Oregon Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

Oregon law prohibits mounting any device on the windshield or front side windows that impairs visibility. Under ORS 815.220, a GPS unit, phone mount, or dashcam attached to the windshield is prohibited if it prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle, and Oregon designates no zone of the glass where a device is automatically allowed. Dashboard and vent mounts avoid the question entirely.

Oregon takes a strict approach to windshield visibility. Under ORS 815.220, the state uses a general obstruction standard that prohibits any material on the windshield or forward side windows that prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle. Unlike some states that carve out specific size exceptions for mounted devices, Oregon does not provide a designated zone on the windshield where drivers may attach GPS units, phones, or dashcams.

This guide covers the statutes that govern what you can and cannot place on your windshield in Oregon, the penalties for violations, the exemptions that apply, and how the state's hands-free driving law interacts with windshield mounting rules.

Oregon Windshield Obstruction Law (ORS 815.220)

ORS 815.220 is the primary statute governing windshield obstructions in Oregon. A person commits the offense of obstruction of vehicle windows if they drive or move a vehicle on any highway, or own and knowingly permit a vehicle to be driven on any highway, with windows obstructed in a manner the statute prohibits.

What Counts as an Obstruction

The statute defines a prohibited obstruction as any material that "prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle." This includes:

• Signs and posters
• One-way glass
• Adhesive film
• Glaze applications
• Any other material that blocks visibility

The language "any other material" is broad. A suction cup phone mount, a GPS device, or a dashcam is material upon the windshield and falls within it if the item prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle.

Note the limit in the statutory text: subsection (2) reaches only material that "is upon" one of the covered windows. Oregon has no separate provision covering objects that hang from the rearview mirror.

Which Windows Are Covered

ORS 815.220 applies to three sets of windows:

• The front windshield
• The side-wings (the small triangular windows on older vehicles)
• The side windows on either side forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat

Rear windows and rear side windows behind the driver's seat are not covered by this statute.

Penalty for Windshield Obstruction

Obstruction of vehicle windows under ORS 815.220 is a Class D traffic violation. Under ORS 153.018, the maximum fine for a Class D violation is $250. The presumptive fine (the standard amount a court imposes) is approximately $115.

GPS and Phone Mounts on the Windshield

Oregon does not have a specific statute that addresses GPS or phone mounts by name. Instead, these devices fall under the general obstruction standard in ORS 815.220. Because the law prohibits "any material" that impairs visibility through the windshield or front side windows, a GPS unit or phone mounted on the windshield is subject to enforcement.

There is no safe zone on the windshield in Oregon. Some states allow devices within a certain number of inches from the bottom or in a corner of the windshield. Oregon has no such provision. Any device placed on the windshield that an officer determines impairs visibility can result in a citation.

Legal Alternatives for Mounting Devices

The safest and most legally defensible options for mounting a GPS or phone in Oregon include:

• Dashboard mounts that attach to the top of the dash using adhesive or friction pads
• Vent clip mounts that attach to the vehicle's air vents
• CD slot mounts that slide into an unused CD player slot
• Cup holder mounts for larger devices
• Magnetic mounts attached to the dashboard surface

These alternatives keep the device within the driver's line of sight without placing any material on the windshield itself.

Dashcam Rules in Oregon

Oregon does not have a specific dashcam statute. A dashcam is treated the same as any other device under the general obstruction law. Mounting a dashcam directly on the windshield creates legal risk under ORS 815.220 because the camera housing is material placed upon the windshield, which the statute prohibits where it prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle.

The most legally secure placement for a dashcam in Oregon is on the dashboard, positioned to record through the windshield without being attached to the glass. Some drivers mount small dashcams behind the rearview mirror to minimize obstruction. Attachment alone is not the test: the device is still material upon the windshield, but ORS 815.220(2) is violated only if it prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle, which is a judgment an officer makes at the roadside and a court reviews.

Navigation Display Exemption (ORS 815.240)

ORS 815.240 addresses the use of image display devices in vehicles. A person commits the offense of unlawful use of an image display device if they drive a vehicle equipped with a device displaying a broadcast television image, DVD image, or video that is visible to the driver.

What Is Exempt

ORS 815.240 specifically exempts image display devices used for navigation purposes. This means a GPS screen or navigation app displaying a map is permitted while driving. The exemption applies to:

• Built-in vehicle navigation systems
• Standalone GPS units displaying maps or directions
• Phone apps showing navigation (Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, etc.)

Important Distinction

The navigation exemption in ORS 815.240 allows the display of navigation images. It does not override ORS 815.220, which prohibits placing materials on the windshield. A driver may legally use a navigation display, but the device showing that display still cannot be mounted on the windshield. The device must be mounted on the dashboard, a vent, or another location that does not obstruct the windshield.

The penalty for unlawful use of an image display device is a Class B traffic violation, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000 under ORS 153.018.

Oregon Hands-Free Law (ORS 811.507)

ORS 811.507 is Oregon's hands-free driving law, enacted through House Bill 2597 in 2017 and strengthened by House Bill 4116 in 2018. This law directly affects how drivers interact with mounted devices.

What the Law Prohibits

ORS 811.507 makes it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle while holding or using a mobile electronic device. "Mobile electronic device" includes cell phones, tablets, laptops, GPS devices, and pagers. The law is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull you over solely for holding a device.

Hands-Free Exception

Drivers 18 years of age or older may use a hands-free accessory. A "hands-free accessory" is defined as an attachment, built-in feature, or addition to a mobile device that allows the driver to keep both hands on the steering wheel. This includes:

• Bluetooth connections
• Voice-activated controls
• Mounted devices operated by voice command
• Built-in vehicle infotainment systems

Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any mobile electronic device while driving, including hands-free devices.

