Car Window Tinting
- Thread starter Melissa
- Start date
doc4216
Coastie who high fives
Melissa this is what I found from the ca.gov site:
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the windshield, side, or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
To put those in perspective, limo tint is 5%, so essentially 70-80% is barely any tinting at all. I usually ran a 40%-50% in FL.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the windshield, side, or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
To put those in perspective, limo tint is 5%, so essentially 70-80% is barely any tinting at all. I usually ran a 40%-50% in FL.
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I believe you can go as dark as you want on the rear windows. the driver and front passenger windows are not allowed to have tint on them I am not sure about the doctors note though.
When I lived in Cali I would get a light grey on the driver and front passenger window and in the 20 years I had that I only got hassled about it twice. Once was late at night after clubbing in downtown SJ and I believe the other time was something similar. I was lucky and knew a few police officers who signed off the ticket for me. I did get pulled over by CHP one time and when I rolled the window up he looked at it and I told him it came that way when I bought it and he let me slide. I don't know how strict there are now it was a more relaxed time back then. I also drove without a front license plate forever and only got a ticket once but they were looking to write me up and couldn't find anything else. So maybe I was just lucky back then.
When I lived in Cali I would get a light grey on the driver and front passenger window and in the 20 years I had that I only got hassled about it twice. Once was late at night after clubbing in downtown SJ and I believe the other time was something similar. I was lucky and knew a few police officers who signed off the ticket for me. I did get pulled over by CHP one time and when I rolled the window up he looked at it and I told him it came that way when I bought it and he let me slide. I don't know how strict there are now it was a more relaxed time back then. I also drove without a front license plate forever and only got a ticket once but they were looking to write me up and couldn't find anything else. So maybe I was just lucky back then.
dravnx
Well-known member
c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the windshield if the following conditions apply:
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver’s seat when measured from a point five inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver’s seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the windshield, side, or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver’s seat when measured from a point five inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver’s seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the windshield, side, or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS–14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
splat
Well-known member
It used to be illegal to have any on your front side windows (including windshield) at all, but now you are allowed 70% tint on the front side windows. We had our front side windows tinted close to 40% about 12 years ago and have not had any issues. We actually tint all of our front windows for our safety, it makes it harder for the creeps to “watch” my wife, and I think in otherwise road ragey conditions lots of cars don’t engage because they can’t see whose driving. Of course that’s all anecdotal.
https://www.tinting-laws.com/california/
https://www.tinting-laws.com/california/
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I was curious about the amount of tint allowed in Idaho, since you see a lot more of it here - and in Nevada and Arizona. I asked an officer of the Idaho State Police and he said 35% is allowable. I pointed to a car with about a 50% tint, which I thought would be too much, and he said that was fine. I was amazed that that much tint was legal here.
dravnx
Well-known member
Scott, your Googlefue is weak.
Tint darkness for sedans: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 6 inches. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in. Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Tint darkness for SUV and vans: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 6 inches. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in. Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Source: https://www.tinting-laws.com/idaho/
Copyright © Tinting-Laws.com
Tint darkness for sedans: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 6 inches. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in. Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Tint darkness for SUV and vans: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer's AS-1 line or top 6 inches. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in. Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Source: https://www.tinting-laws.com/idaho/
Copyright © Tinting-Laws.com
The short answer.
No, tint is not allowed in California on the front windshield or front side windows.
Tint is allowed on any windows located behind the driver, as long as the vehicle is equipped with a right side mirror, like most are. The tint can be as light or as dark as you want.
There are some vehicles that only have the minimum of a left side mirror and a rear view mirror. Those vehicles cannot legally have tinted windows. My first car was like this and had no right side mirror. I tinted the rear windows, not aware of that requirement. I had the car for 6 years and was never stopped for the window tint.
Here is a photo from the internet.
As you can see, their lightest example of 80% is too dark to be California compliant. 88% film is for UV protection, and really is a clear colorless film. It has to transmit 70% of light when installed, which includes built in factory glass "tint". This is what a standard window is on a normal car without tint applied + the 88% film = at least 70% light transmission. Applying 70% tint film is not legal. Also, to be legal, one must have a doctor's note with them at all times, or a certificate from the installer with them, at all times, to provide to an officer along with the 88% material installed. The certificate would certify that the material installed was 88% UV blocking California compliant material. I would not call this material tint, because it is clear and colorless. Basically, no one should be able to notice any tint, or darkness to the windows. If I can see that the window is tinted, and it is a windshield or front side window, then it is not legal in California. This isn't just my opinion or interpretation of the law. I've heard this from a judge in traffic court as well. When the law changed to allow the film with a manufacturer letter instead of only a doctor note a few years ago, many news stories claimed that California now allowed front tinted windows, and this is simply not the case. So the confusion is understandable.
No, tint is not allowed in California on the front windshield or front side windows.
Tint is allowed on any windows located behind the driver, as long as the vehicle is equipped with a right side mirror, like most are. The tint can be as light or as dark as you want.
There are some vehicles that only have the minimum of a left side mirror and a rear view mirror. Those vehicles cannot legally have tinted windows. My first car was like this and had no right side mirror. I tinted the rear windows, not aware of that requirement. I had the car for 6 years and was never stopped for the window tint.
Here is a photo from the internet.
