State & Federal Laws for Window Tinting

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 If you're not into the color, but you like the solar control benefits of window tint, you're in luck: There are clear window films that block UV rays and IR heat. Plus, clear coatings don't reduce visibility at night. Laws are directed at darker films on front doors and windshields, not at protecting your health with lightly shaded films manfactured by reputable companies and installed by reliable experts.

 Most states have laws against darker tint on the driver and passenger "front doors only", and all states consider front windshield tinting acceptable only for health benefit. You can tint the windshield legally, with a prescription from your doctor... for protection from ultraviolet radiation. Not only does this complete the protection for UV and IR, it also provides shading for the Visible Light Transmission in between. It makes commuting into the sun, a whole lot easier on your precious eyes.

Legally installed films relieve liability issues for everyone involved, and anyone can get a note from their doctor for protection from ultraviolet radiation. It is necessary to receive warranty from the film manufacture.. and your auto insurance should be required to pay for replacement if necessary... but would only do so when legally installed for health reason.  Some may still refuse to pay for any replacement of window film applied to the front windshield.

  At this point, I kindly remind my insurance provider who pays them, and if they refuse to provide for my health and comfort needs while driving, they may be paying for an accident repair, or getting dropped for an insurance company who will provide coverage as needed. Windshield tinting becomes very expensive when using the appropiate products, and windshields get broken!

United States Department of Transportation

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The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is a Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transport. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966 and began operation on April 1, 1967. It is administered by the United States Secretary of Transportation.

Its mission is to "Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future."

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Regulations for Automotive use.

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Automobile window tinting, by its nature, reduces the visible light transmittance through a car's windows. This can be problematic at night, when motorists must be able to see through the windows of other vehicles in order to spot hazards which would otherwise be obstructed. Police officers must also be able to identify the passengers in a vehicle.

In many jurisdictions, there are government rules and regulations in place to ensure darkness levels of films do not present a danger to motorists.

In the United States, the federal Department of Transportation specifies a minimum of 70% visible light transmission (VLT) for window tinting on the windshield and the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver. The DoT does not specify any VLT requirements for any other windows [3]. Individual states can pass laws that go further than the requirements set forth by the DoT. The DoT regulates commercial vehicles, not private vehicles. Links to state laws that govern tinting on private vehicles can be found below. Private vehicles may have tint on the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver as dark as 20% VLT, depending on the state law.

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/State%20Law%20Chart%201-07.pdf

Automobile manufactures and distributors operating in the United States are required by federal law to provide glass with a minimum of 70% visible light transmission. Other federal law requires minimum strength standards on glass and manufactures compliance results a finished product that is “not actually clear” after the treatment.  Hence the necessary 70% allowance. Since there is no further intervention by our federal government on private vehicles, it is up to the individual states to set standards for glass tinting and windshield applications.

Two thirds of the United States have adopted an “exemption for medical purpose” into their laws regarding glass tinting and coatings. Our company is prepared to fight for consumers right to choose preventative medicine and relief for existing health conditions.

    Additionally, Cars fall into category one, and a 70% visible light transmission is required on all glass in a car when sold by manufacture to dealer. New car dealers never receive a car from the manufacture with tint. On the other hand, Suv, Van, Wagon… category two, including Trucks, requires a 70% visible light transmission on front doors and windshield only. You can literally block all light from coming into vehicle behind driver shoulders in this category, legally in all states!  Its called a can van, no windows in back; remember those? Vehicles receiving any tint usually need to have both left and right outside mirrors to be legal.

    Most vehicles in the Suv van wagon and truck category, come to hotter climates with a manufacture installed “solar sunscreen glass” which offers shading and privacy in the rear, but little ultraviolet protection or heat reduction. This darker glass is about 20% visible light transmittance, an amount the auto manufactures have decided was an acceptable darkness for the general public, to have good visibility and operate the vehicle safely. The darker glass in these vehicles is permanent; not like tint which can be removed.

IWFA COMMON SENSE LAW SUGGESTIONS

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Suggested Model Legislation for  Automotive Window Tinting

Model legislation that is applicable to each and every jurisdiction is not possible because most jurisdictions amend existing safety or glazing statutes to restrict window film. Generally, the law that sets the standard for window film also specifies the restriction for signs, decals, and stickers.

Introduction & Issues

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 specifies the amount of tinting that is allowed in the new motor vehicles prior to the sale of the vehicle. Following the sale of the new vehicle, window tinting is regulated by the individual states.

Federal Standard 205 is silent with respect to the windows to the rear of the driver and the front seat passengers on multi-purpose vehicles; therefore, the purchaser of a new vehicle may specify unlimited tinting on the vehicles. Individual jurisdictions usually also allow unlimited tinting on the rear of multi-purpose vehicles provided the vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors.

Almost (90%) of windows in new motor vehicles have some tinting. Once after market window film is applied, it is almost impossible and certainly not practical to measure the light transmittance of the glass and the film separately. Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that legislation specify the minimum total light transmittance of the factory glass and the after market film.

Legislation should be written to allow practical enforcement. It should be a violation to operate a vehicle in violation of the statute and also to install film that reduces the light transmittance to a level not in compliance with the law.  Portable, hand-held light meters are now available that are simple to operate, reasonably inexpensive and accurate within plus or minus 2% points. When laws are not enforced, dark film causes concern by law enforcement and encourages further abuse of the law. The window film industry strongly supports enforcement and will loan light meters to law enforcement for training and demonstration.

Generally, convictions will be obtained with a 5% net light transmission tolerance, the practical limit of measurement with this issue. Variance levels in light meters and film manufacturers will not allow a tougher standard. Most important is that the 5% tolerance is not discernible by the human eye or of any safety consequence.

Some jurisdictions attempt to regulate film by requiring the installer to place a decal or sticker between the film and the glass that certifies compliance and identifies the installer by name and address. This method has had limited success because of fraudulent stickers and film that is applied by non-professionals.

State law regulations, in recent years, specify the minimum visible light transmission required by motor vehicle windows. Light meters are required to measure the light transmission.

Generally, the legislation will delegate by statutes to the appropriate oversight agency the responsibility of establishing technical criteria and performance standards the manufacturers must incorporate in the meter.

The state oversight agency will also adopt uniform operating instructions.

The International Window Film Association will provide recommended technical data, criteria, and testing standards for light meters. The Association will also recommend operating guidelines and instruction for usage of the meter upon request.

In Summary...

The public installs film for various reasons, the dominant ones being comfort, health, and safety.  Some prefer it for aesthetics. Window film, like many other products, is available in varying degrees of effectiveness. High performance films are available from almost all manufacturers, which reject 45-55% of the heat and 95-99% of the ultra-violet rays. The right of the public to use film should not be ignored.

Understanding the issues, getting the facts, and looking for compromise, while maintaining and displaying respect for the positions of each party, are keys to acceptable law enforcement, for the public, and the industry.