Over the years I've seen a cycle of questions at times, another words over the course of several weeks I'll get asked by a number of people the same question. Then I may go several months or even year until that question reappears.

Here lately I've taken a number of calls asking if a windshield chip can be repaired if it's in front of the driver? Or if there is any place on a windshield that can't be repaired?

Okay, here in Oklahoma there are no laws that restrict any windshield repair. There is no required training or license to either repair or replace a windshield in Oklahoma. The fact is there are more requirements to cut some ones hair than repair a windshield.

ROLAGS (ANSI/NGA R1.1-2007), the national safety standard recommends not repairing windshield damage over an inch in diameter or if the finished pit (impact point) exceeds 3/16" in diameter in the area in front of the driver's vision known as the "Driver’s Primary Viewing Area" . The Driver’s Primary Viewing Area, is defined as an area that is 12 inches wide centered in front of the driver that extends  between the top and bottom of the driver's windshield wiper sweep.

Other considerations by this standard include not performing a repair within 4 inches of another repair and "if, in the technician's judgment, the repair will affect the proper operation of the vehicle".

Generally I'll make a repair on a windshield in front of the driver if I feel it's safe. As examples I'll repair a 1/2" star with 3 legs or cracks in front of the driver. I won't repair a combination break (chip) that's say 1 " in diameter that looks so bad that because the glass is mash up to the point that the damage looks like a white spot. There is a liability in doing windshield repair. Let's face it we're in a time when spilling a hot cup of coffee in your lap is worth $500K because the person wasn't told the fresh coffee was hot.

Due to the liability issue one of my large fleet accounts has a policy of "no windshield repairs in front of the driver", regardless of the chip size.

So there you have it, just use a little common sense when getting your windshield repaired and remember with any windshield repair there may be a distortion. Also remember that while replacing a windshield is expensive, the cost of being in an auto accident probably will be a lot more.