A Brief Look at The Law Surrounding Window Tinting
Florida, like many other states, has instituted laws that govern the amount of tint a person is allowed to have on their car windows. According to these laws, window tinting is not treated as a decoration, but as a safety mechanism for both the occupants of the car as well as pedestrians and persons outside of the car on the street, whose view would be obstructed otherwise should they attempt to cross the path of a car that is tinted too dark. If the tint on your window is deemed too dark, it can pose an increased risk for setting off an accident, and potentially serious injury to those involved in the accident. For this reason, as well as others, tint laws are strictly enforced.
In 2012, Florida passed a law that made the following changes to the window tint law: the level of tint that was allowed on the windshield, when not factory applied, was changed from 15% down to 25% . Basically, what that means is that if you travel along and see other cars with tinted windows, chances are their tint has been applied by the factory using the 15% tint level. But if a car has been tinted outside of the factory and does not have this indication, it will likely have been applied at 25% tint or greater.
As far as the legal requirement for tint, there is much to know. The normal tint levels allowed are as follows: Florida also has regulations that regulate mirror tint on front and back side windows. The tint on these windows should not be more than 25% reflective, meaning they should not have any more than a 5% reflective tint. The tint law in Florida has been enacted purposefully to ensure the safety of the occupants of the car as well as pedestrians and people on the road. An increase in accidents due to obstructed eyesight is a safety hazard that could be easily avoided if the tint on the window is not applied at the illegal level.
VLT Minimums
In Florida, the requirements for visible light transmission (VLT) meaning the amount of light that can pass through window film, varies slightly between passenger vehicles, vans, SUVs or trucks that are over 50 inches tall (such as a full-size van or SUV), and multi-purpose passenger vehicles which are 50 inches tall and under (SUV’s or trucks). For passenger vehicles, these rules of thumb apply: Window Tint VLT in Florida Passenger cars, vans Vans, SUVs or full-size vans Vans, SUVs or trucks Multi-purpose passenger vehicles 50 inches and under in height Multi-purpose passenger vehicles over 50 inches in height VLT is simply the amount of visible light that passes through the entire automotive window and windshield. The remaining amount is blocked by the film. In Florida, front windshields must allow more than 70 percent of total light in. The front side windows must allow more than 15 percent of light in, and the back side windows and rear window can be tinted to any darkness. Any film applied to the windshield cannot be less than 34 inches wide and covered with paste adhesive that secures the film to the window. Aside from the front side windows, all other windows must allow more than 15 percent of cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL) or proceeding light in. These lights are normally used for license plate illumination.
Window Tint Exemptions
There are certain exemptions to Florida’s window tinting laws. One of them is medical exemptions. If you have specific medical conditions regarding your windows, you may be exempt from certain tinting laws. To legally tint your windows outside of the recognized laws, you will need a medical exemption. Medical exceptions are obtained through your medical doctor and then verified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV).
Those who drive with tinted windows for medical reasons must provide a certain amount of specific information to the FDHSMV. The doctor who assesses the medical condition must fill out a Constantly Delayed Windows Medical Certification Form 2008. This form must contain very specific medical information.
The doctor must specify exactly which of the windows need to be tinted. Doctors cannot use the same form to get cars of an entire family exempted from tint regulations. A doctor cannot make verbiage on the Constantly Delayed Windows Medical Certification Form 2008 describing the need for tinting for "any book in the family" or saying that transporter or taxi drivers can use the medical tinting.
Because American cars are manufactured with a greater amount of tint on the top of the windshield than in other parts of the windows, doctors writing exemption forms must specify that they have a condition for needing extra tint on the upper or lower portions of the windshield.
Florida tint regulations require a fee of $1.00 to register a vehicle as having received a medical exemption. That money is paid to the state for a medical exemption decal. Sufficient proof that the tint was put in the vehicle must be shown obtaining the decal. The decal must be displayed on the windshield’s left corner. Under certain circumstances, police can ask about medical reasons and revoke decals if there is a failure to follow the law.
Penalties for Over-Tinted Windows
Generally, a violation of the window tint requirements of the Florida statute is enforced as a noncriminal traffic infraction. However, the law does allow a person who is stopped for a violation of the statute to have an opportunity to comply with the law before being cited. That means that if the police officer has a tint measurement device with him or her, they can make the measurement and let you go if you comply with the law. But, if compliance with the law requires you to remove the tint from the window, rather than simply having it measured at a subsequent time , you will be cited for a violation of the window tint statute.
