Wyoming Windshield Mounting Laws
Wyoming law restricts what drivers can mount on or attach to their windshields. The primary statute governing windshield obstructions is Wyoming Statute 31-5-955, found in Title 31, Chapter 5, Article 9 of the Wyoming Statutes. This law applies to all motor vehicles driven on public roads in Wyoming, including passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Understanding these rules is important for anyone who uses a GPS device, phone mount, or dashcam while driving in Wyoming. The law does not name specific devices but instead uses a broad standard that focuses on whether the item obstructs the driver's view.
Wyoming Windshield Obstruction Law (Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955)
Wyoming Statute 31-5-955 contains three key provisions regarding windshields.
Obstruction Prohibition
Subsection (a) states that no person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other material or substance upon or crack within the front windshield, side windows, or rear windows of the vehicle that "materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway."
The critical word in this statute is "materially." Wyoming does not impose a blanket ban on all windshield-mounted items. Instead, the law prohibits items only when they create a meaningful obstruction to the driver's ability to see the road. This gives law enforcement officers discretion in determining whether a particular device or material crosses that threshold.
Windshield Wiper Requirements
Subsection (b) requires that every motor vehicle windshield be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture. The device must be constructed so the driver can control or operate it from inside the vehicle. This subsection applies to multipurpose vehicles as defined in Wyo. Stat. 31-1-101(a)(xv)(M) when they are equipped with a windshield and an enclosed cab.
General Windshield and Wiper Maintenance
Subsection (c) requires every motor vehicle to be equipped with a windshield and a windshield wiper maintained in good working order. Cracked or damaged windshields that impair the driver's view may also violate subsection (a).
GPS and Phone Mounts
Wyoming does not have a separate statute that specifically addresses GPS units or phone mounts on windshields. These devices fall under the general obstruction prohibition in Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955(a).
A GPS unit or phone mount is permitted on the windshield as long as it does not materially obstruct the driver's clear view of the road and intersecting highways. In practice, this means the device should be positioned where it does not block a significant portion of the driver's forward or peripheral visibility.
Recommended Placement
To reduce the risk of a citation, consider these placement guidelines:
- Mount the device as low on the windshield as possible, near the dashboard
- Position it to the right of center, away from the driver's primary line of sight
- Keep the device as small and compact as practical
- Use a dashboard mount instead of a windshield suction cup mount when possible
Dashboard mounts are legal in all 50 states and eliminate any risk of a windshield obstruction citation.
Dashcam Rules in Wyoming
Wyoming does not have a specific dashcam statute. A dashcam is treated like any other windshield-mounted device under Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955. It is permitted as long as it does not materially obstruct the driver's view.
The safest placement for a dashcam is behind the rearview mirror, where it does not block any portion of the driver's forward view. Many dashcam models are designed to fit in this location.
Commercial Vehicle Dashcam Rules
Commercial motor vehicles operating in Wyoming must also comply with federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Under a 2022 final rule, the FMCSA allows vehicle safety technology devices (including dashcams) to be mounted on commercial vehicle windshields in a specific zone:
- No more than 8.5 inches below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers
- No more than 7 inches above the lower edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers
- Outside the driver's sight lines to the road, highway signs, and signals
These federal rules apply in addition to Wyoming state law for commercial vehicles.
Windshield Tinting Rules (Wyo. Stat. 31-5-962)
Wyoming Statute 31-5-962 regulates sunscreening devices and window tinting on all motor vehicles. For windshields, the rules are strict.
Windshield Tint Limits
- Tint may be applied only along the top of the windshield
- It cannot extend below the AS-1 line or more than 5 inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield
- The tint must not reduce total light transmittance below 70% in the treated area
- All windshield tint must be non-reflective
Side and Rear Window Rules
| Window Location | Minimum VLT (Light Transmittance) | Reflectance Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield (top strip only) | 70% | Non-reflective |
| Front side windows | 28% | Non-reflective |
| Rear side windows | 28% | Non-reflective |
| Rear window | 28% | Non-reflective |
If any sunscreening device or tinting film is applied to windows behind the driver, the vehicle must have one left and one right outside rearview mirror.
Medical Exemption for Window Tint
Wyoming allows a medical exemption under Wyo. Stat. 31-5-962. A person with a medical condition that makes them susceptible to harm from sunlight or bright artificial light may apply for a certificate from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The certificate requires a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist.
With the medical exemption, the vehicle may be equipped with tinting on the windshield and all windows that reduces light transmission to no less than 25% VLT. However, even with the medical exemption, windshield tint must maintain at least 70% VLT except in the top 5-inch strip or AS-1 line area.
