California’s laws on window tinting
California, like many states, has imposed restrictions on window tint levels to ensure safety, comfort, and visibility for both the driver and law enforcement. The state’s legal requirements for window tinting are largely measured in terms of Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates the amount of light that can penetrate a window film.
The VLT percentages allow for different levels of tint on the various windows of a vehicle:
- Windshield: The front windshield must have a minimum VLT of 70 percent, meaning at least 70 percent of the light must pass through the tint film. Non-reflective windshield tinting is allowed only above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 inches of the windshield, whichever is longer, or above the driver’s side visor.
- Front Side Windows: Window tinting on the front side windows must also have a minimum VLT of 70 percent. Use of reflective windows on the front side windows is not permitted.
- Back Side Windows: Tinting on the back side windows must allow a minimum VLT of 70 percent, similar to the front side windows . Reflective windows are allowed.
- Rear Window: Similar to the back side windows, tinting on the rear window must allow a minimum VLT of 70 percent. Reflective windows are permitted.
- Back Window: The tint on the back window must have a minimum VLT of 50 percent, which means that the tint is considerably darker than that used on the rest of the windows. Reflective windows are permitted.
- Mirrors: Any mirrors, including side mirrors, must reflect at least 5 percent of light.
The penalties for exceeding these VLT are steep, as they can be both costly and time-consuming. Convictions upon illegal tinting are considered infractions, so the fines may vary but can range up to a maximum of $ 250. This may seem costly, especially if you don’t already have illegal tints, but this is not the worst part. In addition to the fine, you would be required by law to remove any tinted window films from your vehicle and then submit proof of these changes to the DMV.
Why VLT matters
In California, the windscreen must allow no more than 70% visible light transmission. This means that VLT cannot be below 70% in any part of the windshield with two exceptions. One exception is a strip not exceeding 4 inches wide at the top of the windshield. This exception sets no limit on transparency but also allows non-reflective material only. The other exception is for the area immediately adjacent to the AS1 line, a manufacturer designation on most windshields in North America. This strip must allow at least 70% visible light transmission. If this strip is not marked, it will simply be subject to the same passenger car restrictions for all vehicles.
Vehicles manufactured before January 1, 2017, may have window film or tint satisfying the AS2/3 certificate of compliance and stickers. Vehicles manufactured after January 1, 2017, are subject to window film satisfying the AS10 certificate of compliance and sticker. The certificate issuing agency for AS10 is the ICC-ES.
While VLT restrictions should be considered with respect to tinting any window, it is important to consider the issue of visibility at night. At night, the headlamp beams of any vehicle provide all light to the driver, while tinting, even at 70% VLT, may interfere with peripheral vision and focus. This is especially important for driving at night on rural highways in §21800(b) VC. Because 70% VLT is considered dark, the increased difficulty of seeing at night can affect the safe operation of the vehicle. Courts in several states have addressed nighttime visibility issues with reference to VLT of the windscreen and similar restrictions for the side windows. In each of these cases, even 70% tint on the windscreen was restricted because of the potential danger created for other road users and adjoining property owners. These are very difficult cases for tinting companies, because proof that the tinting complied with the law is irrelevant if the tinting itself, at night, may create a dangerous situation. To support a determination that such a tinting is illegal for nighttime driving, an expert may need to be consulted to show that the tinting could be considered illegal under §§27008 and 27009 VC. Furthermore, §27009 VC arguably prohibits tinting, even at 70% or greater light transmittance, if the tinting materially obscures the windshield from night vision.
Penalties for violating the law
The state of California is known for its strict enforcement of window tinting laws. Law enforcement officers can and will issue citations to those owners who are found to be in violation of the law. From fines to penalties, there are numerous consequences of not complying with the law.
Steep. That’s the response you’ll get from the state when asked just how much can come from not complying with the law. There are both court-imposed and administrative fines for those vehicles that don’t meet the state’s tint allowance. Those fines can range from $25 to $197 for a first offense and continue to bring the cost up for each offense from then on. Unfortunately, you can also be cited for each window that is non-compliant.
There are a number of ways to rectify the situation. You will be given a fix-it ticket notifying you that your vehicle is in violation of California’s tint law. The officer issues the ticket and a DMV processing fee is paid prior to receiving a certificate of correction at the local court.
There is also a fee that is paid to the DMV for another certificate of correction. In this case, you can’t just "fix it" after you’ve been handed your ticket and then be on your merry way. You’re cited for all the windows in your vehicle that are in violation of the law. You can either have all windows tinted according to the regulations of the law, showing a VLT of 70% for the front windows or you can replace the film, or whatever structures you’ve had in your vehicle, to meet the standard. If you fail to comply and simply have your tint changed, you will receive another citation.
