Automobile Window Tint Laws
Tinting the glass on your vehicle substantially decreases the inside temperature as well as helping to cut down on glare. But there are specific laws for each state that must be followed.
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State Laws
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Each state dictates specific restrictions for auto glass tinting. It's very important to follow these rules to avoid potential citations, in some cases, even when just traveling through a state other than the state in which the vehicle is registered.
Glass Areas
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Many states allow different percentages of light transmission (known as VLT, "Visible Light Transmission") through the glass areas depending on where the glass is located on the vehicle. For example, front side and rear side windows may have a different legal percentage than the back window or the "visor" area of the windshield (the top 4 inches to 6 inches of the windshield).
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Net vs. Film
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Other terminology helpful when adding window tinting are the "Net" or "Film" percentage, which refers to the amount of light that must be able to pass through the tinted window. Most states measure the "Net" amount of light passing through both the glass and tinting film, while others measure the amount of light passing through the tint film only.
MPVs
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MPVs are recreational vehicles, pickup trucks and SUVs. Most states have specific regulations for SUV tinting and for other MPV vehicles as the window configuration may be quite different from the average passenger car. Be sure to check on the specific rules for MVPs if that's the type of vehicle you're working on.
Check Your State's Laws
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Because there is not a national definitive answer to "How dark can the tint be on my vehicle," it's critical to check your own state's regulations before installing auto glass tinting. Most state motor vehicle division websites will list the percentage of blocked light allowable for each window on your vehicle.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of JOHN LLOYD
