The Law Surrounding HGV Windscreens
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The laws surrounding windscreen repair and replacement aren’t always the easiest to interpret, mainly because there is something of a grey area between what counts as a light scratch, heavy scratch and a crack. However, for HGV, things get a little trickier.
As you might expect, when it comes to windscreen repair and inspection for HGVs, specific legislation is required to ensure that the size of those windscreens is accounted for. In this article, the 1st Call Windscreens team will be running through this legislation to ensure that you’re up to speed.
HGV vehicle windscreens and zones
One of the key differences with respect to HGV windscreens is their size. Consequently, when assessing how bad certain damage is to a HGV windscreen, whereabouts the damage is located is extremely important, as damage in certain areas may not put the driver in danger at all.
In order to make sense of this, we think of HGV windscreens as having different zones:
- Zone A is 350mm wide, in the swept area of the screen and is centred on the steering wheel. We can think of this zone as the driver immediate field of vision, and the most important part of the windscreen
- Zone B, on the other hand, is the remainder of the swept area of the windscreen, covering most of passenger’s field of vision
- Finally, there is Zone C – the remainder of the windscreen which falls outside of the swept area
The idea of these zones is that, when it comes to assessing damage or discolouration, a greater amount of damage could be accepted in zone C than in zone B. Similarly, a greater amount of damage could be accepted in zone B than zone A – where relatively minor damage could still be considered a problem and not roadworthy.
Make sure your HGVs are in line with regulations by getting windscreens repaired or replaced when required.
What can encroach on the swept area?
While damage and discolouration can be avoided, there are certain features of HGVs which will encroach on zone A or B which are deemed acceptable because they aid the driver, or because they are necessary to comply with regulations. These are as follows:
- Vehicle distance or lane indicator systems
- Operator licence
- Automatic windscreen wiper detectors
- Fresnel lens
- Split windscreens
- Wipers which park adjacent to a central pillar
- Driver monitoring systems
- Driver’s aids such as blinds and their mountings
It’s important to note, however, that if these features seriously restrict the view of the driver, then they might not be deemed acceptable.
1st Call Windscreens carry out professional windscreen repair and replacements throughout Maidstone, Medway & the rest of Kent. Our 24/7 service can help you out no matter where you are, whether you’re at work, at home or stuck by the roadside. We do chip repairs and windscreen replacements, our friendly team have all the expertise to get you back on the road safely without delay. For more information, simply get in touch with us today.
1st Call Windscreens
Hello and welcome to 1st Call Windscreens. To put it simply, we offer the best windscreen repair and windscreen replacement services for customers in Sittingbourne, Maidstone and the rest of Kent.
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I spoke to David today, he couldn’t be more helpful! He was VERY honest, HELPFUL & KNOWLEDGEABLE! What an amazing service, if anyone is looking to use 1st Call, I couldn’t recommend them more! ...
- 16 hours ago
we are very happy with the repairs carried out and the speed of the response. Great job, would recommend !st Call Windscreens any time....
- 1 week ago
Excellent service. A niggling leak on the windscreen was fixed quickly and efficiently. The screen was removed without fuss or damage and resealed. It's a job that insurers won't touch,they only de...
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Discovered my Volvo V50 was not sealing at the top. Autoglass wanted to replace it for £700, called 1st Call and they removed and resealed it for £100+vat and said that if it had broken it would only ...
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Absolutely the best. From the first phone call to collecting my car with new side window that had been vandalised being replaced. next day service so my car was back on the road promptly. Extremely ...
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Excellent Workmanship Good Value and Top Quality Customer Service: I recently had my Ford Fiesta ST heated windscreen replaced by 1st Call Windscreens, I couldn't be happier with the whole experienc...
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Brilliant service. Would recommend 1st call windscreens to anyone looking for an efficient service. Friendly and helpful above and beyond ! 0...
- 2 months ago
Asked for a quote online which came through quickly. Just £48 inc vat for windscreen stone chip. Phoned to book a repair. I could either take the car to them or they would come out to me the next day....
- 3 months ago
Tom turned up on time, he was professional but friendly, he kept me informed on what he was doing and progress, and did a great job! Thanks Tom. Would highly recommend...
- 3 months ago
I needed my windscreen replaced due to a large crack; I was booked in straight away and I couldn’t be happier. They came to my house to fit the replacement, only took them about 20 minutes and they ev...
- 4 months ago
Couldn't be happier, had my Evoque windscreen re sealed as was leaking. Highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens. The guys were extremely helpful & friendly both on phone and doing the work. The work was...
- 4 months ago
Fantastic service, booked for a site visit to alleviate any disruption to the engineers day and it all went seamlessly. I would definitely recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will use them in the futu...
- 4 months ago
Customer service were great responded to my call out vey quickly and the guy that came out was very nice and helpful Thank you...
- 5 months ago
Had my chip fixed at my home this afternoon - cannot praise the service enough!!!! Lovely man who took 10-15 minutes - perfect job and no issues - very good price and highly recommend them Jo Seveno...
- 6 months ago
Very helpful and carried out a repair at very short notice on our way to catch a ferry. Very polite and stabilised the chip in our windscreen so that we could continue abroad for our holiday uninterru...
- 7 months ago
Made a call to 1st call windscreens as I was worried about a chip in my screen. The guys were very helpful, turned up on time and carried out a fantastic repair and was cheaperthan my insurance acce...
- 7 months ago
We had an emergency windscreen repair needed when travelling down from Oxfordshire to Kent. The Sittingbourne team went out of their way to help us at very short notice and allowing us to resume our j...
- 7 months ago
Jake was friendly, polite and helpful. He left no mess inside or outside the car and took away the boxes the seals came in even though they were supplied direct by the BMW dealer....
- 8 months ago
Arrived on time at my home address. Was very professional, polite and efficient. No hassle and no mess. Screen was replaced on my mini in no time at all and looks perfect. Thank you will highly recom...
- 8 months ago
So happy with Byron and Jake today very friendly and professional from 1st Call Windscreens Ltd. They come extremely well prepared with attention to detail. A great job was done on replacing my wind...
- 8 months ago
1st Call windscreens are absolutely 1st class. Spoke with David on the phone and he was so helpful and knowledgeable. Took our car up to them to advise on the correct windscreens which embarrassingl...
- 8 months ago
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