Virginia Window Tint Laws
In Virginia, window tinting on cars and trucks is popular, stylish and practical for reducing the amount of sunlight and heat that enters vehicles through the windows. Unfortunately, window tint can also obstruct the view of vehicle operators, public safety officers and rescue service personnel. As a result, the state of Virginia has passed state laws governing the use of window tint on vehicles being operated within the state jurisdiction.
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Function
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The Virginia Window Tint Law controls how dark window tint can be on any vehicle window surface and how reflective window tint can be on the front side and back side windows. The tint law also mandates the restriction of specific colors of tint and the usage of decals and stickers on window surfaces.
Tint VLT
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Darkness of tint is measured by a factor of how much light is allowed to pass through the window surface. This measurement is termed the Visible Light Transmission Percentage (VLT percentage). In Virginia, the tint law requires at least 50 percentage VLT through the front-side windows and 35 percentage VLT through the back-side and rear windows. Non-reflective tint is only allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturers' AS-1 line (line at which auto glass or automotive manufacturers label windshields as AS-1, which stands for approved safety glass).
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Reflectivity
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Just like some sun glass lenses, window tint may contain metallic elements that allow it to reflect some light as well as filter it. This effect can significantly reduce heat transmission through the window glass. Virginia Tint Law requires that the front-side and back-side windows be no more than 20 percent reflective. There is no recorded restriction of tint reflectivity on the rear window.
Restricted Tint Colors
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Virginia regulations for window tint exclude the usage of red, amber or yellow tint. These colors can interfere with the vehicle operators' ability to read and interpret street signs and traffic lights as well as the brake and signal lights of other vehicles on the road. This would inevitably create a public danger to everyone on the road.
Other Restrictions
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If driving a vehicle that uses window tinting on the rear window, you must also have a rear view mirror on the left and right side of the vehicle that can reflect at least 200 feet to the rear of the car or truck. Any stickers or decals must comply with the VLT and reflectivity requirements of standard window tint.
Manufacturers are not required to certify the tinting film they sell in the state of Virginia, so be certain that any tint film you purchase or have installed conforms to these regulations.
Enforcement
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Any violation of the restrictions of the Virginia Tint Law will be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and a class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.
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