The law regulates the tinting of car windows. After-market tinting which is tinting of the car windows after the car has been bought or sold and not by the manufacturer is regulated on grounds of where to tint, as well as how much you can tint your car’s windows. So, is it illegal to have tinted windows?
Firstly, there are certain demographics that can be exempt from the restrictions of car window tinting by law. For instance, the law does not restrict ambulances to tint their windows.
That said before you can tint your car windows it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer and find out the regulations in your state.
For easier navigation throughout this post, please use our table of contents below.
- Window Tint
- Tint Percentages
- Tinted Windows Law
- Colored Window Tint
- Darkest Legal Tint
- Tint Removal Cost
- Frequently Asked Questions
Window Tint
Many drivers often wonder is it illegal to have tinted windows? Firstly, are some advantages that come with car window tinting. For instance, blocking harmful ultraviolet rays as well as reducing the glare, and providing better visibility during bright days.
When trying to find the ideal tint for your car and for your specific needs, things can get a bit tricky. This is especially when trying to find out the amount of tint that is permissible in your state.
The best way to approach this is to start by identifying your specific needs, checking what type of tint is available as well as checking state regulations and laws on tinting.
Continue reading to find out the different types of tint that are available to you and their pros and cons.
Legal Window Tint Percentage
One thing to keep in mind is that the law requires the front window or windshield to have no tint at all. It would therefore be breaking the law if you were to put even the slightest tint on the front windshield. Drivers cannot also tint their side mirrors.
So, is it illegal to have tinted windows? Yes, if you are talking about the windshield and side mirrors. If you have been thinking about tinting the windshield or side mirrors of that new Tesla, it’s not a good idea.
Keep in mind also that the laws that apply to a driver are those from his home state where the vehicle is registered. Outside of the state, the driver need not comply with the new laws. Complying with their home state laws will prevent the driver from citation even in the new state.
The windshield isn’t the only window on your car that is restricted from tinting. Others include the tail lights, the side view mirrors as well as the rearview mirrors. It is also important to note that if you are choosing to color tint your car, there are those colors that are banned such as red or yellow.
In every state in the United States, an officer of the law has the right to stop you in case they feel like your vehicle has been tinted in a way that he or she feels is breaking the law.
In case you are found not complying with the law, you can be jailed or get a fine of anywhere between $500 and $5000 depending on which state you are in.
You can also be ordered to take out the tint.
Pros Of Tinting
Brand new cars come with their own basic tinting. That said, many drivers still prefer to do after-market tinting to maximize the benefits. There are plenty of options from the shade of the tint, the color, as well as where to tint your vehicle.
One of the obvious advantages of tinting is that it provides a certain look and style to your vehicle giving it a personal flair. Secondly, tint also provides your car with added security and safety. This is because tinted vehicles are less appealing to thieves as they can’t see what is inside.
This is even if there are valuable items left on the seats.
Another major benefit of tinting is that it offers protection from the ultra-violate rays of the sun. These can be damaging not just to the passengers but also to the car’s interior and upholstery.
Furthermore, tinting will keep out the sun and thus help to keep the temperatures inside your Mustang cool in the summer. On the other hand, tinting is a way to also keep the heat inside during cold days.
Moreover, tinting helps to reduce the glare and help provide a much safer driving experience. Due to this fact, tinting is popular even with older drivers.
Different Types Of Car Window Tint
There are plenty of options available to those who want to tint their cars. Each of these options comes with its own benefits as well as drawbacks.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Dyed Tint
This type of tint is the most accessible and least expensive type of tint.
With the dyed window tinting there are multiple layers of dyed film. Their role is to absorb the sunlight as it hits the windows preventing it from getting through.
It is possible to adjust these levels and choose the tint based on what level of darkness you would like to achieve.
But there is a downside. The dyed tint isn’t able to provide the best level of UV protection especially compared to the other option available. The capacity for sun blocking is quite limited. More so, dyed tint is susceptible to fading over time.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Metalized Tint
The reason for their name is because they have metallic microparticles. This allows the tint to reflect away the light instead of blocking the light or absorbing the light. What’s more, metalized tints do a better job at keeping out the UV light than dyed tinting.
The metalized tint is resistant to scratches. Furthermore, this type of tinting adds structural support making the window even stronger than before. This means that they are less likely to shatter in case of impact.
Another benefit of this type of tinting is the metallic shin is attractive to some and can help give your car a personal flare.
