The term Safe Drive Away Time refers to how long after your windshield is replaced that your car is safe to drive away SAFELY. This will vary depending on the adhesive type used when replacing your windshield. In some cases, it can be as little as an hour or as much as several hours. Type of adhesive, temperature, humidity are all factors when determining the time. Summer weather can have the adhesives cure quicker while winter weather can slow the process down.

Your certified technician will inform you of how much time is needed before driving away. If you take the car to the shop, you may be better leaving it there. If you are using the mobile service, this is probably not an issue.

What happens if you drive the car before the adhesive cures properly?

While it is an unlikely event that you will have an accident a few hours after your windshield is replaced, it can happen. Your windshield (properly installed) supports the vehicle’s roof. If the Safe Drive Away Time is ignored, the windshield may not stay in place in the event of a crash. You and your passengers are not safe at that point as the roof could cave in or be ejected through the opening. Knowing the SDAT could save your life

Minimum Drive Away Time

Recently the term Minimum Drive Away Time has been added to the windshield replacement vocabulary as it is more accurate, as it reflects a minimum amount of time needed before a vehicle could be considered to be operational and safe.

No matter what – Companies should stand behind their drive-away time. If it’s 30 minutes, then that’s the minimum time needed for the adhesive to cure. Some technicians may go further and add more time on top of that minimum, just in case.