North Dakota Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
North Dakota regulates what can be mounted on or attached to a vehicle's windshield through Chapter 39-21 of the North Dakota Century Code. The state does not impose a complete ban on all windshield-mounted devices, but it does prohibit any object that blocks the driver's clear view of the road.
Understanding these rules matters for anyone who uses a GPS unit, phone mount, dashcam, or other windshield-mounted accessory in North Dakota. This guide covers the key statutes, tinting rules, penalties, and practical advice for staying compliant.
North Dakota Windshield Obstruction Law
The primary statute governing windshield obstructions is N.D.C.C. 39-21-39. This section establishes several requirements for vehicle windshields.
Windshield Required
Every motor vehicle must be equipped with a windshield. This is a baseline requirement that applies to all registered vehicles driven on North Dakota roads.
Nontransparent Material Prohibited
An individual may not drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows that obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
The operative phrase here is "obstructs the driver's clear view." North Dakota law does not automatically ban every item placed on a windshield. Instead, the legal test asks whether the item actually blocks the driver's ability to see the road and intersecting highways.
Windshield Wipers Required
The windshield on a motor vehicle must be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. This device must be constructed so it can be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. The windshield wiper must be maintained in good working order at all times.
Windshield Condition Requirements
Under N.D.C.C. 39-21-39.1, a windshield may not be shattered or in such a defective condition that the windshield materially impairs or obstructs the driver's clear view. This means cracks, chips, and other damage that interfere with visibility can result in a citation.
Federal regulations used by North Dakota allow windshield damage smaller than three-quarters of an inch in diameter, provided the flaw is not positioned within three inches of another defect. Any damage within the critical vision zone, which is the area directly above the steering wheel extending two inches from the top and one inch from the sides, is prohibited.
GPS and Phone Mounts
North Dakota does not have a specific statute that addresses GPS devices or cell phone mounts by name. These devices fall under the general windshield obstruction rule in N.D.C.C. 39-21-39.
Multiple legal sources list North Dakota among states where suction cup windshield mounts are restricted. The state interprets the obstruction law to apply to windshield-mounted devices that block the driver's clear view. A GPS unit or phone holder that takes up significant windshield space could violate the statute.
Safest Placement Options
To avoid potential enforcement issues, North Dakota drivers should consider these mounting alternatives:
- Dashboard mounts positioned so they do not block the view through the windshield
- Air vent mounts that clip to the vehicle's ventilation system
- Cup holder mounts that keep the device at a lower position
- CD slot mounts for vehicles with disc players
If you choose to use a windshield mount, placing it as low as possible on the passenger side of the windshield reduces the chance of an obstruction finding. However, even a small mount could draw a citation if a law enforcement officer determines it blocks your view.
Dashcam Rules
North Dakota does not have a dedicated dashcam statute. A dashcam is treated the same as any other windshield-mounted device under N.D.C.C. 39-21-39. It is permitted as long as it does not obstruct the driver's clear view of the highway.
The most common and legally secure dashcam placement in North Dakota is behind the rearview mirror, where the camera is largely hidden from the driver's field of vision. Dashboard-mounted dashcams are also an option that avoids the windshield entirely.
For commercial motor vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) added an exception in 2016 that allows certain vehicle safety technologies, including dashcams, to be mounted within the area swept by the wipers. This federal rule applies to commercial vehicles operating in North Dakota.
Obstruction to Driver's View
North Dakota has a separate statute addressing general obstructions to the driver's view. N.D.C.C. 39-10-54 prohibits driving a vehicle when the driver's view is obstructed or the driving mechanism is impaired.
This statute covers more than just windshield-mounted objects. It applies to any condition that limits the driver's ability to see, including items placed on the dashboard, passengers blocking the view, or cargo stacked too high. A violation of this section is classified as a moving violation with a $20 fine.
Window Tinting Laws
North Dakota regulates window tinting through subsections 4 and 5 of N.D.C.C. 39-21-39. The tinting rules interact with windshield mounting restrictions because any material applied to the windshield must meet light transmittance standards.
Current Tinting Requirements
| Window Location | Minimum Light Transmittance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front windshield (below AS-1 line) | 70% | No aftermarket tint that drops below 70% |
| Front side windows | 35% (effective August 1, 2025) | Changed from 50% by HB 1340 |
| Rear side windows | Any darkness | Must have dual side mirrors if tinted |
| Rear window | Any darkness | Must have dual side mirrors if tinted |
| Windshield (above AS-1 line or top 5 inches) | No restriction | Nonreflective sunscreening permitted |
The 70% Windshield Rule
An individual may not operate a motor vehicle with any object, material, or tinting displayed, affixed, or applied on the front windshield unless the material in conjunction with the windshield has a light transmittance of at least 70%. This means the windshield and any applied material must together allow at least 70% of visible light to pass through.
Calculating Total Tint
Factory-installed windshield glass already has some level of tint. The North Dakota Highway Patrol warns that factory tinting must be included when calculating total tint levels. For example, a windshield with 80% factory light transmittance combined with aftermarket film rated at 90% transmittance would produce a combined transmittance of about 72%, which would pass the 70% threshold. But adding a 70% aftermarket film to that same windshield would yield about 56% combined transmittance, which would violate the law.
Reflectivity Restrictions
North Dakota prohibits any metallic or mirrored appearance on front and rear side windows. Reflective tint can create dangerous glare for other drivers, particularly at night.
