Is it illegal to tint your windshield?
Generally illegal to tint the entire windshield, though most states allow a top strip.
Full windshield tinting is illegal in nearly every U.S. state because it reduces visibility for the driver and prevents law enforcement from identifying occupants. Most jurisdictions allow a non-reflective tint strip at the top of the windshield, typically extending down to the AS-1 line or five inches. While medical exemptions exist for conditions like lupus or photosensitivity, they often require specific physician documentation and a permit. Police frequently use tint meters during traffic stops to determine if the light transmission falls below legal percentages.
RELEVANT LAWS
- 49 C.F.R. § 571.205Federal Glazing Standard (70% light transmission requirement)
- California Vehicle Code § 26708Restrictions on objects or material on windows
- Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Rule 21.1Standards for Sunscreening Devices
- Florida Statute § 316.2952Windshield requirements and sun-screening limitations
POTENTIAL PENALTIES
- Corrective 'Fix-it' tickets requiring removal of the film
- Fines ranging from $50 to over $500 for repeat offenses
- Failure of mandatory state vehicle safety inspections
- Civil liability if a darkened windshield is a factor in a nighttime accident
JURISDICTION
Laws vary significantly by state regarding the specific depth of the top 'brow' strip and the required Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage for secondary windows.
The 'AS-1' line found on your windshield is actually a mark required by federal law to indicate where the glass becomes significantly more prone to distortion if tinted.
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