Window Tinting: Legal or Risky?

What is Legal Window Tinting? 

The laws that regulate window tinting vary from state to state but all states seek to control the amount of light transmittance that a tint has. Light transmittance is the amount of light, or visibility, that a tint allows through and each state determines what that transmittance number is. For example, California state laws have no light transmittance requirements for back and side windows but the front windshield has to have at least a 70% LTV%, or light transmittance value percentage. On the other hand, Kansas has a law that requires front, side and back windows/windshields to have no less than a 35% TLV. Other states, such as New Jersey and Vermont don't allow tinting on the front windshield at all. The only way to be sure of compliance is to check with your local DMV. 

The Absolutely NOT Legal List

If you are trying to stay out of court, it is best not to have certain kinds of tint. These tints are an absolute no-no for any vehicle in the United States.

Any tint that has these qualities is illegal:

• Any opaque tinting materials.
• Tinting that is mirrored. 
• Tints that create a "one-way-glass" effect. 

These are universally illegal. However, you may qualify for a darker window tint than the state requirement if you have melanoma, allergies to sunlight, Lupus, or photosensitivity. You will need to provide medical documentation before the DMV will issue permission. 

What's Risky About Window Tinting? 

Once you have the correct tinting LTV, there shouldn't be any more problems to tackle, right? Wrong. You're next decision will usually be to have it installed professionally or to do it yourself. Either way is legal but only one of them will save you money in the future while guaranteeing a quality job. 

DIY tint installs can be risky because they require cutting window tint without scratching the glass or tearing the tint in the process. They also require perfectly clean glass because any little speck of dirt can create a bubble in the tint. Also, if the tint isn't applied correctly, it will begin peeling. Professional installs cost more but don't pose the risk that DIY jobs do because professional installs provide a quality job that only needs to be done once. Professionals can provide a dirt-free tint that can last several years without bubbling up. Contact Mobile Install for more information.