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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 19. Public Safety
Agency 30. Department of State Police
Chapter 70. Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Regulations
11/5/2024

19VAC30-70-600. Windshield wiper/defroster.

A. Inspect for and reject if:

1. Vehicle is equipped with a windshield and is not equipped with a windshield wiper.

2. Vehicle was manufactured before January 1, 1943, and is not equipped with at least one wiper on the driver's side. This wiper may be operated by hand.

3. Vehicle was manufactured after January 1, 1943, and is not equipped with a windshield wiper or wipers that clear both sides of the windshield; these wipers must be mechanically operated (electrical, vacuum, or air, but not by hand). A switch in good working order must be present to turn the wipers on and off. Any wiper that parks within the area covered by the driver's windshield wiper blade, excluding the three inches above the bottom of the windshield shall be rejected (19VAC30-70-580 B 6).

4. Blade has brittle, worn, torn, or ripped rubber or if metal comes in contact with the windshield; the blade is not securely attached to wiper arm.

5. Wiper does not operate freely; or if it is an electrically or mechanically operated wiper that must be operated by hand.

NOTE: Inspect only wipers found on the front windshield.

B. Windshield Defroster: Vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969, must be equipped with windshield defroster systems.

Inspect for and reject if:

1. Any 1969 or subsequent model not equipped with a windshield defroster system.

2. Defroster fan fails to function.

3. Fan functions, but a warm stream of air cannot be felt blowing against the windshield. (Engine must be warm and all elements of the defroster system must be in the on position.)

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-1165 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR545-01-07 § 60, eff. May 1, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 8, eff. February 9, 1994; Volume 21, Issue 4, eff. September 22, 2004; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. October 3, 2016.

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