Quick Summary:
- Reduce speed, avoid bumps, and keep the cabin temperature steady.
- Photograph the crack, record time, location, and warning lights immediately.
- Stop driving if the crack crosses your line of sight.
- Notify the rental company promptly, and follow their repair or swap instructions.
Texas heat can turn a small windscreen chip into a fast-spreading crack, especially when the glass is already stressed by road vibration, high cabin cooling, and long highway miles. If you are using a car hire in Texas and you notice a crack creeping across the windscreen, the key questions are whether it is still safe to drive, how to prevent it worsening, and how to document everything so you are not blamed for avoidable extra damage.
This guide covers practical safety steps, how to record the condition for the rental company, and the clear situations where you should stop driving and arrange assistance.
Why cracks spread faster in Texas extreme heat
Windscreens are laminated glass, built to resist impacts and hold together. Even so, temperature changes make glass expand and contract. In Texas summer conditions the outer glass can be extremely hot, while the inside cools rapidly when air conditioning hits the screen. That temperature differential increases stress around any chip or crack.
Add common driving factors like gravel strikes on highways, rough expansion joints on bridges, and body flex over potholes, and the crack can lengthen quickly. A crack that is stable at dawn can spread by mid-afternoon after the car has been parked in direct sun.
Can you keep driving with a cracked windscreen?
Sometimes yes, but only if it remains safe and legal, and only long enough to reach a sensible stopping point. The safest approach with a car hire is to treat any spreading crack as time-sensitive. Your goal is to reduce further damage and get guidance from the rental company quickly.
When assessing whether you can keep driving, think in terms of visibility, structural integrity, and risk of worsening. If the crack is away from the driver’s direct view, not reaching the edges of the windscreen, and not creating distortion, you may be able to drive carefully to a safe place or approved repair facility. If the crack is in your line of sight, rapidly growing, or reaching the edge, you should plan to stop and call the rental company rather than continuing.
Immediate safe steps if the crack starts spreading
Start with safety, then focus on preventing the crack from accelerating.
1) Slow down and increase following distance. Vibration and sudden braking can worsen the crack. Drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration, and keep extra space to reduce stone strikes kicked up by other vehicles.
2) Avoid bumps and rough surfaces where possible. Choose smoother routes, and take speed bumps and potholes slowly. Body flex can pull the crack further.
3) Stabilise temperature inside the cabin. Do not blast very cold air directly onto the windscreen. Set the air conditioning to a moderate temperature and aim vents toward your body rather than the glass. If you must demist, raise temperature gradually.
4) Park smart if you need to stop. Move the vehicle to a safe area. If you can, park in shade or a covered car park to limit additional heat load. Avoid pouring water on the glass, sudden cooling can shock the windscreen.
5) Keep hands off the glass. Do not press the crack or try DIY fixes that could be interpreted as tampering. Tape products may trap heat or leave residue, and some rental agreements discourage unapproved repairs.
When you must stop driving to avoid safety issues and charges
Stopping quickly is not only about safety. With car hire, continuing to drive after obvious worsening can be viewed as failing to mitigate damage, which may affect how charges are assessed. As a practical rule, stop driving and contact the rental company if any of the following apply:
The crack crosses the driver’s line of sight. Even a thin crack can refract sunlight, distort oncoming headlights, and reduce reaction time.
The crack reaches or is close to the windscreen edge. Edges are high-stress zones. Once a crack reaches the edge it often spreads faster, and replacement becomes more likely than repair.
You see multiple branching cracks. Spidering can indicate the glass is becoming unstable.
The crack is growing rapidly while driving. If you can see it lengthening, you should assume conditions are accelerating the damage.
There is any impact event. If a stone hits and you hear a sharp crack or see a new chip, stop soon to assess safely. Continuing at highway speed can turn a repairable chip into a replacement.
You are unsure about legality or inspection standards. Rules can vary by situation, but you remain responsible for driving safely. If it looks unsafe, treat it as unsafe.
How to document windscreen damage properly for a rental company
Good documentation protects you by creating a clear timeline. Do it as soon as you notice the crack, ideally before the condition changes further.
Step 1: Take wide and close photos. Start with a wide shot showing the full windscreen and the vehicle’s registration plate if possible. Then take close-ups from inside and outside. Photograph from multiple angles so the crack length and location are obvious.
Step 2: Add a size reference without touching the crack. If safe, hold a coin or card near the crack without pressing on the glass, and photograph to show approximate length. The aim is scale, not a perfect measurement.
Step 3: Record context. Note date, time, approximate location, weather, and what happened, for example parked in sun, then noticed crack after starting air conditioning. If your phone saves location data, keep it enabled for those photos.
Step 4: Capture the dashboard. Take a photo of the mileage and any warning lights. This helps show when the issue was identified during your rental period.
