New windscreen: does the camera need recalibrating?
By AZ Carrosserie · Published on
After a windscreen replacement, the driver-assistance camera often needs recalibrating: many manufacturers ask for it. In Geneva, AZ Carrosserie calibrates cameras, radars and sensors of all makes, even when the windscreen was fitted elsewhere. Calibration can be requested on its own, on quotation.
Why does the camera need recalibrating after a windscreen?
On many models, the driver-assistance camera is mounted behind the windscreen. It is the camera that reads the road for emergency braking, lane keeping or adaptive cruise control.
The good-practice guide of EGEA, the European garage equipment association, lists windscreen replacement among the jobs that disturb a sensor’s aim and after which calibration becomes necessary. It also lists a collision, even a light one, a suspension repair, a wheel alignment, a replaced sensor or bracket, and a stored fault code. Source: EGEA, “Bonnes pratiques des ADAS 2023”, in French, read on 06.10.2026.
Who asks for it: the law or the manufacturer?
Your car’s manufacturer. According to the same guide, many manufacturers require calibration after a windscreen replacement, and it is their information that tells you whether your model needs it. EGEA describes trade practice: it is not a law. Source: EGEA, “Bonnes pratiques des ADAS 2023”, in French, read on 06.10.2026.
So the useful question is about your car, not cars in general. Give the make, model and year: that is where the procedure starts.
The windscreen was fitted elsewhere: is that a problem?
No. At AZ Carrosserie, ADAS calibration is a separate service. You can ask for it with no other repair, including when the windscreen was replaced by another garage.
The workshop calibrates driver-assistance cameras, radars and sensors of all makes, with its own calibration equipment. It also programmes new parts, all makes, with a repair or on their own.
With the car standing still, or on the road?
It depends on the vehicle. The procedure is set by the manufacturer: some systems are calibrated with the car standing still, facing targets, others need a drive on the road. Source: EGEA, “Bonnes pratiques des ADAS 2023”, in French, read on 06.10.2026.
That is also why the price of a calibration is set on quotation: it depends on the model, on how many systems need calibrating and on the procedure the manufacturer sets. The quote costs you nothing.
Can you drive before the calibration?
The decision is yours, and your manufacturer’s information remains the reference. According to the EGEA guide, the driver must be warned not to rely on the driver-assistance systems until the calibration has been done. Source: EGEA, “Bonnes pratiques des ADAS 2023”, in French, read on 06.10.2026.
If you drive before then, drive as if the car had neither emergency braking nor lane keeping.
What should your request include?
Four details save a back-and-forth:
- the make, model and year of the car;
- what was done: windscreen replaced, and by which garage if it was not us;
- the warning light or message shown on the dashboard, if there is one;
- the chassis number, or a photo of the vehicle registration document.
Call the workshop on 076 429 04 12, write from the Contact page, or fill in the quote form for a calibration, online and at any hour. We reply within 24 working hours.
Where is the workshop?
The workshop is at Avenue Pictet-de-Rochemont 33ter, 1207 Genève, in Eaux-Vives. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 5.30 pm. 34 Google reviews, 5.0 out of 5 as of 19.10.2026: the workshop’s Google listing.
See also: Chipped windscreen in Geneva: repair or replace?, and the Windscreen replacement page.