:banghead: Ironic that this post came up. I was thinking about posting because of my frustation for what I see as a silly law, especially after getting ticketed. I have gone about 1 1/2 years with 35% tint. You can see it is different compared to factory, which is the look i was going for because you can still see inside during they day, but obviously darker at night. Here is the link on the laws for each state.
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/State Law Chart.htm
What make things even more difficult is the interpretation of the law (at least for me) Here is what CHP says about the law.
Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:
The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
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.
But this exerpt from Motor Vehicle code says this.
(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 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 meets the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the material's manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
:soapbox:
So does this mean if I have Tint film that meets the Federal standards it is legal? If so how come police are under the impression it is just plan NO! Does this also mean that if you install side windows that are pre-tinted according to Federal Standards that it is legal? If your lucky your state isn't as complicated...or country for that matter. I figured at one time this law was created to help police officers deal with criminals who are armed behind these tinted windows, but now that I look at the law it just seems like they want to regulate our life. If we can see out, and you can see in with a Bright light shined inside why can't it be legal? If this is needed to protect police couldnt this apply to other things? Like houses? (Blinds must stay open just incase you are armed so the police can see you??) If it is for our safety then so many other things like wearing shades, place aftermarket shades on the windows, or even removable film, cellular phones should all be regulated too. :3:
This is just how I feel