Tinted vehicle windows: the law

The laws regarding tinted vehicle windows vary by country and even by state or province within a country. 

However, in general, tinting there are certain guidelines that need to be followed to ensure that tinted windows are legal.

In the United States, the degree of tinting allowed on vehicle windows:

is regulated by each state. The most common way of measuring the degree of tinting is by the percentage of visible light transmission (VLT).

 This refers to the amount of visible light that can pass through the window. For example, a tint with 30% VLT will allow 30% of visible light to pass through the window and block 70%.

Most states allow some degree of tinting on the rear side and rear windows:

 but not on the front side windows or the windshield. The amount of tinting allowed on the rear windows is usually higher than on the front side windows. However, the specifics of these regulations vary by state.

 Some states may also have specific requirements for the color of the tint, such as only allowing a certain shade of red or blue.

It's important to note that these regulations apply to all vehicles:

including cars, trucks, and SUVs. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a citation or fine.

In addition to the legal considerations, it's also important to keep safety in mind 

when tinting vehicle windows. Excessive tinting can reduce visibility and make it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, 

or cyclists on the road:

It can also make it more difficult for emergency responders to see inside the vehicle in the event of an accident. 

So, it's important to choose a tint that balances your desired level of privacy with safety on the road.

Vehicles first used on 1 April 1985 or later:

• Here are some examples of vehicles that were first used on or after 1 April 1985:
• Toyota Camry (1986 model year)
• Honda Civic (1985 model year)
• Ford Taurus (1986 model year)
• BMW 3 Series (1986 model year)
• Chevrolet Corvette (1985 model year)
• Dodge Caravan (1985 model year)
• Jeep Cherokee (1984 model year, but redesigned in 1986)
• Mazda RX-7 (1986 model year)
• Nissan Maxima (1985 model year)
• Volkswagen Golf GTI (1985 model year)

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other vehicles that meet this criteria:

Penalties for having wrongly tinted windows can vary depending on the specific laws and regulations of 

the state or country where the offense occurs. In general, the level of enforcement can also depend on how strictly authorities choose to enforce such regulations.

For instance, in some jurisdictions, having windows that are too heavily:

tinted may be considered a traffic violation, resulting in a citation or a fine. In other jurisdictions, 

the penalty may be more severe, and the vehicle may be impounded until the windows are brought into compliance with local regulations.

Furthermore, it's important to note that the regulations governing window tinting:

can be complex and may ceramic tint differ depending on the type of vehicle, the location of the windows, and other factors.

 It's always a good idea to consult with local authorities or legal experts to ensure that your vehicle's windows comply with the relevant laws and regulations.