Minnesota Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

Minnesota is one of a small number of states that explicitly names GPS devices, dashcams, and electronic toll transponders as permitted windshield-mounted objects. Minn. Stat. 169.71 provides a general prohibition against objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, then carves out specific exceptions for six categories of devices and equipment. Understanding these exceptions is essential for any driver who uses a navigation system, runs a dashcam, or carries a toll transponder in Minnesota.

Minnesota Windshield Obstruction Law (Minn. Stat. 169.71)

Minnesota Statutes Section 169.71, Subdivision 1 sets out the general prohibition. A person must not drive or operate a motor vehicle with any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield. The statute then lists six exceptions to that rule.

The Six Permitted Windshield-Mounted Objects

Under Minn. Stat. 169.71, Subdivision 1, Paragraph (a), Clause (2), the following items are exempt from the general prohibition:

1. Sun visors positioned within their normal operating range
2. Rearview mirrors in standard mounting positions
3. Driver feedback and safety monitoring equipment (including dashcams) when mounted immediately behind, slightly above, or slightly below the rearview mirror
4. Global positioning systems or navigation systems when mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield
5. Electronic toll collection devices (such as E-ZPass or MnPass transponders)
6. Transportation network company (TNC) identifying devices as defined in Minn. Stat. 169.58, Subdivision 5, when mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield

This enumerated list is more detailed than what most states provide. Many states use broad language about "obstructing the driver's view" without naming specific device types.

GPS and Navigation Device Rules

Minnesota law explicitly permits GPS and navigation systems on the windshield. The only placement requirement is that the device must be mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield. The statute does not define "near" in inches or centimeters, so the standard is qualitative rather than numeric.

Practical Placement Guidelines

For compliance with Minn. Stat. 169.71, GPS and navigation device users should:

• Mount the device as low on the windshield as practical
• Keep the device on the passenger side when possible to avoid obstructing the driver's direct line of sight
• Use a suction cup mount that attaches to the lower windshield area
• Make sure the device does not block the driver's view of traffic, traffic signals, or road signs

Drivers who prefer a higher mounting position should consider a dashboard mount instead, which avoids the windshield restriction entirely.

Dashcam Mounting Requirements

Minnesota is among the states that specifically addresses dashcams through the "driver feedback and safety monitoring equipment" provision. A dashcam is permitted on the windshield, but the mounting location is restricted to immediately behind, slightly above, or slightly below the rearview mirror.

This placement requirement is different from the GPS rule. While GPS devices go near the bottom of the windshield, dashcams belong near the rearview mirror. This distinction makes sense from a visibility standpoint: a dashcam behind the mirror is largely hidden from the driver's forward view while still capturing the road ahead.

What Counts as "Safety Monitoring Equipment"

The statute uses the phrase "driver feedback and safety monitoring equipment." This broad category covers:

• Forward-facing dashcams
• Cabin-facing driver monitoring cameras
• Fleet telematics devices with camera components
• Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) cameras
• Lane departure warning cameras

Any device that monitors driving behavior or records events for safety purposes falls under this exception, provided it is mounted near the rearview mirror.

Dashcam Audio Recording

Minnesota is a one-party consent state for audio recording. The driver counts as the consenting party, so recording audio inside the vehicle along with dashcam video is legal as long as the driver knows the dashcam is recording.

Electronic Toll Collection Devices

Minnesota permits electronic toll collection devices on the windshield without specifying a particular mounting location. The E-ZPass Minnesota program (formerly MnPass) provides transponder tags that are typically mounted on the inside of the windshield near the rearview mirror.

E-ZPass Tag Placement

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the E-ZPass tag should be placed horizontally on the inside of the windshield near the rearview mirror. For vehicles with metallic tint on the windshield that may interfere with signal transmission, a license plate-mounted tag is available for a one-time fee of $15.

The statutory exemption for toll transponders predates Minnesota's E-ZPass adoption. It was originally added to accommodate drivers using toll systems in other states.

Rideshare (TNC) Identifying Devices

Minn. Stat. 169.58, Subdivision 5 defines the requirements for transportation network company identifying devices. Drivers for services like Uber and Lyft may display up to two removable, interior-mounted trade dress devices on the windshield near the bottommost portion.

These devices may be illuminated with a steady beam of solid colored light when the driver is logged into the digital network. The identifying device must not display red, amber, or blue lights, must not flash or oscillate, and must not project a glaring or dazzling light.

Phone Mounts and the Hands-Free Law

Minnesota's hands-free law (Minn. Stat. 169.475), effective August 1, 2019, prohibits holding a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle. The law requires drivers to use voice-activated or hands-free mode for calls, texts, and app usage.