Step 5: Keep all communications. Save messages, emails, and call logs with the rental company and any roadside assistance provider. If you are told to drive to a location, ask for that instruction in writing where possible.
What to do next with your Texas car hire
After you have stabilised the situation and documented it, follow the rental company process. Each supplier will have specific steps, but the general workflow is consistent.
1) Contact the rental company as soon as practical. Explain that the crack is spreading and that you have photos. Ask whether they want you to continue driving, attend an approved glass repairer, or arrange a vehicle swap.
2) Ask about authorisation before any repair. Do not pay for a repair unless the rental company has approved it and you understand reimbursement rules. Unauthorised repairs can complicate billing.
3) Confirm whether the vehicle is safe to drive. If they advise you to drive to an inspection point, follow their route and timing guidance, and drive cautiously.
4) Check your paperwork. Review the rental agreement and any coverage you took, such as excess reduction. The agreement usually explains who is responsible for glass damage and whether there is an administration fee.
If you are arranging a rental through Hola Car Rentals and picking up in major Texan hubs, it can help to know the local pickup context while you follow supplier instructions, for example at Dallas DFW or Houston IAH. If you are in Central Texas, you may be dealing with desk processes around Austin AUS. In South Texas, guidance may reference return or swap options connected to San Antonio SAT.
How to reduce the chance of further spreading while you wait
Sometimes you will need to wait for a call back, an appointment, or a safe time to move the car. The goal is to limit heat stress and vibration.
Choose shade and avoid direct sun. If you can move safely, park in a covered area. Even a short reduction in surface temperature can help.
Keep temperature changes gradual. When starting the car, avoid immediate maximum cooling. Let the cabin air equalise, then lower temperature step-by-step.
Drive at calmer times if you must relocate. Early morning or late evening can be cooler. Lower ambient temperature reduces stress on the glass.
Avoid slamming doors. Pressure spikes from door slams can stress the glass. Close doors gently, and ask passengers to do the same.
Common mistakes that can lead to extra damage charges
Charges are typically tied to the final condition of the windscreen and whether the driver took reasonable steps after noticing a problem. These missteps often create disputes:
Continuing a long highway drive after noticing the crack growing. More miles usually means more vibration and more risk the crack reaches the edge.
Using extreme demist or maximum cold air aimed at the screen. Sudden temperature change is a known crack accelerator.
Attempting DIY repairs. Resin kits can be useful on privately owned cars, but on a car hire they may be considered unauthorised alteration.
Failing to report promptly. If the crack becomes much larger before it is reported, it can appear that it was ignored.
Returning the car without explaining. Always report the issue through the proper channel and keep evidence. Silent returns can lead to assumptions about cause and timing.
What to expect at inspection, repair, or vehicle swap
If the damage is small and away from critical viewing areas, the supplier may send you to an approved repairer for a resin fill. If the crack is long, near the edge, or in the driver’s view, replacement is more likely. Replacement can take time, so a swap vehicle may be offered, particularly if you are mid-trip.
At inspection, staff may document the crack length and location, then link it to your rental file. You can help by providing your own photos from the moment you noticed it. If you have time-stamped images and clear notes, it is easier to show you acted responsibly and followed instructions.
Driving safely until the issue is resolved
If you are told it is safe to drive a short distance, keep it conservative. Stay out of fast lanes, avoid construction zones where debris is common, and keep your windscreen clean so glare is minimised. At dusk, cracks can flare in the low sun, so consider delaying travel if visibility becomes uncomfortable.
Ultimately, your responsibility is to drive only when you can see clearly and the vehicle is roadworthy. In extreme Texas heat, a windscreen crack is rarely something to ignore for long, even if it starts small.
FAQ
Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen in Texas? There is no single simple rule that covers every crack, but if the damage obstructs your view or makes the vehicle unsafe, you should not drive. Treat any crack in the driver’s line of sight as a stop-and-report situation.
Will I be charged for a windscreen crack on a car hire? It depends on the rental agreement and any coverage you selected. Glass damage is often chargeable, and costs can increase if the crack worsens after it is noticed, so report it immediately and follow instructions.
Should I get the crack repaired myself and claim it back? Only if the rental company authorises it first and confirms the reimbursement process. Unauthorised repairs can cause billing disputes, even if the intention was helpful.
What photos should I take for proof? Take wide shots of the full windscreen, close-ups from inside and outside, and a dashboard photo showing mileage. Also note time, place, and conditions like strong sun or heavy air conditioning use.
Can extreme air conditioning make a windscreen crack worse? Yes. A very cold blast directed at hot glass can increase thermal stress and spread a crack. Keep cabin temperature changes gradual and avoid aiming vents directly at the windscreen.
