# Legalities of over-the-top-sun-protection while driving?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalities-of-over-the-top-sun-protection-while-driving/590582>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 28, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalities-of-over-the-top-sun-protection-while-driving/590582 "2011-07-28T03:18:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalities-of-over-the-top-sun-protection-while-driving/590582/1 "2011-07-28T03:18:54Z")

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I live in a part of California where it’s cloudless sunshine the majority of the year. I have been noticing a lot of scarves, pieces of cardboard, suction-cupped sun screens, etc. covering the driver’s side window of cars. I have even seen people driving with [these](http://www.sungrubbies.com/product_index_html/product_detail_html/SolarHat-UV-Protection-Visor.htm) and upper-arm-length gloves.

My question is how this is viewed in the law enforcement community. I am really annoyed by it – as I generally have two kids in the backseat – and can’t see a way where one can change lanes safely if their left window is blocked.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalities-of-over-the-top-sun-protection-while-driving/590582/2 "2011-07-28T04:12:22Z")

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I’ve never seen the thing you’ve linked to, my only guess is that even though it looks like you can’t see thought it, you probably can. My eyes are really sensitive light, I wear my sunglasses well after the sun goes down and even sometimes when it’s starting to rain. I’m aware that to other drivers they probably think I’m obstructing my vision, but I know I can see just fine. As for shades or cardboard on windows, it would probably come down to your local window tinting or obstructing the view of the driver laws in your area which you could probably look up online.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalities-of-over-the-top-sun-protection-while-driving/590582/3 "2011-07-28T04:23:58Z")

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Doing some googling, I found [this](http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm) which basically says that without a doctor’s note, you can’t put any sun blocking devices on any of the three front windows (in California).