When a violation of the window tint statute is cited as a traffic infraction, the fine is $130, plus any additional court costs. Therefore, it is always wise to have your tint measured with a tint meter in advance of any traffic stop. If your tint meter measure shows a reading greater than the law allows, you can still avoid the traffic stop by fixing the window tint before the traffic stop occurs. There is no penalty for a tint meter that indicates too dark a window shade as long as you correct the problem before a traffic stop occurs.
How to Verify Your Tints
Ensuring that window tints are legal can be a complex process. First and foremost, it is recommended that you consult with professional tinting services to ensure that products installed in your vehicle comply with Florida law. Professional tinting services have the requisite knowledge to install tints that meet legal requirements and can also provide documentation to substantiates their value as a legal precaution.
In addition to trusting tinting services, you should also trust tint meters. As previously mentioned, tint meters are devices that measure the amount of visible light that can penetrate window tinting to determine if levels within your vehicle are legal. Many tinting product retailers and tint installation professionals possess these devices and can make sure your tinting levels are acceptable. If there are any conflicts with the readings in your vehicle, tint meters are also utilized by law enforcement officials to test window tint. Overall, the most effective way of ensuring the legality of your tint is through placement by a trusted professional.
Of course, when installing your tint, it is also important to remember the other rules and regulations that come with window tinting, such as not being able to place tint on your vehicle’s windshield below the AS-1 line or the top four inches as measured from the light shade band at the top. In addition, your vehicle’s side mirrors must remain fully unobstructed, meaning that no material can overlap the mirrors along the edges, such as tint tape and stickers. This is essential, as certain vehicles like sports cars have wider side mirrors that make it more difficult to view through tinted windows.
Ultimately, while professional services and tint meters can help to ensure that legal requirements are met, it is your responsibility as a motorist to be aware of the tinting laws. All glass that you install on your vehicle must be made of tempered safety glass, not plastic, and it cannot alter the performance or visibility of any features on your vehicle, such as taillights or stoplights. Furthermore, be aware that nontransparent legal window tints do not negate the application of other laws, including those related to duffel bags and window stickers. Under the umbrella of the "Bright from the Start Act" is the requirement that all tinted windows must be clearly labeled with a sticker that indicates that they are tinted.
The Benefits of Window Tint
Understanding Legal Window Tint Regulations in Florida
It’s no secret that Florida is one of the hottest states in the country. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity can turn a car into an uncomfortable sauna. As such, many people seek to combat these conditions with tinted windows. However, as we’ve seen, tinted windows can have a number of negative consequences. But not all of them need to have these consequences. There are two primary ways to maximize safety while still maintaining all the benefits of window tint.
The first is simply to go with legal window tint. By doing so, you’ll avoid all the potential legal consequences, and you’ll also avoid the potential damage done to visibility. Legal window tint will be lighter. It won’t have the same benefits in terms of privacy (it may even inhibit your ability to see well out of the back window), but it’ll help more than you might expect. Something as simple as 30 percent tint on the front and back windows will help keep your eyes safe from ultraviolet damage and regulated heat. And it shouldn’t be expensive—many tinting experts offer lifetime warranties and tend to only cost a few hundred dollars for a vehicle. Benefits include: Reduced glare. One of the chief complaints of drivers in modern times is related to the glare from the sun. Reflections from the asphalt and the dash and the glass itself can all contribute to glare that leads to impaired vision and increased risk of accidents. Even on an overcast day, light can still shine directly into your eyes, temporarily blinding you and making it difficult to focus on the road. This is exacerbated when the sun begins to rise or set, reducing visibility substantially . Proper tint helps you reduce glare, helping to keep your eyes safe and ensuring you do not become distracted by the road. This not only works to reduce risk of accidents, but it also ensures a more comfortable driving experience—one that is less stressful and safer. Protection from UV radiation. Prolonged exposure to the direct sunlight can be one of the biggest concerns for your overall health. Even short-term exposure can cause a troublesome sunburn, while extended exposure can lead to long-term skin damage. Recent studies show that people who drive regularly are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer on their left-hand side, as this is where the sun is typically located throughout most of the day. Just like painters must wear masks to protect from hazardous fumes, you too can prevent lasting damage with a well-placed window tint. The tint is designed to keep harmful UV rays from penetrating, and it’s more effective than sunscreen—a key benefit for those who work long hours outside in the sun. Interior protection. If you’ve ever had a nearly brand new car that quickly turned into a sun bleached shade of gray, you may have quickly rid yourself of it. Car upholstery is designed to last a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean that it can withstand the never-ending assault from the sun. In an instant, a few too many brisk days and intense sun can lead to faded carpeting, worn-down seats, and heavily cracked dashboards. Thankfully, tinted windows act like a sunscreen for your car, shielding the interior from troublesome damage. This means that you will enjoy a more comfortable ride and your car will continue to look like new after countless summers behind the wheel.