On the other hand, metallic particles will interfere with communication signals such as GPS and radio. So if you want to enjoy music as you drive around in your new Buick, then this is something to keep in mind.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Hybrid Tint
As the name suggests, the hybrid is a combination of different materials in this case a combination of metal particles and dye. There are a number of dyed layers of tinting that are contained within a metals layer. This type of metal is often titanium.
With the hybrid tints, you can minimize the negative effects of dyes and metallic tinting while enjoying the best of both worlds.
Simply put, you will deal with much less radio interference while avoiding the mirror-like reflective look.
Furthermore, hybrid tints are less expensive compared to metallic tints and are more expensive compared to dyed tints.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Carbon Tints
The carbon tints are constructed out of carbon fiber particles. Unlike with dyed tints, you will not have to worry about the tint fading with time. Furthermore, carbon tints are far more effective at blocking UV rays.
Moreover, you will also get stronger insulating with carbon tinting. Not only is it able to keep the UV radiation ut, but it is also able to hold the heat in. It can help raise the internal temperature of the car during those cool days by upwards of 40%.
On the flip side, carbon tinting is quite expensive compared to the other types of tint. It is however more durable and this can justify the high prices.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Ceramic Tinting
Ceramic tinting is an even higher quality product than carbon tinting. As there are no metallic particles or no dyes, it is able to provide up to 99% UV ray blocking. Furthermore, you will never have to worry about the tint losing condition over time.
Since ceramic is not a heat conductor, this type of tint is able to block out the heat and keep the car’s internal temperature relatively cool on hot days. It’s a good choice if you plan to take a road trip in your fast muscle car on a hot day.
This also means ensuring that the car’s interior is kept safe from the damaging effects of the UV rays
Another added benefit of the ceramic tinting is that it also keeps the window shatterproof similar to the metallic tint. It is also highly effective at keeping out the glare while not being too dark. In fact, you can opt for a lighter shade with ceramic tinting and still avoid the glare.
As far as cost goes, ceramic tinting is the most expensive.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – Other Options
The above are just the more common type of tints but are by no mean the only type of tint available. Other options include crystalline tints. This type of tint can help keep out the glare yet remain completely transparent.
Granted that outside will be able to view inside. That said, it is an excellent choice for people who don’t mind transparent windows but want to enjoy the benefits of tint.
Note that you can also tint the windows in your home or office.
Window Tint Percentages
Other than the benefits of improving the look of your vehicle, window tinting is able to reduce glare and therefore provide a much safer driving experience.
Furthermore, you are able to ensure privacy inside the car and therefore improve your car’s protection.
But what is the ideal window tint percentage to go for and is it illegal to have tinted windows?
There is a wide variety of window tint percentages that range from 5% to 90%. The lower the tint percentage, the darker the window tint and vice versa.
Let’s now take a look at some window tint percentages.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – 50% And 35% Window Tint
A window tint percentage of 50% will block half of the UV rays. It is sufficient to keep out the heat from the UV radiation as well as bring down the glare and reduce straining of the eyes.
Is it illegal to have tinted windows with this level of tint? No, in most states you will be allowed by law to add 50% to 35% window tinting.
That said, if you prefer a more stylish look to your car, you may just want to consider the 35% window tinting. Of course, you will get a much darker appearance yet you will not affect the visibility. Simply put, you will be able to see outside the window.
Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows – 20% And Below
If you are looking to hit the best balance between looks as well as the darkness of the tint, a 20% tint will fit the bill. With the 20% tint, you will not be able to see inside the car when you are on the outside even if you tried to look inside when you are very close to the window.
Is it illegal to have tinted windows with 20% tinting and below? Yes!
Most states will not allow tinting of 20% or below as it is too dark and could cause hazardous driving.
One of the major benefits of the 20% tint is that it will keep onlookers at bay as well as potential criminals from seeing what is inside your car. After all, criminals do not want to get caught struggling to see what you have inside the car so they will likely stay away from such a tinted car.
Secondly, when criminals cannot see what is inside the car, they are unsure whether the effort is worth it. Some would rather go for a different car.
5% is the lowest tint and it is illegal in many states across the United States. This is because it is too dark. That said, limousines are often seen in this type of window tint.
Tinted Windows Law
If you want the windows of your car to get tinted or even if you want to tint the windows yourself, it is important to start by checking the laws and regulations in your state.
It is therefore an important first step to learning why is it illegal to have tinted windows.
These laws will be different from one state to the next and many can often seem hard to understand.
That said, if you don’t plan on driving your car out of state, this may not be an issue. However, if you travel often, you may have a hard time with the laws in different states.
