What is Window Tint on Your Car?
Car window tinting is the application of a thin layer of material to the glass windows of your car. The window tint serves as a protective and cosmetic cover over the car window. It can help to enhance the exterior of a vehicle while providing safety, protection, and privacy to its occupants. It can also provide respite from the sun as well as increased energy efficient, by cutting down on excessive wear to both your car’s interior and your air conditioning system.
The materials most commonly used in car window tinting include polyester film and shade polycarbonate film. They are available in a variety of styles and tints , ranging from light to very dark.
There are many reasons why individuals choose to have their car windows tinted. Perhaps the most common reasons include aesthetic value, energy savings, UV protection, shatter prevention, glare reduction, and privacy. Individuals, especially those who own campervans or recreational vehicles, also tend to use car window tinting as a means of protecting their pets while they drive. This can also serve as an additional form of shade for children in the backseat.
Why Are There Laws Governing Window Tint?
The legal tint for car windows is not just some arbitrary number; it is designed to maintain the safety of you, your passengers and other drivers on the road. While tinted windows can help keep the heat out of your vehicle, block UV rays and improve the overall look of your car, they also obscure vision.
Therefore, police around the country require the front windshield to have a certain amount of light penetrate the glass, which typically lands between 70 and 80 percent, depending on state law. The back windows and rear windshield, however, must allow 70 to 90 percent of light through. With these requirements in mind, you can easily see how the window tint and light amount must be considered within the context of the vehicle as a whole.
Keep in mind that, even when accounting for how the tint is measured, there can be some discrepancies between the tint on factory windows and the tint on aftermarket ones. For example, if you buy a car from an in-state dealership, it might come with tinted windows that allow 85 percent of light though, which is technically illegal in some states like Tennessee, Rhode Island and New Mexico. If you then have your windows redone after purchase, it would be illegal to have your new aftermarket windows tinted to allow just 70 percent of light through, as the tint would be darker than that already on the car.
It might seem trivial, but even cutting that extra five to 15 percent light penetration can result in a fine, citation or penalty. In Phoenix, for example, the court will impose a civil penalty of $20 for the first violation, and $50 for subsequent violations. It is important to note that you can be fined both for not having a legal amount of tint on your windows, and for not having the correct amount of tint.
Though getting pulled over for not having legal tint is perhaps unlikely, depending on where you live, it is still a risk. If you do end up getting a ticket, you might be able to avoid the fine by making the necessary adjustments. This is another good reason to make sure that any installer you hire to add window film to your vehicle provides you with a certificate that details the type of film used, as well as its VLT percentages, as these figures will be required for specific tint citations.
General Tint Laws in the Various States
State tint regulations vary, and they narrow down the types and shades of tint that can be legally used on vehicles based on window location (i.e. front, rear, or side windows). For example, the state may permit a darker tint on the rear windows than on the front windows. Additionally, the tinted glass’s acceptable Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage, which refers to how much light is allowed to penetrate the tinted window, will also range from state to state.
VLT laws also differ with regard to the percentage of tinted windows required to be fitted. The law may require that 35% VLT tint be added to the tinted windows, or some other fraction of a percentage. While the varying tinting laws across states may appear cumbersome, they usually don’t pose a problem as long as one makes an effort to buy the correct window tint for their state.
How to Test If Your Car’s Tint Meets Regulations
Before setting out, it’s a good idea to perform a simple test on each window making sure the tint meets minimum legal requirements. First, stand just outside the vehicle with the driver’s side front window down if you have rear tinted windows. Then, raise your hand up to the glove compartment. If you can clearly see your hand through the window, your tint offers little protection or privacy.
You could also test the tint darkness using a light meter or have nighttime photos taken to determine the level of reflection on the window from outside sources. The darkness of the film is the primary thing law enforcement officers and testing equipment use to measure the legal level of tint. However, many other factors such as weather and lighting conditions affect visibility, which is why an average is used for the specific window in question.
The best way to make sure your tinted windows pass inspection is to visit a certified inspection technician. They have been trained to examine your vehicle and record any violations in a detailed report on certificate form VTR-69. While getting a certificate is not a requirement to register your vehicle for the road, it will eliminate all the guesswork for you. If your tinted windows don’t pass inspection, they will have the tools to properly measure the reflectivity and darkness of your tint.
Exemptions to the Rule
In certain circumstances, exemptions to the generally applicable tint regulations may be granted. Window tint exemptions are typically issued for a small number of circumstances, the most common being for a driver or passenger with a medical condition that requires protection from excess exposure to damage from solar rays or for persons that have received medical treatment for certain types of skin cancer.
The exceptions are on a case-by-case basis. If you have a particular medical need , it is best to get a note from your doctor describing the nature of the condition and the reason for the exemption. When applying for the exemption, you may be required to tint all vehicle windows except the windshield to a Light Transmittance of 70% allowable.
An exemption will usually only be granted for the front driver and passenger windows and/or the windshield. Some jurisdictions may also scrap the sticker for exemption applicant.
Car tint applicants do not need an exemption if you have a prescription for dark lenses due to a medical condition that puts you at an elevated risk of solar damage to the eyes.
Determining the Correct Level of Tint for Your Vehicle
Navigating the various types of window tint available on the market can be a daunting task. The most common types of tint are dyed, metallized, carbon, and ceramic films. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages for each type of tint might help you make the decision easier. Once you learn the general characteristics of these window tint, you might determine a preference based upon your needs.
If you want window tint to help you reduce UV rays and heat, you should consider metallized and ceramic tints. If you want more privacy, dyed or metallized tint might be your best choice. If you use electronics in your car or truck, however, you should avoid metallized tint. For the people who desire a darker appearance, dyed tint is the best option.
Most reputable tinting companies provide free estimates that include darkened or non-reflective tint options. This means that you might add tinted film on all windows in your vehicle. In some states, however, the use of tinted film on various parts of a motor vehicle may be prohibited. For instance, you should not place the film on the windshield, if it is specifically prohibited by the law in your state. Moreover, even if film is allowed to be placed on the windshield, it must normally be tinted to a certain percentage to allow for visual clarity. If you attempt to install the film on your own with little or no assistance, you may not comprehend this information about the tint in your state.
How and Where to Install Tint Film
Whether you are having your car tinted by a professional or attempting the task yourself, there are several best practices that can be followed to ensure the best possible results. A quality product from a trusted manufacturer, like those listed above, is essential to begin with. Then, the process must be done methodically and with the right care and attention to detail. Rushing through the process or cutting corners is a sure way to meet with failure. When having tint applied professionally, ask about their process. Are they using a professional-grade tint made specifically for automotive glass? You want to be sure that the tint film is designed for use on vehicles, not homes, boats, or commercial buildings. Make sure the job generally fits in your budget range as well. If it seems too good to be true , it probably is, so beware. If you are going to install your window tint yourself, view several instructional videos and read tutorials and guides on the internet about the topic first to be sure you understand the work ahead of you. Then, gather an electrical hair dryer, squeegee, and quality utility knife. When buying your tint, request the type that has been pre-cut to fit the specific windows in your car model. Also, make sure you understand what steps shall be taken to ensure windshield tint is compliant with state laws, as noted above. Dry application is often better than wet, so follow the instructions carefully for the best results. That seemingly extra expense for the pre-cut tint may be money well spent since it makes the work easier and ensures a professional look.