The picture above is a sight that most of us do not want to see in our rearview mirror. There is a great deal of confusion regarding the legality of window tint, so in this article we want to discuss a question usually only discussed once someone receives a window tint related ticket. What is the window tint law in your area? You would think that this should be easy to answer, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, there are several things that impact whether you will receive a ticket for window tint on your car.
Specific Window Tint Law in The State You Reside In - This one seems obvious, but the laws vary widely across the United States. What is perfectly accepted in one state is completely illegal in another. You can see a summary of the laws across the United States and Canada by clicking HERE.
Specific Laws in the State You are Traveling In - To make matters a bit more complicated, it is possible for you to receive a ticket for illegal window tinting even if your tint is legal within the state in which your car is registered. Many states have the discretion to determine if they wish to hold any vehicle traveling within that state to the vehicle laws of that state. In fairness, most states, even if they have the right, refer back to the laws in the state in which the vehicle is registered. Just be aware that this is a possibility.
What About a Medical Waiver? - Some states do have exemption to the law based on medical exemptions. This can be for things like skin sensitivity to the sun, eye sensitivity to the sun and other accepted reasons. These laws vary widely. Please check with your local department of motor vehicles for more information.
Differing Enforcement and Application of Existing Laws - After you completely understand the law and how it applies to you, there is one last factor that is completely unpredictable; the level of enforcement of the law. This is usually left completely up to the discretion of each police department within the state. Some rarely even consider issuing a citation for window tint while others enforce the law stringently. In addition, the remedy is each area can vary from paying a simple fine to being issued a “fix-it ticket”. If a ticket is issued to fix the violation, the vehicle owner would need to have the tint removed and have their vehicle inspected by the court.
We did not want to write this article to scare you regarding window tint laws, we just wanted to educate you on the laws regarding window tint in your area. Because the window films we offer come in a variety of shades, you can choose the option that suits your needs and is legal for your particular situation.
If you would like any additional information about how the local window tint law impacts your options, contact us at (619) 422-1199. We are your premier source for automotive window tint in the San Diego, California area..