(Source: AGSC Press Release Template, October 2016, Edited)

When a vehicle windshield is replaced, a qualified certified technician will give you a very important measure of time—in the auto glass industry, this measure is called “safe drive-away time.” Safe Drive-Away Time (SDAT) describes the amount of time that must pass after replacing the windshield, before the vehicle is safe to drive.

The safe drive-away time for a vehicle varies depending on the type of adhesive or glue the technician uses to install the windshield. A number of adhesives offer a drive-away time as low as 30 minutes, while others require the vehicle be parked for several hours after the windshield is replaced. The adhesive safe drive-away time is determined by a variety of factors, including type of adhesive, temperature, humidity and other conditions at the time of replacement. An Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSCC) certified technician will take all factors into consideration before informing the customer of the proper and safe drive-away time.

The safe drive away time measurement is important because the vehicle’s windshield plays a critical role in a vehicle’s structural safety system.  

When a windshield is replaced, customers should ask the windshield replacement technician or customer service representative for the specific length of time required that must pass before the vehicle is safe to be driven.

The Auto Glass Safety Council is the not-for-profit organization dedicated to the safe replacement of auto glass. The AGSC was founded and is supported by companies in the auto glass replacement industry that keep safe installation as their primary goal and is an accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development organization. It has developed North America’s only auto glass replacement standard, the AGRSS™ Standard (ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS™ 003-2015 Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard), which addresses procedures, education and product performance.