Front Window Tint Legal Percent in California
California law states that the tint on your front windows must allow entry of no less than 70% of the light . To ensure this is followed, law enforcement across California measures all window tint using a light meter. If the tint is found to be too heavy, a ticket is often issued.
Why does California restrict front window tint?
The reasons California has laws regulating front window tint isn’t just because it is the law, there are legitimate reasons behind the law. The front window has to be partially see-through so people walking by can see you inside your vehicle. Basically, safety and visibility are the main reasons.
When you have average window tint on your front windows, other drivers can see that you are inside your vehicle. You see this when driving next to vehicles at traffic lights. There are times drivers in vehicles with heavy tint don’t know a vehicle is at the light until a passenger gets out. Just think how much more difficult it would be if the front windows were tinted.
This is especially true in urban environments, where more pedestrians are found because they are walking to and from public transportation locations. Not to mention people like to watch their surroundings and having window tint blocks their field of vision and awareness.
Even having your front windshield tinted with legal amounts of tint can help reduce the risk of someone approaching your vehicle so closely that you could be a victim of a violent crime. In addition to pedestrians, you also have to deal with other vehicles on the road. How safe are you really driving to work when traffic is bumper to bumper?
Window tint on your vehicle helps to reduce the glare from the sun. Whether you are driving into the sun or the sun is in your eyes as it breaks through the clouds, tinted windows provide you with a way to see while having your view obstructed reduced while operating your vehicle.
Many people who have tinted their windows are not happy with some of the obstacles tinted windows cause. Backing up, parking and all of the previous points that can make it difficult to drive. These are just some of the reasons California has laws regulating window tint.
Penalties for not tinting legal percent
There are a number of fines and penalties for those who do not comply with the California window tint laws. First of all, the officer will require you to appeal yourself in front of the judge. The fine is $25 and the judge is not inclined to waive it unless you can prove that you are an exception to the law.
The first step is usually a regular fix-it ticket for $20-$50, depending on the area. If you drive around with the tint for an extended period of time, however, the fines and penalties will increase significantly.
If you receive the first ticket and you do not take action, it will become a moving violation. If you ignore the second ticket, you can expect a hefty fine and 1 point will be added to your driving record. The exact amount of the fine varies from county to county but some of them charge as much as $250 for a third moving violation in a year. Don’t think that the amount will equal out over a few tickets, however; the fine for a third offense doubles the amount up to $500.
The bottom line is that it is very likely that you could land yourself in some hot water over having tinted windows. If you have tinted your front windows to a too-dark shade or at all, you should consider a strip down before the cops get you.
Exemptions and special permits for front window tint
In some cases, exceptions could apply that may permit darker tint on your front windows in California. If you suffer from a medical condition that warrants having additional protection from UV rays, the California legislature will grant you an exception to the general prohibition on tinted front windows. However, such an exception does not come without its own requirements.
A prescription for tinted glass issued by a licensed physician is required for you to quality for the exception. The prescription must specify the level and type of tint on the vehicle’s front windshield and front windows. The exception also extends only to the amount and type of tint your doctor has prescribed. The law does not allow you to have additional tint added to your windows once you have that permit; therefore , an exemption would not allow you to apply a tint permit to your back windows, for example.
Failing to comply with the terms of the prescription could subject you to criminal penalties, including fines. And that fine could be significant. The fine imposed for front window tint violations can be charged in addition to any fine for tint on the windshield. So, if you have tinted windscreens in addition to tinted front windows, you could face two separate fines. Additionally, the tint exceptions for front windows generally do not apply to vehicles whose windows are tinted at the time of manufacture.
How to tint your vehicle front windows legally
To ensure that your front window tinting is not in violation of state law, you must choose a tint darkness percentage of no more than 70 percent. There are numerous tint stores in California that you can consult with to ensure that your tinting matches this requirement. While you may save money by buying do-it-yourself tint kits, it is recommended that you only have your tinting installed by certified tinting professionals to ensure that it is done correctly. You should also check with the tinting service that you choose to make sure that their tinting kits are guaranteed to pass California tint testing requirements. Once your vehicle has been tinted , you should test the tint to ensure that it passes ratings for both the films’ visible light transmission (VLT) and total height installation (VHT) on the front windshield. You may be given a pass or fail for the VHT and for the VLT on your front windows by a window tint inspection service in California. If your tint fails, you will need to have it removed and replaced with a legally compliant installation. In the event that you do need to replace your tinting, you can refer to the list of manufacturers that are permitted to manufacture tinting material for the front windows of vehicles as provided by the California Highway Patrol on its website. This list should help you to locate legal tint that will meet the percentage requirements mandated under California state law.