What is the law on tinted car windows in California? I've read that 70% visibility is legal but I'm unsure if this has been revised. I've had a police officer tell and ticket me saying that there's no tinting whatwoever allowed on front side windows. I've heard that there's a new type of ceramic film available that blocks virutally 100% of all UV and that it's so clear that law enforcement won't be able to tell. Could anyone in the know please fill me in?

TIA

 

here u go.


HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN CALIFORNIA?


Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In California, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.

• Windshield | Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
• Front Side Windows | Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows | Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window | Any darkness can be used.

HOW REFLECTIVE CAN THE TINT BE IN CALIFORNIA?


Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting film contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light.

• Front Side Windows | Must not be more reflective than a standard window.
• Back Side Windows | Must not be more reflective than a standard window.

OTHER CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATION

• Restricted Colors | The tint color(s) of RED AMBER BLUE are not legal by state law.
• Side Mirrors | Dual side mirrors are required if back window is tinted.
• Certificate Requirements | Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in the state.
• Sticker Requirements | No sticker to identify legal tinting is required.
• Medical Exemption | State law does NOT allow medical exemptions that would allow you use special tint.

 

CHP told me no tint on front windows as well. I don't believe the info above is correct.

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.

 

good thing CHP doesn't make the laws..

VC 26708 is pretty clear on this.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the windshield if the following conditions apply:
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver’s seat when measured from a point ( )3 five inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver’s seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.

 

sweet, i need to print this and keep it in the glove box.

 

i m not sure about SF bay area but here in southern cal, LEO rarely bother with tint.

however, if u r gonna keep anything in ur car for tint, u will need:

(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.

honestly.. i really don't know anyone who keeps this in their car.

 

Not sure who is correct regarding front window tint. In San Fran the freaking meter maids give out tickets for front tint all the time. Cost more to fight it than just pull it, get is signed off, then reapply. In Socal, I've had no issues.

 

I just pay the ticket and move on....too much waste of time to take the tint off and checked off!

 

Just got a ticket for this in downtown Los Angeles. Cop was a dick! He got pissed because I suggested that I would just pay the fine and leave the tint on as this isn't my daily driver. Now mind you, all 3 cars in front of me had tint darker vs. Mine as were most of the cars on the freeway. Go figure. I haft had my car as long as many of you, but I feel for those that experience this regularly.

 

They are truly there to protect and serve. Such losers... Nothing but revenue generaters.

 

SoCal is hint and miss.

Last time I had to get a fix-it signed off for my front plate, he would not do so with my tint in place. Even without a citation for the tint itself. Groovy.

 

Yeah, CHP sucks! Where are they when people really need them.