Are Stickers on Your Car Illegal? What You Need to Know

Decorating your car with stickers is a popular way to express yourself and show support for various causes and interests. However, some people may be concerned about the legality of placing stickers on their car. In this blog post, we will explore whether stickers on your car are illegal and what you need to know to avoid potential legal issues.

Firstly, it’s important to note that laws regarding stickers on cars may vary depending on your location. In general, most countries do not have laws specifically prohibiting stickers on cars. However, there may be laws that regulate the placement and content of stickers on your car.

For example, some countries may require you to place certain types of stickers, such as registration and inspection stickers, in specific locations on your car. In addition, stickers that obstruct the driver’s view, such as large decals on the windscreen, may be prohibited as they can pose a safety hazard. When fitting our sunstrips to your front windscreen – make sure you dont fit them so low that it obstructs your view. Common sense prevails here.

Also relating to covering windows are the rules relating window tinting. I quote our fitting partner Roper at ABC Tints & Wraps in Bloxwich, UK:

“You can totally black out your rear windscreen and rear side windows if you want, and it is perfectly legal. Many van drivers do just this for security reasons. Most car owners would opt for a 5% (limo-style) tint in these areas, which allows you to see out but nobody can see in. For the front side windows and windscreen, you can have up to a 70% tint. For window tinting, a lower number is darker, a higher number is lighter.” So in a nutshell, there is a limit to how dark a tint can be fitted to your windscreen and drivers/passenger side windows. These rules are for the UK – the rules are country-specific, so its worth checking the rules for your location.

It’s also worth noting that some types of stickers are offensive or discriminatory, which could result in legal issues if someone files a complaint. There can be a fine line between funny and offensive, so use your discretion. Stickers that contain hate speech or promote violence are illegal and you risk being subject to criminal charges. Also, we have seen plenty of stickers for sale on other internet sites that although are not illegal, are just going to attract police attention. If you feel the need to put ‘F* the Police’ stickers and marijuana leaf stickers on you car, don’t whine and complain if the police pull you over whenever they see you.

If you have a commercial vehicle, such as a truck or van, you may need to comply with regulations regarding the content and placement of advertising stickers on your vehicle. Certainly in the UK & EU there are regulations covering conspicuity markings for HGVs, and also Chapter 8 chevrons for other vehicles being used on construction sites and highway maintenance.

Insurance: Be aware that fitting stickers to your vehicle can be classed as a ‘vehicle modification’ by some insurance companies. Several of our customers have had issues with insurance companies when they are trying to make a claim, after not declaring that they had stickers fitted. This is a minority of cases though – we deal a lot with car repair shops who require just part kits to replace a damaged panel, and these are all insurance jobs going ahead without issues. If in doubt, it is worth checking with your insurance company. I personally cannot see how having stickers will make you more likely to have a crash or have your vehicle stolen. Insurance companies will always try to find a reason not to pay out!

In conclusion, while stickers on your car are generally not illegal, it’s important to be aware of any laws and regulations in your location that may govern their placement and content. Additionally, it’s important to use common sense when choosing stickers for your car and avoid anything that may be considered overly offensive or discriminatory. By doing so, you can safely and legally decorate your car with stickers that express your personality and interests.