Where to Mount a Phone

The hands-free law makes phone mounts practically necessary, but Minn. Stat. 169.71 does not include a specific exemption for phone mounts on the windshield. A phone used as a GPS or navigation device would fall under the GPS/navigation exemption and could be mounted near the bottommost portion of the windshield.

For a phone not being used for navigation, the safest legal option is a dashboard mount, vent clip, or console mount. Windshield-mounting a phone that is not functioning as a navigation device could technically violate the general prohibition against objects suspended between the driver and the windshield.

Hands-Free Law Penalties

Offense	Fine
First hands-free violation	$50 plus court fees
Second and subsequent violations	$275 plus court fees

These penalties are separate from any windshield obstruction penalties.

Windshield Condition Requirements

Beyond mounted devices, Minn. Stat. 169.71 also regulates the physical condition of windshields.

Cracked or Discolored Windshields

Under Subdivision 1, Paragraph (a), Clause (1), a driver must not operate a vehicle with a windshield that is cracked or discolored to the extent that it limits or obstructs proper vision. There is no specific size threshold for cracks. The standard is whether the damage limits or obstructs the driver's view.

Signs, Posters, and Stickers

Subdivision 1, Paragraph (a), Clause (3) prohibits any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows. The exception is certificates or papers required by law or authorized by the state director of the Division of Emergency Management or the commissioner of public safety.

Defrosting and Defogging

Under Subdivision 3, a driver must not operate a motor vehicle with the windshield or front side windows covered with steam or frost to the extent that it prevents proper vision. The vehicle must also be equipped with a windshield wiper device that the driver can control (Subdivision 2).

Window Tinting Rules

Minn. Stat. 169.71, Subdivision 4 governs window tinting separately from windshield-mounted devices.

Tint Limits

Window	Light Transmittance	Reflectance
Windshield	No aftermarket tint allowed (except tint strip)	Must not be reflective
Front side windows	50% minimum (plus or minus 3%)	20% maximum (plus or minus 3%)
Rear side windows	50% minimum (plus or minus 3%)	20% maximum (plus or minus 3%)
Rear window	50% minimum (plus or minus 3%)	20% maximum (plus or minus 3%)

A non-reflective tint strip is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.

Medical Tint Exemption

Minnesota allows a medical exemption from tinting restrictions. A driver or passenger with a documented medical condition may use darker tinting if they carry a physician's statement or prescription in the vehicle. The medical documentation must:

• Specify whether the condition is temporary or permanent
• State the minimum percentage of light transmittance needed
• Include an expiration date no more than two years from the date of issue
• Name the make, model, and license plate of one or two vehicles that will have the tinted windows

The exemption extends to family members and personal care attendants who drive the vehicle.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Vehicle Exemptions

Minn. Stat. 169.71, Subdivision 1 provides two exemptions for official vehicles:

• Law enforcement vehicles are exempt from both the windshield obstruction rules (Clause 2) and the prohibition on signs and nontransparent materials (Clause 3)
• Authorized emergency vehicles are exempt from the windshield obstruction rules (Clause 2) only

These exemptions allow police vehicles to mount equipment such as radar units, laptop computers, and camera systems on or near the windshield without violating the statute.

Penalties for Windshield Violations

Violations of Minn. Stat. 169.71 are classified as petty misdemeanors under the general penalty provisions of Minn. Stat. 169.89.

Detail	Information
Offense classification	Petty misdemeanor
Maximum fine	$300
Jail time	None (petty misdemeanors do not carry jail time)
Points on license	Not a moving violation; no points assessed
Enhancement	Can be elevated to a misdemeanor if committed in a manner that endangers a person or property, or if preceded by two or more petty misdemeanor convictions in the prior 12 months

The actual fine amount for a specific windshield violation is set by the Statewide Payables List maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Council. The payable amount is typically less than the $300 statutory maximum.

Fix-It Ticket Possibility

For windshield condition violations (cracks, frost, broken wipers), officers may issue a fix-it or equipment repair order rather than a citation. Correcting the issue within the timeframe specified by the officer typically satisfies the order without a fine.

2025 Legislative Update

The Minnesota Legislature amended Minn. Stat. 169.71 in 2025 through Chapter 5, Section 1. The amendment updated the language regarding windshield visibility standards. Operators must not drive vehicles where the operator's clear view through the windshield, or a side window on either side of the driver's seat, is materially obstructed or substantially reduced in a manner that poses a hazard to safe operation. The amendment defines safe operation as including the ability to readily identify the roadway, traffic-control devices, vehicles in motion, and vulnerable road users.

The amendment also added a requirement that operators must use windshield wipers when precipitation or other substance on the outside of the windshield materially obstructs or substantially reduces visibility.

The core device-mounting exemptions in Subdivision 1, Clause (2) were not changed by this amendment.

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