Why is my windscreen frozen on the inside?

ARCTIC conditions can cause so many issues for drivers across the country when a cold-snap takes hold.

Despite this being a more regular headache for us in this country, it still does not fail to cause disruption to all our lives.

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Why is my windscreen frozen on the inside?

Waking to a thick layer of ice on the windscreen can be an annoying start to the day for many.

However, jumping in the car to find that the inside of the windscreen is also frozen can be an unexpected surprise.

Ice on the inside of the windscreen is down to the same two factors that affect the exterior of the car, moisture and temperature.

It can be caused by a number of things from wet clothes or shoes left in the car overnight, a window left accidentally open or even having the heater up high just before parking can leave additional moisture in the air.

Sometimes the root cause can be tricky to find as even a loose seal on the windscreen could cause moisture to enter the vehicle.

How can I prevent my windscreen freezing?

The best way to prevent the inside of the windscreen from freezing is to to remove as much moisture as you can from the car’s interior.

If there’s an obvious source – be it wet clothes or dodgy door seals – fix that first.

However, if the cause is less obvious you can use special dehumidifier pads to suck moisture from the air.

These reusable bags use silica gel which works very well in ridding the car cockpit of moisture.

A quick alternative is to place a tub with some salt, rice or cat litter in it in your car and replace it regularly.

Can I get fined for driving with a frozen windscreen?

Failure to properly clear the windscreen of snow or ice could result in the driver receiving a fixed penalty notice under the CU20 penalty code. 

Using a vehicle with parts or accessories in a “dangerous condition” could result in a fine of up to £1000 and three penalty points.

Simply removing the ice from the driver’s side of the windscreen is not enough – you must de-ice the entire area, using the wipers when the ice has melted.

Highway Code rule 229 states that all your windows need clearing and demisting.

Although it may seem like a major hassle when in a rush to get to work, it could prove an expensive shortcut to not address the problem properly before setting off on your journey.