Obstructed Windshield & Driver's View Violations

Last reviewed: October 2026 Reviewed by: Editorial Team

Quick answer: Ontario's Highway Traffic Act requires a driver's windshield and view of the road to stay genuinely clear -- this covers snow and ice left on the glass, materials or tinting applied to the windshield, and objects placed where they interfere with the driver's line of sight, such as a poorly positioned dashcam, parking pass, or hanging ornament. Reported fine figures for these violations commonly fall in the $85-$110 range, with amounts varying by source and specific circumstance.

Key Takeaways

Snow and ice left uncleared on windows is treated the same as a physical obstruction.
Tinting or materials applied to the windshield itself are separately restricted.
Objects hanging from a mirror or mounted on the glass can count if they interfere with the driver's view.
Reported fines commonly fall in the $85-$110 range, with figures varying by source.

Snow and ice left on the vehicle

One of the most common versions of this offence has nothing to do with equipment at all: leaving snow, ice, or frost on a windshield, rear window, or mirrors before driving. Ontario's rules requiring a clear view apply regardless of why the glass isn't clear, so a driver who clears only a small peephole through a snow- and ice-covered windshield can be ticketed the same as someone with a tinted or covered window.

Tinting and materials on the windshield

Separate from a temporary obstruction like snow, the Highway Traffic Act also restricts coatings, films, or materials applied directly to the windshield and front side windows that reduce visibility or light transmission below what's permitted. A factory-tinted strip at the very top of the windshield is generally treated differently from an aftermarket tint applied lower down across the main viewing area.

Hanging objects, mounts, and dashcams

Anything placed on or near the windshield that interferes with the driver's forward view can potentially support a charge -- air fresheners, parking passes, or decorations hanging from the mirror, and devices like dashcams, phone mounts, or GPS units mounted where they block a meaningful portion of the driver's sightline. A small device mounted low and out of the primary line of sight is generally viewed differently than one placed squarely in the driver's forward view.

Reported penalties

Reported fine figures for windshield and view-obstruction violations vary by source, with amounts commonly cited in the $85 to $110 range. Because the specific figure can depend on the exact provision cited and can change over time, the amount printed on your own ticket is the reliable number for your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be ticketed for not clearing snow off my windshield?

Yes. A windshield covered in snow, ice, or frost that isn't properly cleared is treated as an obstructed view, the same as a physical obstruction on the glass.

Are air fresheners or parking passes hanging from the mirror illegal?

They can be, if they interfere with the driver's forward view. Items hung in a spot that meaningfully blocks the sightline are more likely to draw a ticket than something small and out of the way.

Where should I mount a dashcam to avoid a ticket?

Generally, mounting it low and out of the driver's primary line of sight -- rather than squarely in the centre of the windshield -- reduces the risk of it being treated as an obstruction.

Sources

Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, ss. 73-74