New Jersey Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
New Jersey has some of the most restrictive windshield mounting laws in the United States. The state broadly prohibits any non-transparent material on the front windshield and front side windows, making it one of a handful of states where mounting a GPS, phone holder, or other device on the windshield can result in a ticket.
The primary statute governing windshield obstructions is N.J.S.A. 39:3-74, which has remained largely unchanged for decades. Understanding how this law applies to modern devices like GPS units, dashcams, and smartphone holders requires examining both the statute and the related window tinting regulations.
The Core Statute: N.J.S.A. 39:3-74
N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 is titled "Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with cleaners." The statute contains three key prohibitions:
Windshield cleaners required. Every motor vehicle with a windshield must have at least one working device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield to provide clear vision for the driver.
Non-transparent materials banned. No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, sticker, or other non-transparent material on the front windshield, wings, deflectors, side shields, corner lights adjoining the windshield, or front side windows. The only exception is for certificates or articles required to be displayed by statute or by regulations of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
Obstruction of view prohibited. No person shall drive any vehicle so constructed, equipped, or loaded as to unduly interfere with the driver's vision to the front and to the sides.
The broad language of this statute is what makes New Jersey so restrictive. A GPS unit, phone mount, or suction cup holder qualifies as a "non-transparent material" on the windshield, which the statute explicitly prohibits.
GPS and Phone Mounts
Under a strict reading of N.J.S.A. 39:3-74, mounting a GPS device or smartphone holder on the windshield is illegal in New Jersey. The statute does not make exceptions for navigation devices or hands-free phone holders.
This puts New Jersey at odds with practical reality. Millions of drivers use GPS navigation and need to mount their devices somewhere visible. There have been multiple legislative efforts to change this law, including bills that would explicitly permit GPS equipment, smartphone holders, and similar devices on the windshield, dashboard, or console as long as they do not interfere with the driver's vision.
However, as of 2026, the core statute remains unchanged. No amendment has been signed into law that creates an explicit exception for GPS or phone mounts on the windshield.
Enforcement Reality
While the law technically prohibits all windshield-mounted devices, enforcement varies. Police officers generally focus on situations where a mounted device clearly obstructs the driver's view. A small GPS unit mounted near the bottom corner of the windshield is less likely to attract a ticket than a large tablet blocking a significant portion of the windshield.
That said, any windshield-mounted device gives an officer a legal basis for a traffic stop. This is important to understand: even if the device does not meaningfully obstruct your view, the statute makes it a violation to have any non-transparent material on the windshield.
Safer Alternatives
To avoid potential tickets, New Jersey drivers should consider mounting GPS units and phone holders on the dashboard, the center console, or an air vent clip rather than on the windshield. These placements comply with N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 because they do not involve attaching anything to the windshield glass.
Dashcam Rules
New Jersey does not have a specific statute addressing dashcams or video event recorders. A dashcam is treated the same as any other windshield-mounted device under N.J.S.A. 39:3-74.
The safest placement for a dashcam in New Jersey is directly behind the rearview mirror. This location generally does not add to the existing obstruction created by the mirror itself and is widely considered the most compliant mounting position in restrictive states.
Mounting a dashcam elsewhere on the windshield, such as in the lower corner, technically violates the statute, although enforcement against discreet dashcam placements is uncommon.
Audio Recording Considerations
New Jersey is a one-party consent state for audio recording. This means you can legally record conversations in your vehicle with a dashcam that captures audio, as long as you are a party to the conversation. You do not need to inform passengers that audio is being recorded, although doing so is considered a best practice.
Toll Transponders and E-ZPass
E-ZPass and other toll transponders are among the few devices explicitly permitted on New Jersey windshields. These fall under the exception in N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 for "certificates or other articles required to be so displayed by statute or by regulations of the commissioner." The New Jersey Turnpike Authority requires proper E-ZPass placement on the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
Windshield Tinting Laws
New Jersey regulates window tinting separately from windshield obstructions. The tinting rules fall under N.J.S.A. 39:3-75 and related statutes.
Windshield Tinting
Tinting the windshield is prohibited in New Jersey except for the top 6 inches of the windshield or above the manufacturer's AS-1 line. This strip is sometimes called a "sun visor band" or "eyebrow." Any tinting below the AS-1 line on the windshield is illegal.
Factory-applied tinting by the vehicle manufacturer is permitted if it allows at least 70% visible light transmittance (VLT).
Front Side Windows
Front side windows must allow more than 70% of light to pass through. This is one of the strictest requirements in the country and effectively limits front side windows to nearly clear glass. Most aftermarket tint films reduce VLT below 70%, making them illegal on front side windows in New Jersey.
Rear Side Windows and Rear Window
New Jersey places no restrictions on tinting for rear side windows or the rear window. Drivers may apply any darkness level, including limo-style tint, to these windows without violating the law.
