While most laws are simple at tinting government windows, some use slightly ambiguous language that leaves some room for interpretation for law enforcement and licensing agencies. Terms such as “non-reflective” or “not excessive” are impossible to measure and do not have the same meaning for each person. Use your best discretion, but it may be better to stay on the safe side to avoid headaches in the future. One of them is vision. A film that is too dark, especially on the windshield or front tinted windows, can limit visibility and reduce safety. There is only one state that allows people to tint their windows to any proportion of color: Michigan. On the contrary, there are seven states and one county that only allow a lighter hue on car windows (California, Iowa, Alaska, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Washington DC). Three other states do not allow tinted cars at all (New Jersey, Vermont and New Hampshire). State laws often include specific exceptions, such as a darker tint on the rear windows if the vehicle has side mirrors on either side. In addition, most states have provisions that allow exceptions for medical reasons, such as conditions that make people sensitive to light. It is important to understand the reasons for window tint restrictions. There are a few main factors.
One important thing to keep in mind is that most vehicles have a light transmission lock directly from the factory, measuring between 70 and 80%. This must be taken into account when adding a custom shade in order to stay within the legal limits. While window tint offers many benefits, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. One problem is the fact that it can be difficult to see through your windows if your hue is too dark. Check out our window hue percentages page to get a glimpse of what a certain percentage shade will look like. In addition, the illegal tint makes it too difficult for law enforcement to see inside vehicles. Generally, this can pose a danger to police officers and vehicle occupants. * Table and image source: instamotor.com/blog/window-tinting-laws-50-states States that are more forgiving with tinted colors, meaning they allow certain colored hues, include, but are not limited to: Most states allow an extra hue above this line, but not below. It is illegal to have an extra tint on the windshield in a handful of states (Minnesota, New Jersey and Pennsylvania). Like North Dakota and Ohio, other states allow dyeing anywhere on the windshield as long as the VLT is above 70%. As with tinted windows, the color of the tint depends on the state in which a person is currently located.
Still, some states are more lenient when it comes to colored hues, and some are stricter. Despite each state`s laws regarding shades, there`s one main reason someone is allowed to have tints on their windows: for medical purposes. Some of the medical conditions that allow individuals to add tint to their cars include: VLT%: Visible light transmission is the measure used to evaluate the tint of car windows. This is the percentage of visible light passing through the film (Film-VLT%) or window plus the film mesh VLT. The lower the VLT, the darker the shade. Line AS-1: This is the line that extends from the letters AS-1, which are found on most motor vehicle windshields and are parallel to the top of the windshield. Windshield: Your windshield cannot be tinted in any condition, but some states allow you to put a sticker on top of the windshield, usually in the area of the manufacturer`s sun visor. Below is a full breakdown of car window tint laws and percentages of legal tint from state to state.
Use this chart to find out which shade is the right choice for you. When reading these tinted car laws, remember that window tint percentages refer to the amount of light that is allowed in. This is also known as visible light transmission percentage (VLT). Windshield tint laws refer to how much windshield can be legally tinted or how much tint is allowed on the entire windshield, depending on state regulations. Please note that the accuracy, completeness, relevance or timeliness of the content is not guaranteed. We are not lawyers or law firms and do not provide legal advice. We recommend that you consult a lawyer or other appropriate professional if you wish to obtain legal advice. Click on your state below for more information about car window tint laws in that state. Yes, window tinting is legal in most states as long as you don`t dye darker than the permitted visible light transmission. Simply click on the name of the state for which you want more information about color protection laws, and you`ll be redirected to a comprehensive guide to that state`s rules and regulations. If you notice incorrect data, please inform us via our contact page. There are no federal laws governing the colour of the windshield.
States design and implement all window film regulations. The color level that a condition allows varies and may be different for each window in the car. At windowtintlaws.us, our goal is not only to provide you with current window tint laws by state, but we also want to help you choose the right brand of tint, learn the benefits of tinting your windows, find a reputable window tint store near you, and even teach you how to design your own window tint if you`re feeling ambitious.
