Understanding Window Tint Laws: A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Tinting and Its Benefits
Those who want their cars to look better, protect themselves from harmful UV rays, and increase privacy usually go for window tinting. Knowing the window tint laws in your state will ensure that your automobile is compliant and help you avoid fines. Premier vehicle wrap shop in Michigan, Elite Restyling, focuses on window tint, paint protection film (PPF), and car wrap installation. This blog will review the legislation controlling window tinting in every state, its advantages, and its relevance.
The Value of Window Tint
Window tinting goes beyond simple design preference. Among its various functional advantages are:
The View of Window Tint
Window tinting can make your car look grand and elegant. It can improve its general appearance, giving it a more polished, high-end appeal. Window tinting will change the look of your vehicle, whether your preferred hue is subtle or darker.
Window Tint: What is it?
Window tint is a thin coating applied to the windows inside your car. It is made of polyester and other materials that block UV light, lessen glare, and offer privacy. The tint varies in tones and degrees of darkness, so you may select the ideal hue for your purpose.
Elite Restyling Installers Window Tint for Vehicles
Elite Restyling offers professional window tinting for every kind of car. Using premium materials, their knowledgeable experts guarantee a perfect finish that satisfies legal criteria. They can help you with anything from enhancing your car's appearance to boosting privacy and UV ray protection.
Why is there regulated window tint?
Window tint laws help guarantee passenger and driver safety. Particularly at night, too dark tints might limit visibility, impairing drivers' ability to see clearly and raising the risk of accidents. Law enforcement personnel must also be able to view inside vehicles for safety concerns. Therefore, every state has specific rules controlling the degree of tint permitted on a car's windows.
Knowing VLT and Other Essential Tinting Terminology
Before reading specific state laws, it's important to grasp the fundamental vocabulary used in such rules:
- VLT% (Visible Light Transmission): This is the proportion of visible light your car's windows let inside. A lower VLT% means the tint is darker. Check out our full guide on window tint percentages, to fully understand the difference!
- Front Side Window Tint Level: The VLT% allowed for your front passenger and driver windows.
- Rear-Side Window Tint Level: The VLT% range allowed for your back passenger windows.
- Rear Window Tint Level: Displays the allowed VLT% for the rear window.
- Windshield Tint Level: Regulations are stricter here; most states restrict tinting below the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
- AS-1 Line: Usually found on windshields, this line shows the maximum allowable tint application.
Examining the differences in tint laws among all states:
| State | Front Glass | Rear Glass Sides | Rear Glass Window | Windshield |
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6" |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 30% | 5" |
| Arizona | 33% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% | 10% | 5" |
| California | 70% | ANY | ANY | 4" |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% | 4" |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | ANY | AS1 |
| Delaware | 70% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| District of Columbia | 70% | 50% | 50% | 5"/AS1 |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | AS1 |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6" |
| Hawaii | 32% | 35% | 35% | 70% Light |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | AS1 |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6" |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | AS1 |
| Iowa | 70% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | AS1 |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | AS1 |
| Maine | 35% | ANY | ANY | 4" |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5" |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6" |
| Michigan | 4" | ANY | ANY | 4" |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | NONE |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | AS1 |
| Missouri | 35% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | AS1 |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | 5"/AS1 |
| Nevada | 35% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| New Hampshire | NONE | 35% | 35% | 6" |
| New Jersey | NONE | ANY | ANY | NONE |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | 5"/AS1 |
| New York | 70% | 70% | ANY | 6" |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| North Dakota | 50% | ANY | ANY | <70% |
| Ohio | 50% | ANY | ANY | <70% |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | 5"/AS1 |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6" |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | NONE |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | AS1 |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 70% | AS1 |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 27% | AS1 |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 20% | AS1 |
| Texas | 25% | 25% | 35% | 5"/AS1 |
| Utah | 43% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Vermont | NONE | ANY | 32% | 32% |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | 6" |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5" |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | 5"/AS1 |
Legal Benefits of Window Tinting
Improving Vehicle Attractiveness
The window tint will affect how sophisticated and fashionable your car will look. It provides your car with a flawless finish that complements its look and distinguishes it.
Enhanced Privacy
By making it impossible for anyone to view inside your car, window tinting provides an additional degree of privacy. Those who regularly leave valuables in their cars may particularly benefit from this.
UV Protection
Up to 99% of dangerous UV rays is blocked by tinted windows, so shielding your skin and lowering your risk of interior fading and cracking. This increases the lifetime of your car and helps its inside to seem new.
Reducing Heat
By blocking a lot of solar heat, window tints help to keep your automobile cooler. This can lower demand for air conditioning and increase fuel economy.
We Use Top Quality Products
Elite Restyling partners with top suppliers to offer premium window tint films for all vehicle types. To see the high-quality films we use for our customers, visit Metro Restyling's Window Tint Film Collection. Metro Restyling provides a wide range of window tint options that combine style, UV protection, and durability like Avery Dennison Automotive Window Tint Film.
Use This Guide, And Get Window Tints From Us!
Staying in compliance and avoiding fines depends on knowing the window tint rules particular to every state. From looking better to increasing privacy and UV protection, window tinting has several advantages for your car. Elite Restyling provides professional window tint installation, ensuring all legal criteria are met. Contact us today to schedule your installation and enjoy premium window tinting.
FAQ
Q: How do I find out if my window tint is legal in my state?
A: Every state has specific window tint laws. Check your state's regulations or consult with a professional installer like Elite Restyling.
Q: Can I get a medical exemption for darker window tint?
A: Some states allow medical exemptions for additional UV protection. Check with your state's DMV for details.
Q: Will window tint affect my night visibility?
A: Properly applied window tint should enhance your nighttime vision. However, very dark shades are restricted as they can reduce visibility.
Q: Can I wash my car right after window tinting?
A: It's best to wait a few days before washing your car to allow the tint to fully adhere to the windows. Consult your installer for specific recommendations.