Is it legal in California to drive with windshield down?

I noticed a guy driving a cj5 like my own with the windsheild downs actually it looked like it was off of the jeep. Is it legal in california to drive this way? anyone happen to no cuz id like to do it.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Ca Vehicle code says you have to have one but not sure you need to have it "up". I would certainly think you could not drive with it down. I have a CHP friend and will try to find out.

Windshields: Exception
26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an adequate windshield.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any vehicle issued identification plates pursuant to Section 5004 which was not required to be equipped with a windshield at the time it was first sold or registered under the laws of this state, another state, or foreign jurisdiction.

Amended Ch. 222, Stats. 1983. Effective January 1, 1984.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Thanks man let me no wat you find out for sure!

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Really doesn't say you can't have it down.

In Nevada when I was stationed there back in the early '70's we were told as long as we were wearing eye protection we didn't need the windshield up.

The law back then also stated you had to have windshield wipers (operating, of course) but you didn't have to have a windshield under them. R)
As long as you were wearing protective goggles or some such thing.
This all surely has to have changed by now!

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

In Ma. windshield down your required to wear eye protection.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Az requires windshields. State Statute 28-957.01 Think I will look into the whole up or down thing just for fun.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Seems like more freedom than California would be willing to tolerate. Unless they come up with a folded-windshield tax my bet is it's not allowed.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Pa requires eye protection and a roll cage.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

That'd be funny if it were not some waht true and possible. R)

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

I did call a couple of years ago, to the NM state police. My Toyota Camry had its windshield broken out and I wanted to know if it was legal to drive it to the body shop for repairs. "No problem", I was told. It was a pretty cold ride, but I had no problems.

Of course, this is NM and they are usually just one step up from the bottom of any list you care to look at.

John

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

VA your ok with DOT approved Eye protection.

Funny thing in Va is Im more legal with it down instead of up , law states if you have a windshield you must have working defrost , I keep a rag in the console R).

BTW I drive windshield down 90% of the time.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

Quote" I've never understood how driving with w/s either down or off but with eye protection is any different than driving a motorcycle."


Here in NH I drive with windshield down, using eyeprotection, no problems.

But I've always kind of wondered if I could get hassled for the inspection sticker (on the glass) not being visible, if a cop was having a bad day.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

I drive my cj2a with the windsheild down most of the summer and have never been stopped or questioned, been doing it for years - Vacaville CA

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

I'm from Paradise, CA. I asked a town cop today about this, and he says they have better things to do than to stop otherwise law abiding jeeps drivers for having the windshield down, and he'd have to research the law to write the ticket anyway. His opinion was if it was built to fold down, OK, you still have a windshield.

 

Re: Is it legal in California to drive with windsheild down?

So I talked to my Dad's neighbor who is a CHP last night. According to him, every vehicle on a highway (paved road, including city streets) in the state of Ca. must have an operating windshield to protect the driver. It must be "up". He also went on to say that attitude is 99% of how he would react and location has a lot to do with it. He would either warn me or write me up in the greater Bay Area but is soon moving to Lake Almanor. If he saw you up there and you gave a friendly wave he would let it go.

 

Every motor cycle sold in california has a wind shield? I dont think so,
that CHP is out to lunch!

 

Guess I should have clarified in my response....he did know the vehicle code found at the beginning of the thread (see below).

Windshields: Exception
26700. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a passenger vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every bus, motortruck or truck tractor, and every firetruck, fire engine or other fire apparatus, whether publicly or privately owned, shall be equipped with an adequate windshield

 

"...equipped..." Doesn't say it has to be 'up,' if it's equipped with a hinge....