As you can see, their lightest example of 80% is too dark to be California compliant. 88% film is for UV protection, and really is a clear colorless film. It has to transmit 70% of light when installed, which includes built in factory glass "tint". This is what a standard window is on a normal car without tint applied + the 88% film = at least 70% light transmission. Applying 70% tint film is not legal. Also, to be legal, one must have a doctor's note with them at all times, or a certificate from the installer with them, at all times, to provide to an officer along with the 88% material installed. The certificate would certify that the material installed was 88% UV blocking California compliant material. I would not call this material tint, because it is clear and colorless. Basically, no one should be able to notice any tint, or darkness to the windows. If I can see that the window is tinted, and it is a windshield or front side window, then it is not legal in California. This isn't just my opinion or interpretation of the law. I've heard this from a judge in traffic court as well. When the law changed to allow the film with a manufacturer letter instead of only a doctor note a few years ago, many news stories claimed that California now allowed front tinted windows, and this is simply not the case. So the confusion is understandable.
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The interior color also plays a huge role in how dark tint looks. When the CHP officer pulled me over and he put his hand behind the window he said it was much lighter than he thought it looked when he passed me in the opposite direction but the interior of the car was a dark grey so it made the tint look ultra-dark when it was just light enough to skate by.
That's not what your link states. It states "Front Side windows: Aftermarket film must allow more than 88% of light in, or minimum 70% VLT if combined with factory-tinted windows.
Source: https://www.tinting-laws.com/california/
Copyright © Tinting-Laws.com"
"Factory tinted windows" refers to a normal clear window from an auto manufacturer. The normal clear windows do block a small percentage of light transmission.
This does not mean you can install 70% tint to the front windows. It means you can install 88% clear colorless UV blocking material, with a certified letter that it meets this standard. The 70% listed on their is the combination of a normal untinted window light transmission plus the added 88% material.
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ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I've only ever judged darkness by looking in one side and out the other. Interior color has no effect on that.
Shaggy
Zoinks!!!!
The short answer.
No, tint is not allowed in California on the front windshield or front side windows.
Tint is allowed on any windows located behind the driver, as long as the vehicle is equipped with a right side mirror, like most are. The tint can be as light or as dark as you want.
There are some vehicles that only have the minimum of a left side mirror and a rear view mirror. Those vehicles cannot legally have tinted windows. My first car was like this and had no right side mirror. I tinted the rear windows, not aware of that requirement. I had the car for 6 years and was never stopped for the window tint.
Here is a photo from the internet.
As you can see, their lightest example of 80% is too dark to be California compliant. 88% film is for UV protection, and really is a clear colorless film. It has to transmit 70% of light when installed, which includes built in factory glass "tint". This is what a standard window is on a normal car without tint applied + the 88% film = at least 70% light transmission. Applying 70% tint film is not legal. Also, to be legal, one must have a doctor's note with them at all times, or a certificate from the installer with them, at all times, to provide to an officer along with the 88% material installed. The certificate would certify that the material installed was 88% UV blocking California compliant material. I would not call this material tint, because it is clear and colorless. Basically, no one should be able to notice any tint, or darkness to the windows. If I can see that the window is tinted, and it is a windshield or front side window, then it is not legal in California. This isn't just my opinion or interpretation of the law. I've heard this from a judge in traffic court as well. When the law changed to allow the film with a manufacturer letter instead of only a doctor note a few years ago, many news stories claimed that California now allowed front tinted windows, and this is simply not the case. So the confusion is understandable.
This is the correct answer.
Folks.... this forum was created and designed for people to ask “the experts in law enforcement” about issues they may have. Please don’t provide your opinion or what your Google search results told you. There are legal implications involved here and bad advice can lead to financial (or worse) repercussions for anyone following that bad advice.
I am trying to find a better source, but the following link claims that normal clear factory auto glass has a VLT of 80%.
http://diversityautofilms.com/understanding-tint-percentages/
So, in reference to the 70% light transmission, installing the California compliant 88% UV blocking material, along with a normal 80% window, would have to still allow a 70% VLT. This is not what most people think of when they are talking about tinting the front windows. It is a big misconception that California law allows one to apply a 70% VLT tint on the front windows. It does not.
http://diversityautofilms.com/understanding-tint-percentages/
So, in reference to the 70% light transmission, installing the California compliant 88% UV blocking material, along with a normal 80% window, would have to still allow a 70% VLT. This is not what most people think of when they are talking about tinting the front windows. It is a big misconception that California law allows one to apply a 70% VLT tint on the front windows. It does not.
Shaggy
Zoinks!!!!
My K9 car has the clearest possible tint on the front windows to keep UV out and to try to keep the car cool for the dog in the back. You can’t tell there is any material on it unless you run your fingernail across the top of the window to feel the lip of the sheet.
If you can tell with your nekkid eyes there is tint affixed, then it is surely illegal.
Shaggy
Zoinks!!!!
I get it man. You just gotta remember how things can spiral for people when interacting with LE...
A user might be driving with a suspended license and gets stopped for what he thought was legal tint based on advice from a BARF user. He gets a misdemeanor license suspended ticket and gets his car towed/impounded for 30 days. Now he can’t get to work without a car, and will face thousands of dollars in fines and impound fees which he can’t pay for without working....