Other Exceptions

ORS 811.507 includes additional exceptions for:

• A person summoning medical or emergency help when no one else in the vehicle can do so
• A person operating an ambulance or emergency vehicle
• A person acting in the scope of employment as a public safety officer

Penalty Structure

The penalties for violating ORS 811.507 escalate significantly with repeat offenses within a 10-year period:

For a first conviction, the court may suspend the fine if the driver completes an approved distracted driving avoidance course within 120 days of sentencing. The course must be at least 90 minutes long and the participant must score at least 80% to pass. The course can be completed in a classroom or online.

A third or subsequent conviction is a Class B misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense rather than a traffic violation. The court must impose a minimum fine of $2,000 (the Class B misdemeanor ceiling is $2,500 under ORS 161.635), a first offense that contributes to a crash escalates to a Class A violation, and the conviction creates a criminal record.

Window Tinting Laws (ORS 815.221 and ORS 815.222)

Oregon's window tinting laws interact with the windshield mounting rules because both regulate what can be applied to vehicle windows.

Permitted Tinting

Under ORS 815.221, tinting material may be applied to side and rear windows if it meets these standards:

• Light transmittance of 50% or more for the tinting material itself
• Light reflectance of 13% or less
• Total light transmittance through the window (glass plus tint) of 35% or more

For the windshield, tinting is only permitted on the top six inches. No tinting material may be applied to any other portion of the windshield.

Medical Exemption

Oregon allows a medical exemption for darker tinting on the side and rear windows only. Under ORS 815.221(5), a validly licensed physician or optometrist must sign an affidavit, a prescription, or a letter on the practitioner's letterhead stating that the registered owner or another person in that person's household has a physical condition requiring the darker tint. The document must be kept in the vehicle and shown to an officer who asks about the tint.

The medical exemption does not reach the windshield. ORS 815.221(3) caps windshield tinting at the top six inches and bars tinting material on any other portion of the windshield, with no medical override.

Tinting Violations

Under ORS 815.222, illegal window tinting is a Class B traffic violation with a maximum fine of $1,000. The violation applies both to applying non-compliant tinting and to operating a vehicle with illegal tinting.

Exemptions from Windshield Obstruction Rules

ORS 815.220 includes specific exemptions for:

That is the whole list. The exemptions do not extend to GPS units, phone mounts, dashcams, or other aftermarket devices, and the medical tinting exemption in ORS 815.221(5) is not among them: it applies to the side and rear windows, not the windshield.

How Oregon Compares to Neighboring States

California is the outlier among Oregon's neighbors, not Oregon. California Vehicle Code 26708(b) expressly allows a portable GPS in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest from the driver or in a five-inch square in the lower corner nearest the driver, and allows a video event recorder in either of those squares or in a five-inch square at the center uppermost portion of the windshield. Oregon has no comparable designated square.

Washington and Idaho are closer to Oregon than California is. RCW 46.37.410(2) and Idaho Code 49-943 each bar driving with a sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs the driver's clear view, and neither carves out a zone or a size. Oregon's text is worded more broadly than either: ORS 815.220(2) reaches any material that prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle, not only nontransparent material.

Practical Tips for Oregon Drivers

Following these guidelines will help you stay compliant with Oregon windshield laws:

1. Use a dashboard mount for your phone or GPS. Adhesive and friction mounts designed for dashboards are widely available and keep your windshield clear.

2. Choose a low-profile dashcam and mount it on the dashboard rather than the windshield. Several models come with dashboard-specific mounting hardware.

3. Keep the windshield clean and clear of stickers, decals, and other material that is not required by law. ORS 815.220 reaches material upon the glass itself; Oregon has no separate statute on objects hanging from the mirror.

4. Use hands-free features when interacting with any mounted device. Even if your phone is legally mounted on the dashboard, holding it while driving violates ORS 811.507.

5. Drivers under 18 should not interact with any electronic device while driving, even through hands-free systems.

6. Check your window tinting if you have aftermarket tint. The top six inches of the windshield is the only permitted zone, and side windows must allow at least 35% total light transmittance.

More Oregon Laws

• Oregon Recording Laws
• Oregon Lemon Law
• Oregon Dog Bite Laws
• Oregon Hit and Run Laws
• Oregon Car Seat Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mount a GPS or phone on my windshield in Oregon?

No. Under ORS 815.220, Oregon prohibits placing any material on the windshield that prevents or impairs the ability to see into or out of the vehicle. There is no designated zone or size exception for GPS or phone mounts. The recommended alternative is a dashboard mount, vent clip mount, or other non-windshield mounting solution.

Is it legal to use a dashcam in Oregon?

Dashcams are legal to use in Oregon, but mounting one on the windshield creates legal risk under ORS 815.220. The safest placement is on the dashboard, positioned to record through the windshield without being attached to the glass. Oregon does not have a specific dashcam statute, so the general obstruction law applies.

What are the penalties for distracted driving in Oregon?

A first offense under ORS 811.507 is a Class B traffic violation with a presumptive fine of approximately $265 and a maximum of $1,000. A second offense within 10 years is a Class A traffic violation with a maximum fine of $2,000. A third or subsequent offense within 10 years is a Class B misdemeanor carrying a minimum fine of $2,000 and a criminal record.

Does Oregon allow medical exemptions for darker windshield tinting?

Oregon allows medical exemptions for darker tinting on side and rear windows under ORS 815.221. A physician or optometrist must provide signed documentation of a qualifying physical condition. The documentation must be carried in the vehicle. However, the windshield itself may only have tinting on the top six inches regardless of medical need.

Can drivers under 18 use hands-free devices in Oregon?

No. Under ORS 811.507, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any mobile electronic device while driving, including hands-free devices. This is stricter than the rule for adult drivers, who may use hands-free accessories while keeping both hands on the steering wheel.