Georgia Window Sticker Laws
Most states have vastly different laws regarding the usage of stickers and other obstructive objects placed on the windshield of vehicles. Sticker usage is most commonly seen on company cars advertising their brand or product, and street racers and other car enthusiasts who enjoy after-market tuning of their cars.
Placement of windshield and other window stickers is regulated by vehicle equipment laws in Georgia. Before you decide to place any stickers on car windows, it’s highly recommended to familiarize yourself with the following laws.
Georgia window sticker laws
Georgia does not allow any materials or objects attached to windows which obstruct or reduce driver’s clear view of the road.
Georgia window sticker laws only allow window tint stickers, as well as registration or inspection stickers, or other stickers required by State law or local municipality. All other stickers not required by law are potentially illegal on front and back windshield, but also on front and even back side windows.
- Front windshield stickers may be placed in a 5-inch bottom corner on the driver’s side, or 7-inch corner on front passenger side.
- Window stickers on side windows and rear windshield are legal only on passenger vehicles (meaning on sedans; not multi-purpose vehicles such as SUV, truck, van etc.), but may not be placed on tinted windows. Rear windshield on MPV or other exempt vehicles can have stickers, but still only if this window is not tinted.
Below are relevant excerpts from Georgia Code, and also further clarification on legal window stickers in this state.
§ 40-8-73 – Windshields and windshield wipers:
(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side windows, or rear windows of such vehicle which obstructs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
§ 40-8-73.1 – Affixing of materials which reduce light transmission
This section of Georgia laws prohibits window tint or other materials, but makes these exceptions:
(2) Signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver; […]
(4) Any transparent item which is not red or amber in color which is placed on the uppermost six inches of the windshield;
(5) Any federal, state, or local sticker or certificate which is required by law to be placed on any windshield or window;
(6) The rear windshield or the side or door windows, except those windows to the right and left of the driver of: […]
(A) A multipurpose passenger vehicle;
(B) A school bus, any other bus used for public transportation, and any bus or van owned or leased by any religious or any nonprofit organization duly incorporated under the laws of this state;
(C) Any limousine owned or leased by a public or private entity; or
(D) Any other vehicle, the windows or windshields of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery or permitted by federal law or regulation;
(7) Any law enforcement vehicle;
If you place window stickers, ensure they are small and placed in corners, preferably on passenger’s side. Technically all stickers can potentially obstruct your clear view of the road. An overeager police officer may still issue a citation for any non-mandatory window stickers, claiming your vision of the road is reduced or impaired.
Based on Georgia window tint laws you can also install a strip or sticker on top of your front windshield above AS-1 line, or no more than top 6 inches. This strip must not be red or amber in color.
Sources and references:
- Georgia Code § 40-8-73, Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter 8 (Equipment and Inspection of Motor Vehicles), Article 1 (Equipment Generally), Part 4 (Horns, Exhaust Systems, Mirrors, Windshields, etc.), Section 73: Windshields and Windshield Wipers
- Georgia Code § 40-8-73.1, Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter 8 (Equipment and Inspection of Motor Vehicles), Article 1 (Equipment Generally), Part 4 (Horns, Exhaust Systems, Mirrors, Windshields, etc.), Section 73.1: Affixing of materials which reduce light transmission
Window sticker penalties
Penalty for violating Georgia vehicle equipment laws and placing unauthorized window stickers is considered a misdemeanor. If law enforcement officers issue a ticket, you can remove stickers and pay a small administrative fee to avoid further penalties and fines.