Luckily, you can find a consolidation of all the laws in the country on car tinting. This will help ensure that you are always within the law with your car tinting.
The Terminology
Let’s start out with the terms that you will need to be aware of to be able to interpret the different laws in your state on tinting.
VLT – Visible light transmission. It refers to the amount of visible light that is able to get through the tint. The level of light that can pass through both the window and the film is the net VLT. The higher the VLT the lighter the tint and vice versa.
Front side window tint level – This refers to the level of tint VLT that is permissible on the front passenger as well as the driver windows. This is often a much higher value than you will get on the rear windows. It makes it possible for the driver of the car to be visible when outside.
Rear side window tint level –This refers to the level of tint VLT that is permissible on the rear window. Often the value is similar to the rear side windows. That said there are states that are much more restrictive.
Windshield – It is not permissible in any state across the country to tint the windshield. That said there are states that will let you add a sticker at the top end of the windshield. This is often where the manufacturer’s sun shield is located.
Color – State laws when it comes to tinting vary widely. There are some states that don’t offer any restrictions on the tint color while other states will offer restrictions. Other states will offer restrictions as to the type of color as well as misread finishes.
AS-1 Line – This is the line that is going in the majority of motor vehicles that runs parallel on top of the windshield and extends from the AS-1.
Colored Window Tint
One of the ways that you can show off your personality is through the use of color. What’s more, including color in your car can help change the driving experience.
And while you may think that the only option you have is to add color to the body of the car, think again as you can also try out multiple color options.
One of the advantages of tinting your windows is that you are able to get a really professional look. Furthermore, you can give off the vibe of fun-loving as well as showcase your own style.
The most important thing is to check the local regulations and to ensure that you stay within them and that you don’t break any laws.
So if you’ve been wondering is it illegal to have tinted windows, then you should know that there are certain tinted colors that the law doesn’t allow.
Darkest Legal Tint
One of the more popular types of tint with drivers is the darkest legal. This is because it boosts the look of your vehicle while at the same time providing privacy for both the drivers and the passengers.
On top of that, there is also the added benefit of reducing glare.
But what is the darkest legal exactly? Is it a single tint percentage? Let’s find out.
What Is The Darkest Legal Tint – Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows
It is the governing body for roads that determines the darkest legal limit. This is the safest yet darkest level of tint that drivers can have.
The darkest legal refers to the minimum light levels that can pass through the windows of your car. The darkest legal is gotten using a light meter.
The less the light percentage transmission, the darker the window will be. This then means that a window that is completely clear would give a light meter reading of 100%.
On the other end of the spectrum, a window that is completely tinted and black will give a light reading of 0% on the light meter.
For instance, the law in some states will require a light transmissions minimum of 35% when it comes to the front passenger windows and the driver’s windows and it will require a minimum of 20% for the windows that are behind the driver.
So, is it illegal to have tinted windows in this case? Yes, if it goes against the darkest legal regulations.
Often many people will assume that in order of getting a 35% light transmission, all that you need to do is add a film that has a light transmission of 35%. Keep in mind however that car glass isn’t always clear so therefore, it’s important to realize that the transmission of light will also include glass as well as the film.
Tint Removal Cost
In case you want to buy a car that has tinted windows or in case you did that the tint on your car’s windows is peeling, bubbling, or even fading, you may find the need to remove the tint from your car’s windows.
If you don’t have the skills to do the job yourself, you may end up causing a mess and regretting the whole scenario. Often you will find that it is a much better choice to leave the issue to the professionals.
The cost of tint removal will often be anywhere from $90 and $250. This will have all the tint removed from all the windows of your car.
However, if you want to take out the tint from just one window, you should be ready to spend anywhere from $35 to $60.
FAQs On Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows
Why Is It Illegal To Have Tinted Windows
Tinting your car windows comes with its benefits. For one, it can help reduce the glare and prevent people from staring inside the car. That said, having a dark tint can cause major safety as well as security hazards not just for the driver but also to others sharing the road. This is why the law will dictate the acceptable tint percentage.
Is 5 Tint Legal
No, most states will prohibit the use of 5 tints. That said, the windshield should never have any tint.
What Is Tinting
Tinting refers to the process of adding a dark laminate sheet to a car’s windows to darken the window. It is done for a variety of reasons such as reducing the UV radiation getting into the car as well as for security purposes.
How Much Is It To Tint Windows
The good thing with adding tint to your car windows is that regardless of the car brand, it is not an expensive process. Generally, it will cost you anywhere from $100 to 400 to tint all of your car’s windows.
