A chipped windscreen has the potential to make a car illegal to drive, but only if the chip obstructs the driver’s view of the road and their surroundings.
Regulation 204 of the National Road Traffic Act stipulates: “No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle which is not so constructed and maintained as to afford the driver thereof a full and clear view of the roadway ahead and to his or her right and left when the vehicle is in use.”
As such, the size and shape of the crack aren’t of vital importance – unless, of course, it stretches across the bulk of the window – but rather, the location thereof.
So, if your car’s windscreen does have a little imperfection somewhere on the passenger side where it’s out of your peripheral vision, rest assured that you don’t have to run out immediately and get it fixed.
However, if there is one slap bang in front of your eyes when you’re sitting in the driver seat, it would be best to get it patched up before having to smooth talk your way out of a ticket.