Mississippi Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

Mississippi's windshield mounting laws are governed primarily by Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59, which addresses what materials and objects may be placed on vehicle windows. Unlike some states that have enacted detailed hands-free driving laws with explicit rules for device mounts, Mississippi takes a broader approach. The state prohibits anything on the windshield that obstructs the driver's view, without specifically naming GPS units, phones, or dashcams.

This guide covers the relevant statutes, penalties, tinting rules, and practical steps for staying compliant when mounting a device to your windshield in Mississippi.

Mississippi Windshield Obstruction Law (Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59)

The core provision of Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59 states that no person shall drive any motor vehicle registered in Mississippi on public roads with "any sign or poster, or with any glazing material which causes a mirrored effect" on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows.

The only items allowed on the windshield are certificates or papers "required or authorized to be so displayed by law." This includes registration stickers, tint compliance labels, and similar government-mandated displays.

This statute does not explicitly mention GPS units, phone holders, dashcams, or suction cup mounts. However, law enforcement may cite a driver under this statute or the general equipment violation statute (Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-7) if a windshield-mounted device obstructs the driver's clear view of the road.

What the Law Covers

The prohibition in Section 63-7-59 applies to:

• Signs and posters of any kind on the windshield
• Glazing material that creates a mirrored or reflective effect
• Any nontransparent material that blocks the driver's view
• Unauthorized stickers, decals, or papers

The prohibition does not specifically list electronic devices. This means GPS mounts, phone holders, and dashcams fall into a gray area. They are not expressly prohibited, but they are not expressly permitted either. The practical standard is that the device must not obstruct the driver's forward visibility.

GPS and Phone Mounts in Mississippi

Mississippi does not have a law that explicitly allows or prohibits mounting a GPS unit or phone on the windshield. The state has no hands-free driving law requiring devices to be mounted for use.

Because the windshield obstruction statute focuses on "signs, posters, and glazing material," small electronic mounts are generally tolerated as long as they do not block the driver's line of sight. Law enforcement officers have discretion to determine whether a particular mount creates an unsafe obstruction.

Best Practices for Mounting Devices

To reduce the risk of a citation and maintain safe visibility:

• Use a dashboard mount instead of a windshield mount. This avoids any potential conflict with 63-7-59 entirely.
• If using a windshield mount, place it in the lower corner of the windshield on the passenger side, away from your direct line of sight.
• Keep the device as small as possible. A compact phone holder or GPS unit is less likely to be considered an obstruction than a large tablet mount.
• Never mount a device directly in front of the driver's face. This is the most common reason for obstruction citations.
• Ensure the mount does not interfere with windshield wipers or other safety equipment.

Dashcam Rules in Mississippi

Dashcams are legal in Mississippi. The state has no statute that specifically prohibits dashboard cameras. However, the same principles from the windshield obstruction law apply. A dashcam must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.

The recommended placement for a dashcam is behind the rearview mirror, where it has a clear view of the road but does not block the driver's sightline. Dashboard-mounted cameras avoid windshield law concerns entirely.

Mississippi is a one-party consent state for audio recording, which means you can legally record audio inside your own vehicle without notifying passengers. This is relevant for dashcams that capture audio along with video.

Texting and Phone Use While Driving

Mississippi's distracted driving law is found in Miss. Code Ann. 63-33-1. This statute prohibits writing, sending, or reading text messages and accessing social networking sites using a handheld mobile telephone while operating a moving vehicle.

What Is Prohibited

Under Section 63-33-1, drivers may not:

• Write, send, or read text messages while driving
• Send or read instant messages or emails while driving
• Access, read, or post to social networking sites while driving

These prohibitions apply only when using a "hand-held mobile telephone," which the statute defines as a device "with which a user engages in a call or writes, sends or reads a text message using at least one hand."

What Is Allowed

The statute specifically excludes:

• Voice-operated or hands-free devices. A phone mounted on the dashboard or windshield and operated by voice commands is not considered "hand-held" under the law.
• Emergency, traffic, or weather alerts. Reading these notifications while driving is permitted.
• Messages related to vehicle navigation. Using a GPS app for turn-by-turn directions is allowed.
• Handheld phone calls. Mississippi does not prohibit talking on a handheld phone for most adult drivers.

Penalties for Texting While Driving

A violation of the texting ban is a civil violation (not a criminal offense) with the following penalties:

Violation Period	Fine
Before July 1, 2016	$25
After July 1, 2016	$100

No state assessments are imposed on top of the fine. This is a primary enforcement law, meaning an officer can pull you over solely for texting while driving.