While the window tinting regulations in the state of California are strict, they are well worth the possible consequences. You may not think that the financial implications will be that devastating, but consider that you could face only $25 in fines for the first citation, but an increased $197 for the second. It isn’t long before that adds up to a hefty sum.
Legal exceptions and exemptions
Although there are strict guidelines about how your windows can be tinted, in certain circumstances, the law does make exceptions. The most common exception occurs when individuals require darker or less dark tinting in their vehicles for medical reasons. If you suffer from light sensitivity or other similar conditions, you can apply for medical exemption. In order to do so, you must obtain a statement from a physician that documents your condition and the number of hours of exposure to light per day that the condition requires. You must also submit the form, signed by your medical doctor (M.D.) or osteopathic physician (D.O.) , to the California Department of Public Health along with a $1 annual fee.
Please note that the medical exemption form can only be used for providing documentation for current use of tinting that is not within the legal limits for allowable tinting. It cannot be used for additional installation of tinting that is not within the legal limits. If you have had the exemption approved for years, but you have more recently had the tinting re-done, you will need to obtain additional approval for the new tinting even if it does not exceed the legal limits. The medical exemption does not exempt you from the legal maximum visible light transmission percentage, nor does the exemption apply to tinting of the windshield.
Tips for making sure you don’t break the law
The best way to keep your windows in compliance is to take a little time to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements. Be proactive in the tinting process and discuss your options with your window tinting specialist. There are a couple of easy ways to check your windows: The first test is whether it prevents more than 70% of the light coming from the sun, if it does it is illegal. (A dark tint can keep out more than 70%.) The other test is whether you can clearly see objects 10-12 inches away from you looking at the driver or passenger seat window. Most tinting services have access to the latest tinting and screening options that may strike just the right balance between comfort and safety without breaking the law. Try to find a tinting service that will only recommend a legally compliant product. If you have any doubts about any particular tinting, ask to see the testing results. Legitimate tinting products will have testing results that can be reviewed.
FAQs
As the window tinting industry continues to expand in California, so does the confusion surrounding the laws blocking non-compliant window tinting from being installed in an effort to reduce glare and heat. Below is a list of commonly asked questions about window tinting and the laws that have been set to regulate them, and their answers, to help clear up any confusion.
Q: Is the front windshield’s AS-1 line considered the darkest legal tint?
A: The AS-1 line is not the darkest legal tint. It is simply the outline on the glass where the manufacturer can place the "DOT" markings and name of the manufacturer that is made in the glass at the time of manufacturing. The built-in tint that appears darker is merely a tint band the vehicle manufacture may have put on the windshield of the vehicle.
Q: Do ‘limo’ tint windows allow light out?
A: Not at all. ‘Limo’ tint is the second darkest legal tint allowed in California. California’s laws determine the percentage of visible light that must be transmitted in and out of the window, so limo tint allows only a small amount of light to be let inside the vehicle. The darkest tint in California is 70 per cent VLT – meaning 70 per cent of light is allowed in and only 30 per cent is blocked.
Q: Why are there so many different tint percentages?
A: Light tint is the most preferable option among California drivers, because it allows 90 per cent of light through the window – allowing drivers to maintain visibility and safely drive throughout the night . Other options offered are due to consumer demand. Some consumers prefer darker tint because of the aesthetic appeal and privacy.
Q: Is special permission required to have the front windows tinted with darker tint?
A: Yes. Records must be kept by the company that did the installation, and the owner of the vehicle will have to be informed of the responsibility of maintaining those records and keeping them with the vehicle at all times in the event of proper enforcement.
Q: Is there an additional fee for obtaining the exemption for the front windows?
A: No, the exemption is free.
Q: Why can’t windows be tinted to the full legal limits?
A: Outdated laws framed the decision on why tint is limited. California laws on window tint were brought about for different reasons than those that apply today. In this case, the tint is not used for the purposes it was once intended and so it is limited. Current law defines the percentage of visible light transmitted through the glass and requires a certain amount to be revealed.
Q: Can police officers pull over a driver for the tint of their windows?
A: No, police officers are not permitted to pull a driver over solely on the tint of their windows. A tinted windshield may sometimes make it difficult for police officers to see. In that case, they will often use the loud speaker system to initiate a stop or will follow the vehicle and wait until the car stops before activating their lights.