Vehicle Exemptions for Tinting
The tinting requirements do not apply to windows behind the driver on:
- Trucks
- Buses
- Motor homes
- Ambulances
- Limousines
- Multipurpose passenger vehicles
- Windshields on motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
Windshield Cracks
Wyoming Statute 31-5-955(a) specifically mentions cracks. The law prohibits driving with any "crack within the front windshield" that materially obstructs or impairs the driver's clear view. Whether a crack is severe enough to constitute a violation is determined by the citing officer based on the crack's size, location, and impact on visibility.
Cracks in the driver's direct line of sight are most likely to result in a citation. Small chips outside the critical vision area may not rise to the level of a material obstruction, but there is no specific size threshold defined in the statute.
Stickers and Required Items
Stickers that are required by law are exempt from the windshield obstruction prohibition. These include:
- Vehicle inspection stickers (if applicable)
- Parking permits required by government entities
- Disability placards when properly displayed
Law-required stickers should be placed in the lower corners of the windshield, outside the driver's direct line of sight. Decorative stickers, bumper stickers placed on the windshield, and aftermarket sun strips that exceed the 5-inch limit are not exempt.
Wyoming Texting and Cell Phone Laws
Wyoming Statute 31-5-237 addresses electronic device use while driving. Understanding this law is relevant because it affects how drivers interact with windshield-mounted devices.
What Is Prohibited
No person may operate a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while using a handheld electronic wireless communication device to write, send, or read a text-based communication. This includes text messages, instant messages, and email.
What Is Allowed
- Making and receiving phone calls (including holding the phone)
- Using voice-operated or hands-free technology
- Using a phone to dial a number or select a contact
- Emergency responders using devices in the line of duty
Key Distinction
Wyoming does not have a comprehensive hands-free law as of 2026. Drivers may legally hold a phone for voice calls. This means a windshield-mounted phone holder is helpful but not legally required for phone calls. However, using a mount is still recommended for safety and to avoid any appearance of texting while driving.
Texting Penalty
A violation of the texting ban is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $75. This is a primary enforcement offense, meaning law enforcement can stop a driver solely for suspected texting.
Penalties for Windshield Violations
Violations of Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955 fall under the general traffic misdemeanor penalty structure in Wyo. Stat. 31-5-1201.
| Offense | Maximum Fine | Maximum Jail Time |
|---|---|---|
| First conviction | $200 | None specified |
| Second conviction within 1 year | $300 | None specified |
| Third or subsequent within 1 year | $500 | 6 months |
Every conviction also carries an additional $5 police officer continuing education and training fee, plus court costs that typically include $40 for court automation fees and $10 for indigent civil legal fees.
Window tinting violations under Wyo. Stat. 31-5-962 carry the same penalty structure. Law enforcement may also require removal of non-compliant tinting as a condition of resolving the citation.
Windshield Requirements for Multipurpose Vehicles
Wyoming defines multipurpose vehicles in Wyo. Stat. 31-1-101. This category includes ATVs, UTVs, and similar off-highway vehicles that may be registered for road use.
The windshield wiper requirement in Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955(b) applies to multipurpose vehicles only when they are equipped with both a windshield and an enclosed cab. A UTV or ATV without a full windshield is not required to have wipers, but if it has a windshield, the obstruction rules in subsection (a) still apply.
Recent Changes and Legislative Updates
No changes to Wyo. Stat. 31-5-955 (windshield obstruction) were enacted in the 2025 General Session or the 2026 Budget Session of the Wyoming Legislature.
The window tinting statute (Wyo. Stat. 31-5-962) was last amended on July 28, 2025, but the core provisions regarding windshield tint limits remain unchanged.
Wyoming has not passed a comprehensive hands-free driving law. The state's distracted driving prohibition remains limited to texting under Wyo. Stat. 31-5-237.
More Wyoming Laws
Sources and References
- Wyoming Statute 31-5-955 - Windshields and Wipers(law.justia.com)
- Wyoming Statute 31-5-962 - Sunscreening Devices(law.justia.com)
- Wyoming Statute 31-5-237 - Electronic Messaging Prohibition(law.justia.com)
- Wyoming Statute 31-5-1201 - Violation Penalties(law.justia.com)
- Wyoming Statute 31-1-101 - General Provisions and Definitions(law.justia.com)
- FMCSA Final Rule on Windshield-Mounted Technologies(fmcsa.dot.gov).gov
- FMCSA Federal Register - Authorized Windshield Area for Vehicle Safety Technology(federalregister.gov).gov
- Wyoming Title 31 - Motor Vehicles (Full Title PDF)(wyoleg.gov).gov
- Wyoming Legislature - State Statutes(wyoleg.gov).gov