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. The laws governing tinted glass vary from state to state, window to window. This map shows the permitted degree of window tint in all 50 states. It is important to understand the reasons for window tint restrictions. There are a few main factors. 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. The automotive window tinting industry has exploded in recent years, and for good reason.
Right next to fantastic vinyl sheets, stylish wheels and an audio system that shakes the world, tinted windows are indeed one of the most popular upgrades for your vehicle. Whether for medical reasons, to provide comfort from the scorching sun, or simply cosmetic, it is important to ensure that the tint of your windows is legal according to the guidelines of your state. 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 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. Translucent film does not offer the same intimacy or style. If your motivation for buying a window shade is related to these reasons, you`re probably interested in knowing the limitations of the dark shade. Yes, window tinting is legal in most states as long as you don`t dye darker than the permitted visible light transmission. Perhaps the most important benefit of window film is protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, which can be more dangerous than you think. Did you know that skin cancer is more common on the left side of the driver`s face, which is exposed to the sun more regularly than on the right? We`ve put together all the information you need to make sure your tinted windows are legal.
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. Law enforcement agencies use tint meters that measure the amount of light passing through the glass. The amount of light is measured in % known as VLT (Visible Light Transmission). An easy way to make sure you have a legal window tint is to take your vehicle to a reputable installer. You will be able to perform calculations with your existing hue and reach the darkest level allowed. Most states make exceptions for medical reasons. Certain diseases and conditions make people sensitive to light, and most laws have provided for these cases. If that`s you, you can apply a darker shade than the state usually allows, but you`ll need to have a medical certificate in your car. Limousine tint usually refers to a 5% tint that blocks 95% of the light.
Whether the limousine shade is legal or illegal depends on the windows you apply it to and the condition you live in. Refer to the table above to see which dark shade is legal in your state. For the windshield, most states do not allow the extra tint under the AS-1 line. These are often indicated on the windshield, about half a foot from the top. They usually coincide with the point where a lowered sun visor in the car touches the windshield. Simply drag the slider down to select the hue level of the Darkness (VLT) window, which appears below as a percentage. If you want to tint your car windows (or even tint them yourself), you should check your state`s window tint laws. As with many regulations, window tint laws vary from state to state and can be nuanced and difficult to understand. It may not be a problem if your car has never left the state and will never leave, but it can get complicated for those who travel a lot, buy vehicles out of state, or travel around the country.
If it`s you, you`ve come to the right place. We offer professional windshield blinds and ensure that your vehicle meets all legal requirements. Contact us today for a free quote. 30% are considered medium dark tones. The darkest shade usually available is 5%, which prevents 95% of the light from transmitting. 50% and above is considered clear. 30% is exactly in the middle, which is why it is a medium shade and one of the most popular shades for front side windows. * Table and image source: instamotor.com/blog/window-tinting-laws-50-states 5% is the darkest percentage of window hue you find generally available. There are manufacturers who make films as dark as 2%. First, some translucent window films can offer the same UV protection as the darkest shade. The same goes for the ability to keep heat outside. State limits for front windows range from any shade (Michigan) to completely illegal (New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont).
All other countries set a percentage of VLTs between 20 and 70. Now that you know what the legal level of window tint is in your state, you can be sure you`re getting the right amount that meets your needs. And you can rest assured that your vehicle will not break any laws. Windshield: Presumably, the NR tint is allowed above the AS-1 line. If the law specifies only the AS-1 line, AS-1 is displayed. If AS-1 or specified inches is displayed, AS-1 is assumed and only the number of inches below is displayed. (Note: NR is used instead of “No, All, or a specific percentage” when the law allows unspecified “non-obstructive” or “transparent” dye materials. In these cases, the legality of the hue inevitably depends on the discretion of each official. The best way to make your hue darker is to remove the existing window tone and replace it with a darker window tone. You can overlay tint upon tint, but this is not recommended and in most cases, the tint guarantee is zero. VLT%: Visible light transmission is the measure used to evaluate automotive window tints.
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.