HB 1340: 2025 Window Tint Update
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1340 into law in March 2025. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, receiving an 89-2 vote in the House and a 41-6 vote in the Senate.
HB 1340 changed the minimum light transmittance requirement for front side windows from 50% to 35%, effective August 1, 2025. This allows North Dakota drivers to install darker tint on their front side windows than was previously permitted.
The front windshield requirement of 70% light transmittance was not changed by this legislation. Rear window tinting rules also remain the same: any level of darkness is allowed as long as the vehicle has dual side mirrors.
Failed Ballot Measure
A separate effort to eliminate all window tint restrictions was attempted through a ballot petition. The proposed measure would have amended N.D.C.C. 39-21-39 to allow any level of tint on all windows, including the windshield. The petition needed 15,582 valid signatures by February 24, 2026, but the organizer fell approximately 4,000 signatures short and the measure did not qualify for the ballot.
Distracted Driving Laws
North Dakota's distracted driving statutes affect how drivers use mounted devices while behind the wheel. Even a legally mounted phone or GPS can create legal liability if the driver interacts with it improperly.
Texting Ban
N.D.C.C. 39-08-23 prohibits text messaging and accessing web pages for all drivers. This is a primary enforcement law, meaning an officer can pull you over solely for texting. The fine is $100.
Distracted Driving
Effective August 1, 2017, North Dakota expanded its distracted driving law to cover any activity that impairs the ability to safely operate a vehicle. If you are distracted while driving and commit a traffic violation, you face an additional $100 citation for distracted driving on top of the underlying violation. This is a secondary enforcement provision, requiring another violation as a basis for the stop.
Built-in vehicle accessories and voice-operated or navigation devices are permitted under this law.
Drivers Under 18
Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using any electronic communications devices, including cell phones, while driving. Penalties for drivers aged 14 and 15 include a $20 fine and four points on the driving record. Drivers aged 16 and 17 face a $20 fine with no points.
No Statewide Hands-Free Law
North Dakota does not have a comprehensive hands-free law for adult drivers. Drivers aged 18 and older are legally permitted to make phone calls using a handheld device. However, interacting with a handheld phone in a way that causes distracted driving could still result in a citation if you commit a traffic violation while distracted.
Penalties for Windshield Violations
North Dakota classifies most equipment violations, including windshield obstruction, as noncriminal infractions. The penalty structure is less severe than in many other states.
| Violation | Classification | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield obstruction (39-21-39) | Noncriminal infraction | $20 | 0 |
| Defective windshield (39-21-39.1) | Noncriminal infraction | $20 | 0 |
| Obstruction to driver's view (39-10-54) | Moving violation | $20 | Varies |
| Illegal window tint (39-21-39) | Noncriminal infraction | $20 | 0 |
| Unsafe vehicle operation (39-21-46) | Noncriminal infraction | Up to $1,000 | 0 |
| Texting while driving (39-08-23) | Noncriminal infraction | $100 | 0 |
| Distracted driving (39-08-25) | Noncriminal infraction | $100 | 0 |
For window tint violations, drivers may receive a "fix-it" style warning directing them to remove the illegal tint and demonstrate compliance. Repeat violations can result in increased fines.
Operating a vehicle that the driver knows is in such unsafe condition as to endanger a person is a separate infraction under N.D.C.C. 39-21-46. This broader statute could apply to severely cracked or obstructed windshields that create a genuine safety hazard.
Exemptions
North Dakota law provides several exemptions from windshield and window restrictions:
| Exemption | Authority |
|---|---|
| Nonreflective sunscreening above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches | N.D.C.C. 39-21-39(5) |
| Manufacturer-installed tinting | N.D.C.C. 39-21-39 |
| Windows behind the operator (with dual side mirrors) | N.D.C.C. 39-21-39(4) |
| Law-required stickers and inspection certificates | N.D.C.C. 39-21-39(1) |
| Commercial vehicle safety technology (FMCSA rule) | 49 CFR 393.60(e) |
North Dakota does not currently offer a medical exemption program for darker window tint on the front windshield or front side windows.
Comparison With Neighboring States
North Dakota's windshield mounting rules fall in the middle compared to its neighbors. South Dakota has a similar obstruction-based standard. Minnesota has a stricter approach, expressly limiting what can be placed on windshields. Montana's rules are also based on whether the item obstructs the driver's view.
If you frequently drive across state lines in the Northern Plains region, be aware that each state has its own tinting and mounting rules. A tint level or mount position that is legal in North Dakota may not be legal in Minnesota or Montana.
More North Dakota Laws
Sources and References
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 39-21 - Equipment of Vehicles(ndlegis.gov).gov
- HB 1340 - Window Tint Update (2025)(ndlegis.gov).gov
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 39-08 - Regulations Governing Operators(ndlegis.gov).gov
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 39-10 - General Rules of the Road(ndlegis.gov).gov
- NDDOT Traffic Safety Laws(dot.nd.gov).gov
- NDDOT Vision Zero - Distracted Driving(visionzero.nd.gov).gov
- ND Highway Patrol - Window Tinting FAQ(statepatrol.nd.gov).gov
- ND Secretary of State - Window Tinting Petition Approval(sos.nd.gov).gov
- 49 CFR 393 - FMCSA Vehicle Equipment Standards(ecfr.gov).gov
- Window Tint Petition Fails to Qualify for 2026 Ballot(kfyrtv.com)