Young Drivers and Bus Operators

Under Miss. Code Ann. 63-1-73, drivers with an intermediate license or learner's permit face stricter rules. These drivers may not use any wireless communication device to send or receive written messages while the vehicle is in motion. Violations are a misdemeanor with fines up to $500, or up to $1,000 if the violation occurs during an accident.

Bus operators transporting minors are also prohibited from using wireless devices while driving.

Windshield Tinting Laws

Mississippi regulates window tinting under the same statute, Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59. The rules for tinting are separate from the mounting restrictions but are important for overall windshield compliance.

Tinting Rules by Window

Window	Requirement
Windshield	Non-reflective tint allowed only above the manufacturer's AS-1 line
Front side windows	Must allow at least 28% light transmittance
Back side windows (sedan)	Must allow at least 28% light transmittance
Back side windows (SUV/van)	Any darkness permitted
Rear window (sedan)	Must allow at least 28% light transmittance
Rear window (SUV/van)	Any darkness permitted

Reflectivity Limits

Front and back side windows must not exceed 20% reflectivity. Mirrored or highly reflective glazing materials are prohibited on all windows, including the windshield.

Certification Label Requirement

After having aftermarket tint applied, the vehicle must be inspected at a Mississippi DPS-certified tint inspection station. The inspection station tests light transmittance and, if the vehicle passes, affixes a small pressure-sensitive label to the lower left corner of the windshield. This label certifies that all tinted windows meet the 28% minimum transmittance requirement.

The inspection fee is $5.00, of which the station keeps $2.00 and remits $3.00 to the Department of Public Safety.

Medical Exemptions

Mississippi allows a medical exemption for individuals diagnosed by a licensed physician as having a condition seriously aggravated by exposure to sunlight. Qualifying drivers may apply darker tint than normally permitted, but they must display a certificate of medical exemption on the vehicle dashboard. The certificate form is prepared by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

Windshield Wiper Requirements

Section 63-7-59 also requires every motor vehicle to have a windshield wiper device for clearing rain, snow, or other moisture. The device must be constructed so that the driver can control and operate it from inside the vehicle. Driving without functioning windshield wipers is a separate equipment violation.

Penalties for Windshield Violations

Violations of the windshield obstruction law fall under the general equipment violation penalties in Miss. Code Ann. 63-9-11.

Offense	Maximum Fine	Maximum Jail Time
1st offense (within 1 year)	$100	10 days
2nd offense (within 1 year)	$200	20 days
3rd+ offense (within 1 year)	$500	6 months

These violations are classified as misdemeanors under Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-7.

Enforcement

Windshield and window violations under Section 63-7-59 are enforced by law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and by municipal law enforcement officers in municipalities with a population of 2,000 or more. This means smaller towns and rural areas may have limited direct enforcement of windshield equipment violations, though state highway patrol officers retain jurisdiction statewide.

Traffic Safety Course Option

A driver charged with a misdemeanor equipment violation may be eligible for a traffic safety course in lieu of the standard penalty. The court may defer sentencing for 90 days to allow the defendant to complete at least four hours of a court-approved traffic safety course at the defendant's own expense. This option is not available to holders of a commercial driver's license.

Vehicle Inspection Requirements

Mississippi does not require a general vehicle safety inspection or emissions test for passenger vehicles. The state previously operated a vehicle inspection program, but it has been discontinued. The only windshield-related inspection currently required is the tint compliance inspection described above, which applies only to vehicles with aftermarket window tinting.

This means Mississippi does not require an inspection sticker on the windshield for registration purposes.

Exemptions and Allowed Windshield Items

Item	Allowed on Windshield?	Authority
Certificates or papers required by law	Yes	63-7-59
Tint compliance label (lower left corner)	Yes	63-7-59
Medical exemption certificate (dashboard)	Yes	63-7-59
Factory-installed tinting	Yes	63-7-59
Tint above AS-1 line (non-reflective)	Yes	63-7-59
Signs, posters, advertisements	No	63-7-59
Mirrored glazing material	No	63-7-59
GPS/phone mount (if view not obstructed)	Not specifically addressed	General view obstruction standard
Dashcam (if view not obstructed)	Not specifically addressed	General view obstruction standard

Comparison With Neighboring States

Mississippi's approach to windshield mounting is less prescriptive than several of its neighbors. Alabama, for example, enacted a hands-free law in 2024 that explicitly allows devices mounted on the windshield, dashboard, or center console for hands-free use. Louisiana and Tennessee have also adopted specific hands-free statutes.

Mississippi currently relies on its general windshield obstruction law and the texting ban rather than a comprehensive hands-free framework. Drivers crossing state lines should be aware that the rules for windshield-mounted devices vary significantly by state.

More Mississippi Laws

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• Mississippi Lemon Law
• Mississippi Hit and Run Laws
• Mississippi Car Seat Laws