Is it legal in California to have window tint? If not, how do so many people get away with this?

 

Well, in Missouri, windows can't be tinted darker than a certain point. However, if i remembr right, if the tinting is done out of state or by the manufacturer of the car, then it's allowed. Maybe the same thing is happening in Cali?

 

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...aw%20Chart.htm


According to that website and a few others the law in Cali says your front windows can have 70% tint which is very very light and the rest of the windows can be as dark as you want.

 

I know the laws are different from state to state. To be more clear, I am asking how the boat loads of clearly illegally tinted vehicles get away with tinting? Here in Michigan, no tint is allowed for front windows except the top 4". I've NEVER seen anyone do that but I DO see that 10-20% of daily traffic have front tint A good cop friend can get you off once but what happens when you get pulled over again?

 

Front window top 4" is referring to the windshield, not the front-side windows.

 

Well first look at why there are tint laws. Tint laws were put into place to protect law enforcement personnel. When a cop pulls someone over is is extremely important for them to be able to see the driver and passengers through the windows. Surprisingly most states allow rear windows to be super dark.

Anyway, most cops don't care about busting people for tint. Now if they pull you over for speeding they may write you up for tint violation too but they won't necessarily pull you over JUST for tint. I have darker than legal on my MINI and Passat but both cars can be seen into during the day. I have been pulled over in the Passat by a cop and he never mentioned it. I guess because when he approached he could see into the car.

Just a hunch.

 

Dunno if it's gonna help, but might as well take a look at: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?

The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

1. The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
2. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

 

yes it does apply to the front windows... and it's all about the cop who pulls you over. I had tint for years and it wasn't till last year that I got a warning to strip off my tint by a state cop. I'd drive around detroit MSU east lansing sitting beside cops at lights and they never said boo. It's just one of those things, like after market exhaust decible level...

 

I was pulled over JUST for the tint My Mini has one decal on the back and it's in support of Police Officers. Driving below speed limit, no lane changes, had windows rolled down and hands at the wheel when they approached. Nothing better to do except ruin my day I guess

 

With windows rolled down, how did he know they were tinted? Reasonable suspicion due to the other windows being tinted??
Looks like you caught somebody on a bad day.

FWIW, got pulled once for tinted windows in CA. Gave me a warning and said "I don't ever want to see you driving around with tinted windows again". I never saw him again, and I guess he never saw me. :smile:
My MCS has tinted windows (50%?) legal in VA where I bought it. No problems yet, but I'm ready to pull 'em if/when I get cited for it.

BTW, thanks for the explanation, Passat - that makes sense.

 

Unfortunately sounds like you had a real hard *** cop. I have a hard time calling cops dicks for two reasons: 1. My dad was one, 2. They are simply enforcing the law.

When I got a speeding ticket last year I was mad at myself and not the cop. I was breaking the law and I knew it. Same with tint. We do it because for us its worth the risk.

Sorry to hear about the ticket. Hope you don't run into him again.

 

My windows were rolled up when I drove past them at an intersection. I was very polite as they were to me. They were a couple of very young cops and boy were they having fun...I could see them rocking head like they were listening to music or something while one of them wrote me up. On top of that, they also sited me for a mildly tinted plate cover that you can buy at Murrays

So...any secrets on avoiding this in the future short of removing the tint? I know I need to avoid that town but the funny thing is that I need to go there again tonight to meet a friend who's also a cop

 

Go see your doctor. Medicine is a business and if you are a regular customer just ask for a prescription for window tint. Say, "the light bothers my eyes."
Problem with tickets goes away.

 

From a thread close by:
http://www.autowindowtintings.com/stateLaws.ihtml

 

I'll have to look around. The bone head whom I spent over $3000 for lazik won't do it I work in the dark all day and can't see much when I go out. They tell me to wear sun glasses I hate sunglasses in cars as I can't see the instruments.

 

Hi,
Hope this link helps.
http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html

I am also looking at tinting my 2005 Pure Silver MCS.

Also, how about some more photos of MSFITOY,
I love your car and enjoy your posts.

 

Thanks...here's my gallery:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00&ppuser=7338

I love to put up more but I'm at my limit

 

I put limo on mine all the way around...

It's a $72 fine here in Ohio, I guess I just chance it every day for the "look" and the coolness in the summer

pix in link below

 

I really wish you hadn't of said that. The last thing us people with photophobic eyes need are people who DON'T have a problem with light geeting scrips for tint. Eventually the law will get pulled due to the enormous amount of violators. Leave the scrips for those of us who genuinely have a problem with light.

MSFITOY, going from the dark to the light is very hard on the eyes. Find another eye doc, maybe one a family member uses and explain your situation. If you explain it the right way and put forth that you genuinely need it and aren't just trying to avoid a ticket, he/she might write one up for you.

 

Each State has there own laws. Check with your State regs. If you choose to ignore the law then you may suffer the consequences. Just like front plates! I know of several MINI owners in Illinois who were pulled over for their tint,given a ticket & told to remove the tint PRONTO! My first MINI was tinted according to MO law(0% on front, 35% on front sides, & limo tint on rear sides & back). I had no problems with the local law:smile: I don't have tint now but who needs it in a Cabrio

Lois

 

Thanks,
You just upgraded my wall paper.
The side photos are more revealing
of your general direction. This car
has a presence.

 

I've gotten pulled over for tint when I lived in VA. Good times. My tint was at 35% and Va law states that front window tint must be at 50%...I was in the wrong and got a ticket for it. It sucks, but I was breaking the law...not much I could do about getting the ticket.

I did take off my tint, crumple it into a ball and bring it into the judge later that month...he dropped the ticket. After that I put on 50% all the way around, and ended up liking it more...and didnt have to worry about a ticket.

 

Honestly, I grew up with ALOT of friends who became officers. When we were kids we would get hassled all the time. I think that they remember that and alot of them have nice cars now as adults and they have their windows tinted too. It is kind of an unwritten law that as long as the officers can see into your car rather easily or if you roll down your windows as they approach to show them everything is fine, I don't think you will be bothered. Of course, if you are driving like an idiot and come off with an attitude, well, lets just say you will get your medicine.

 

Ok, I'll bite. How much did they charge you for the 0% on the fronts?

 

That 0% tint is quite expensive afterall it has to look like it's not there

Lois