Window Tinting Laws: Avoid the Ticket and Save Money

Many people begin their research on car window tinting by examining the benefits it provides in appearance and cost and then call it a day. But it’s important to also consider the laws regarding car window tinting and to ensure the tint options you’ve chosen are within the legal limits for your area. This will help you avoid future problems with law enforcement as well as nasty and costly fines. Many states share a common ground when it comes to tinting laws and taking the time to familiarize yourself with the foundation will help avoid a “fix it” ticket. Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%) is one of the most common measuring guidelines used by local enforcement. This is basically exactly what it sounds like – it represents how much light is visible through your windows once they are tinted. Some states require that a minimum of 50% of light be visible through the windshield and front windows, while less light is required in the back. This also applies to how reflective the tinting film can be. rnWhen researching the laws concerning window tinting in your state, you will often see the question concerning how reflective window tinting can be without violating the law. A good way to determine how reflective your tint can be in your state, is to think about your tint reflection in terms of sunglass lenses. Some of the tinting film is allowed to contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light in order to reduce the glare and heat generated by visible light. The reflective level of the tinting in most states must not exceed the reflective level of the standard windows on both the front side and back side windows. Another issue can be the color of the tint film itself. As an example, the color red or amber is prohibited in Nevada. In some states there needs to be a sticker identifying legal tinting between the tint film and the window. Take the time to carefully review the regulations for your state. These laws can be found online, by calling your local law enforcement as well as speaking to your local window tinting professionals. You may be wondering why these regulations are in place. The answer is that they are enforced for your safety as well as the safety of other drivers. A highly reflective tint can cause glare to other drivers as the sunlight bounces off your windows and right into their eyes. This is why it’s important to take a good look into these laws, you’ll be helping yourself, as well as those around you.