VLT Summary Table
| Window | Minimum VLT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | No tint allowed (except top 6 inches) | Factory tint must be 70%+ VLT |
| Front side windows | 70% VLT | Nearly clear glass required |
| Rear side windows | No restriction | Any darkness permitted |
| Rear window | No restriction | Any darkness permitted |
Window Tinting Penalties
New Jersey imposes significant fines for window tinting violations:
| Offense | Maximum Fine | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal front window tint | $100 | N.J.S.A. 39:3-75(f) |
| Violation of tinting regulations (first offense) | $1,000 | N.J.S.A. 39:3-75.3 |
| Violation of tinting regulations (second or subsequent) | $5,000 | N.J.S.A. 39:3-75.3 |
The difference in fine amounts reflects the distinction between different types of violations. A simple front-window tint violation carries a maximum $100 fine, while violations of the broader regulatory framework can result in fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses.
Medical Exemptions for Window Tinting
New Jersey provides a medical exemption process for drivers with qualifying conditions that require protection from sunlight. The exemption is authorized under N.J.S.A. 39:3-75.1 and administered by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
Qualifying Conditions
Medical conditions that may qualify for a sun-screening exemption include:
- Polymorphous light eruption
- Persistent light reactivity
- Actinic reticuloid
- Porphyria
- Solar urticaria
- Lupus erythematosus
- Other conditions involving ophthalmic or dermatological photosensitivity
Application Process
- Request the application form (MVC Sunscreening 1) by emailing SUNSCREENING@mvc.nj.gov or calling 609-984-2973
- Have a certified ophthalmologist or licensed physician complete the medical certification section
- The physician must specify the condition, recommended treatment, and the specific wavelength of light to which the patient is photosensitive
- Submit the completed form with a valid prescription to the NJ MVC Customer Advocacy Office
- If approved, you will receive a temporary 60-day approval and a Sunscreening Installation Confirmation form
- Only licensed sun-screening installers may apply the approved material
- The medical certification must be renewed every 48 months
The exemption certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Windshield Obstruction Penalties
Violations of N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 (windshield obstruction) carry a fine starting at $54. This is a non-moving violation, meaning no motor vehicle penalty points are assessed on your driving record. Court costs and other fees may increase the total amount owed.
While the fine is relatively modest, the practical consequences can extend beyond the ticket itself. A windshield obstruction citation gives law enforcement a reason to initiate a traffic stop, which can lead to the discovery of other violations.
Hands-Free Device Law
New Jersey's hands-free law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.3) requires that wireless telephones and electronic communication devices be used in hands-free mode while driving. This law intersects with windshield mounting rules in an important way.
Even though New Jersey requires hands-free phone use, the state does not provide an exemption from the windshield obstruction law for hands-free phone mounts. A phone mounted on the windshield for hands-free use technically violates N.J.S.A. 39:3-74. The hands-free law specifies that device placement must not interfere with federally required safety equipment and that the driver must exercise a high degree of caution.
Hands-Free Violation Penalties
| Offense | Fine Range | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | $200 to $400 | 0 |
| Second offense | $400 to $600 | 0 |
| Third or subsequent | $600 to $800 | 3 |
A 10-year lookback period applies. Third and subsequent offenses also carry a potential 90-day license suspension at the judge's discretion.
Inspection Considerations
New Jersey requires periodic vehicle inspections. During inspection, vehicles with illegal window tinting on front side windows may fail. If your vehicle has aftermarket tint on the windshield below the AS-1 line, or front side window tint below 70% VLT, you will need to remove it to pass inspection.
Comparison With Neighboring States
New Jersey's windshield mounting restrictions are stricter than most of its neighbors:
| State | Windshield Mounts Allowed | Front Side Window Tint |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | No (strict prohibition) | 70% VLT minimum |
| New York | Yes (specific placement rules) | 70% VLT minimum |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (not in driver's sight area) | 70% VLT minimum |
| Delaware | Yes (limited areas) | 70% VLT minimum |
| Connecticut | Yes (with restrictions) | 35% VLT minimum |
New Jersey is the only state in the Northeast with a near-total ban on windshield-mounted devices. Most neighboring states allow mounts in designated areas of the windshield as long as they do not obstruct the driver's view.
More New Jersey Laws
Sources and References
- N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 - Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with cleaners(law.justia.com)
- N.J.S.A. 39:3-75.1 - Tinting materials permitted for medical reasons(law.justia.com)
- NJ MVC - Window Sun-screening For Medical Reasons(nj.gov).gov
- NJ MVC - Sun Screening Installer Licensing(nj.gov).gov
- N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.3 - Use of wireless telephone in moving vehicles(law.justia.com)
- NJ MVC - Points Schedule(nj.gov).gov
- NJ MVC - Just Drive Campaign(nj.gov).gov