Window stickers can encourage safer driving from others around you, and add some personality to your wheels, but these seemingly harmless décor choices could actually be detrimental to your car insurance.

Car expert Gabriel Hambleton from Gold Label Car Care has warned drivers about the unexpected issues that window stickers can cause. While these stickers are often used to encourage safer driving from others, placing them incorrectly can lead to fines, MOT failures, or even invalidate your car insurance.

If placed incorrectly, window stickers can obstruct views of the road and become a safety hazard, Hambleton said: “Many drivers don’t realise that something as simple as a ‘baby on board’ sticker can lead to unexpected trouble if placed incorrectly.

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“While these stickers are great for alerting others to drive carefully, they can quickly become a safety hazard if they block your view of the road.”

The expert warned that the placement of any window sticker is important because they could obstruct your view is placed incorrectly.

Hambleton explained: “While stickers in your car aren’t illegal, their placement matters. If they block your view, you could be fined £100 on the spot and receive three penalty points on your licence.”

If the obstruction leads to unsafe driving and you’re taken to court, the fine could increase to £1,000. In extreme cases the penalty for dangerous driving could rise to £5,000.

Causing an accident due to obstructed visibility could result in up to nine penalty points, a £5,000 fine, or even losing your licence entirely.

Insurance issues and MOT failures

Some insurers may consider stickers a modification to your vehicle. If the sticker itself causes an accident, your car insurance could be invalidated.

Hambleton said: “Many drivers may not realise that even small changes to their vehicle, like adding a sticker, could be considered modifications by insurers.

“If a sticker is seen to increase your risk on the road, it might invalidate your car insurance, leaving you without cover in the event of an accident.”

Likewise, if you’re hoping to pass your MOT, stickers on your windows should never block your windscreen wipers.

“Drivers should make sure that nothing blocks the swept area of their windscreen wipers, as this could lead to an MOT failure,” Hambleton explained.

He added: “Items such as stickers, poorly positioned dashcams, or other devices must not interfere with your view of the road or the wipers’ operation, particularly in adverse weather conditions.”