Failing to regularly fill up one vital and everyday fluid in your vehicle could see you in legal trouble.
Whilst it’s advised to routinely carry out maintenance inspections on your motor to keep it operating smoothly and extend its lifespan, overlooking this could lead to a hefty penalty and potentially points added to your driving licence. Items like petrol and engine coolant, for instance, are crucial to guarantee your vehicle can actually function on the road.
Nevertheless, one that’s equally crucial, yet might be more easily overlooked, is windscreen washer fluid. This liquid is critical in assisting you to maintain your windscreen clear of dirt and debris, thereby guaranteeing that you can observe the road ahead correctly.
Whilst there aren’t any specific regulations referencing screen wash fluid in the Highway Code, it does state that “windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.”
Penalty for not topping up windscreen washer fluid
Should you fail to maintain your washer fluid topped up adequately, you’ll be incapable of clearing any dirt or grime from your windshield whilst operating the vehicle. This becomes particularly important during winter months when Britain’s roads are more prone to being damp and covered in dirt, which can be splashed up onto the windscreen.
If you’re caught with a dirty windscreen that obstructs your view and you’re unable to clean it due to insufficient washer fluid, you could be accused of careless driving. In the UK, this can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £100 and three points on your licence.
However, if your offence is considered particularly severe, you could face court proceedings. The penalty can escalate significantly and may even lead to a driving ban.
Maintaining a clear windscreen
Official guidelines emphasise that every vehicle equipped with a windscreen must have at least one automatic windscreen wiper unless the driver can adequately see the road ahead without looking through the windscreen. Most vehicles are also required to have a windscreen washer fitted unless it isn’t:
- a vehicle which cannot go faster than 20mph
- an agricultural vehicle first used before 1 June 1986
- a tracked vehicle
- a vehicle used to provide a local service (as defined in the Transport Act 1985)
Full details on up-to-date legislation on widescreen washers can be found here.