Q&A - Driving With the Windshield Folded Down

Question: I was looking for anything on the legality of driving a Jeep with the windshield folded down but it seems the subject has never been brought up. It's being discussed on Facebook on the 4WDR Association of BC's page.

It's an interesting question too.

Windshield Rules

The current inspection manual says that the vehicle has to have one, but remains mute on whether there is an issue if it is folded down.

Division 7.05 of the MVAR deals with the windshield and ends up saying much the same thing.

Part 29 of the Schedule to that Division doesn't add anything either.

I've often wondered about it, but can't recall ever having had the opportunity to stop someone who was driving with the windshield folded down.

Unless you get smacked by a bug or something of that nature, I don't see too much of an issue, especially if you are wearing eye protection.

Compare Riding a Motorcycle

Now let's consider motorcycle riders. There is nothing that says they have to ride with a visor or eye protection, which to me seems to be the equivalent of a windshield. If they don't have to, hard to insist that a driver can't fold the windshield down.

Although in both cases I wonder if driving down the Coquihalla at 120 km/h without some form of protection might not qualify as Driving With Vision Obstructed.

As an aside, I see that some jurisdictions do require eye protection or a windshield for motorcycle riders.

An Aside on Doors

...and now that I've read the Facebook post, it seems that I'm pretty much on track with my answer. Although there is one caveat to the OP's statement and that is the CJ has to have been built without doors in order to qualify. If it was built with doors they need to be there. The owner should be prepared to show the option code on the vehicle placard to prove this.

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