tinted windows, what states is it illegal?

[SmokeyTheBear]

Before you waste money doing it, I'd recommend contacting the MVA or DMV or what ever it's called in Maine to see what is legal in that state. From my experience, ever state is different. It's LEGAL for vans, SUV's and limos (non passenger vehicles) to have very dark tint but it is ILLEGAL for cars to have tint over a certain %. At least that's the case here in Maryland. I just had the pleasure of having to take the tint off of my car when I moved up here. I'm just glad I'm not the one who spent the money putting it on...I bought it like that. Anyway, I would call the license branch (MVA or DMV) and see what they can tell you . You might also try calling the state police, they seem to be the ones in charge of it.

 

[cavingjan]

I'll add two things to this. Most vehicles with the dark tint is factory done. AKA the vans, suvs and trucks are using A1 safety glass that is tinted that dark and is also not regulated by the feds. Thus the reason why they are always so dark.
Second, have you ever driven a vehicle with dark tinting? Its a serious pain in the butt if its really dark. You can't see anything. Our vans at work have dark tint on the back windows and after dusk, you could not see to back up anymore. Most of the guys quit going out at night unless they could find a parking spot that didn't require any backing. Its not much better during the day when its bright enough to wear sunglasses since your front windshield will not be tinted.

 

[SJ]

Metallic tint is illegal in most states as is "mirror" tint.

They banned darker tints on all but limos for the protection of police. Before they put a limit on how dark the tint could be alot of cops were shot/killed because they couldn't see inside/couldn't see person had a gun.

Also about purple tint, 9 times out of 10 its because the owner of the vehicle used amonia(normal windex) on the tint. Amonia will fvck up tinting of even the best places.

 

[aUt0eXebat]

ok, i will just get the legal amount of tinting, ive already had my share of tickets, so i will just get the legal amount.... thanks alot guys, i will check out that site later. now i gotta find a cool pimpin site

 

[Degenerate]

i am sure that the windscreen cant be tinted...

 

[Amused]

This website has every state's tint % restrictions on it.

Maine allows no darker than 50% on ALL windows. Of course, the windshield can have none.

State Window Tinting Laws

 

[Amused]

<< Metallic tint is illegal in most states as is &quot;mirror&quot; tint.

They banned darker tints on all but limos for the protection of police. Before they put a limit on how dark the tint could be alot of cops were shot/killed because they couldn't see inside/couldn't see person had a gun.

Also about purple tint, 9 times out of 10 its because the owner of the vehicle used amonia(normal windex) on the tint. Amonia will fvck up tinting of even the best places. >>



Correction: many states allow any tint on the rear and rear passanger windows.

See here: link

 

[sitka]

Do the right thing and don't get different darknesses on different windows. No-one ever notices because everyone does it but medium tint on the front and dark tint on the back. Absolutely stupid. SUV's even come stock like this. Take a look around and you will see how it totally destroys the lines of the car/truck. Drives me crazy. Get the same tint all around and the back will just naturally be darker because of less light let in thru the rear than the windshield. There will be a smooth gradient that looks correct. Once you are aware that people put different tints front and back it will sicken you every time you see it. Consider this a general plea for estetics.

 

[aimn]

Any shop that does tinting knows what the laws are. Stop by and ask them.....you can look at what they are talking about, on another car. You can also get pricing while you are there. I have my windows tinted, one shade darker than legal. I think it dresses a car up, I get a lot of compliments. Been pulled over a few times and they have never said anything about the tint.

 

[amnesiac]

I believe that in CA you CAN actually get your front window tinted to a certain degree but only if you have approval from a doctor (i.e. high light sensitivity). I could be wrong though.

 

[frizzlefry]

<< I believe that in CA you CAN actually get your front window tinted to a certain degree but only if you have approval from a doctor (i.e. high light sensitivity). I could be wrong though. >>


No this is actually true. But it has to be for MEDICAL reasons. Also the new popular tint out in CA seems to be the blue tint you see on high end cars. From what I know, they are now cracking down on people with aftermarket blue tint as these are for commercial building use. If I'm not mistaken the high end vehicles actually have colored glass.

As for mirror like tint, I do believe these are legal but it is not legal on front and passenger windows. It looks ridiculous when you have reflective tint on everything except the front sides. But they don't seem to mind so much and I see alot of people driving around with the reflective tint on the front sides as well.

 

[dave127]

in pennsylvania, you cant have any tint at all unless it somes from the factory, such as privacy glass on some minivans...that really sux for me

 

[Kp99]

It matters how dark the tint is...

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< Metallic tint is illegal in most states as is &quot;mirror&quot; tint.

Also about purple tint, 9 times out of 10 its because the owner of the vehicle used amonia(normal windex) on the tint. Amonia will fvck up tinting of even the best places. >>



I believe both of these assertions are incorrect.

All quality tints (e.g., Llumar) are metallic in construction, even if they are not reflective.

This also is relevant to your second statement. Non-metallic tints ALL end up turning purple, and this is independent of the use of Windex. The problem with Windex is that the tint is porous, so ammonia passes through the tint and causes it to pull away from the glass, leading to the pronounced bubbling you often see.

For these reasons, metallic tint is somewhat more costly, but a much better investment in the long tun.

 

[Mistah Magik]

I have a license for my limo tinted windows. I drive a 1996 Chevy S10 and had the windows tinted the second day I owned it, ask DEDPUHL. My windows are 5% on the pass/driver, double limo in the rear and back side windows, with a 8 1/2&quot; eyebrow in the front. A few things that sucks about having dark windows is you're cop bait and that people want to break into your ride. It's nice to have so people can't see you and it's cool to see but it's a mofo I hear in court. You might just want to get your windows done legally to avoid all the BS. If you do get your windows done limo, just get ready for all the looks, the punk police pulling you over and giving you tickets, and the chances of your ride getting broken into (and that's not including if you do not tell your insurance company).

PM if you have any questions..

 

[LordMaul]

The Maxima that lives here at my house has the back windows tinted to 2 1/2%(oly that much light comes through -- practically black from the outside but you can see nicely from the inside) and 20% on the front windows...nothing, of course, on the windshield.

 

[Colt45]

i checked for my province and i can have any % on back window and rear side windows, but the front side has to be clear, and only the top 15cm of the windshield can have tint.!!
my car already has tint tho..heh

 

[atsang]

Hey anyone know how to get bullet proof windows like the ones on that BMW in that James Bond movie (I forget which one...Goldeneye?)

Just curious if normal people have access to stuff like that