision area.
The Primary Vision Area
When it comes to damage, inspectors are concerned about a "primary vision area." This is effectively the area immediately in front of the driver and above the steering wheel. It's where you will concentrate most of your attention when on the road.
Impairment of Vision
If any cracks, chips or scores in this area could potentially impair your vision, expect a fail. Also, if such imperfections could potentially damage the wiper blades as they pass back and forth, this could also generate a fail.
Quality of Repairs
Whenever you take your car to a contractor for glazing repairs, always ensure that they know what they're doing. After all, if the inspector deems the windscreen has not been repaired per the Australian Standards, you won't get a pass.
Other Windows
Finally, remember that the inspector will also look at the other windows. While they may not be as concerned as they would with the windscreen, an inspector will still refer to certain rules. For example, you must ensure that the driver's window can open or close without issue so that it can be used as an emergency exit.
How to Make Sure
For more information on rego inspections, contact a professional near you.
Share26 January 2023
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