What Is The Legal Tint Percentage For An Automobile?

Drivers should never compromise their road visibility. It is critical to have a clear view of your surroundings when driving. It is especially important to be able to see everything around you, including other vehicles on the road, at night, or in hazardous conditions.

So, if you live in a state where tinted windows are not permitted, you should be aware of the legal tinting percentage for a car so that your new vehicle does not attract undue attention from law enforcement.

After all, in most states, driving with excessively tinted windows is illegal. Different states, however, have different legal tint percentages for the windshield and side windows—and knowing what they are before you buy your car can save you a lot of trouble later on.

Fortunately, this article will explain in detail what the legal percentage for a car's window tint is so you can make an informed decision when purchasing one.

Window Tinting; An Overview

Tinting your windows can improve the appearance of your car while also protecting you and your interior from the sun's UV rays. However, if you choose a tint that is too dark, you risk being pulled over by police or receiving a "fix-it" ticket.

The percentages of legal window tint refer to the maximum amount of light that can be blocked out on the glass. So, if you're thinking about tinting your car windows, you should be aware of the car window tint laws in your area.

What Are the Legal Window Tint Percentages for Automobiles?

The answer is that it depends on your state of residence. Car window tinting laws vary by state, but some general guidelines apply across the board.

It is illegal in California, for example, to tint your windshield to less than 70% VLT (visibility luminance transmittance). That is, if your tinted windshield prevents more than 30% of the light from passing through, it is illegal.

As long as more than 70% of light passes through the front side windows, they can be completely dark. Back windows and windshields can be any shade of dark as long as they don't block out too much light inside your vehicle.

Visible light transmission and window tint darkness can be measured in a variety of ways.

A spectrophotometer or a different device called a densitometer can be used to measure visible light transmission. The difference between these two tools, however, is that the former measures all colors whereas the latter only measures black and white (or shades of grey).

Check for Statutory Exemptions

If you cannot find any exemptions in your state, you can still apply for one. You must contact the DMV and request an exemption letter explaining why your vehicle's tint is legal. This may take some time, and there are no guarantees that they will approve it, so apply as soon as possible.

You should also check with your local police department, as some states give them discretion over whether tinted windows are allowed at all or what percentage of tint is allowed on a vehicle.

Measure Window Tints with an Ultraviolet Meter

An ultraviolet light meter is required to determine the legal limit of window tinting on your vehicle. Police officers use this device to determine if your windows are too dark by measuring how much UV light passes through them.

Simply place the device against the window glass and examine the digital readout.

If it says less than 35% for front-side windows and 15% for back-side windows, it means that these windows are too dark from both sides. For example, if you drive in California with your front side window tinted at 20%, you are in violation of California law.