window tint

[gogogadget]

Plain English what is legal. Understood it is an officer saftey issue as well as a great "pre text" stop. How does the LE community feel about this and what is acceptable. Thanks everyone.

[E_Shaw90]

no tint on the front windows..most factory windows already have a UV inhibitor applied to them...

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

[axel4488]

No window tint allowed at all on the windshield and driver window. the back windows can be pitch black, the passenger front window can only be like 20 percent i think

[Baconator]

I know when I have been in tint shops they list a certain amount of tint on the front vehicles is allowed because of

(d)(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.,

but (d) states

"(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.

but VC Section 26708 is pretty straight forward.

26708. (a) (1) A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.

(2) A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view through the windshield or side windows.

[gogogadget]

Thanks. Very informative. Don't want any tickets summer is gonna be hot trying to beat the heat and save money and court appreances lol

[GLuxury]

Im not LEO .. but from my understanding ... NO tint on windshield or front drivers or front passengers window, all other windows can be as dark as you want it ... i have tint on my front windows, i think its 20%, ive been pulled over numerous times, none have complained, at night you still can somewhat see inside my car, if you do get a ticket, its a fix it ticket, so you get a razor blade and a steamer, take it off, get it signed off at CHP , and go re-tint =)

[Baconator]

Im not LEO .. but from my understanding ... NO tint on windshield or front drivers or front passengers window, all other windows can be as dark as you want it ... i have tint on my front windows, i think its 20%, ive been pulled over numerous times, none have complained, at night you still can somewhat see inside my car, if you do get a ticket, its a fix it ticket, so you get a razor blade and a steamer, take it off, get it signed off at CHP , and go re-tint =)

Just gives them an excuse to pull you over and see what else you got going on.

[NytWolf]

No adhesives from the driver forward. There are exceptions for the top 6" and the lower 6" of the windshield.

Although some LEO's will hassle you for having the rears "too dark", there really is no law in CA stating how dark the rears can be provided you have mirrors on both side of the vehicle.

[Saigon1965]

Might want to check the VC again - As I believe the new codes requires you to pay a small fee even for a fix it -

if you do get a ticket, its a fix it ticket, so you get a razor blade and a steamer, take it off, get it signed off at CHP , and go re-tint =)

[GLuxury]

Just gives them an excuse to pull you over and see what else you got going on.

fine with me ... no illegal activity going on with me or my car

i hate the sun in my face when im driving ... so the tint with risk is worth it to me

[Brandon04GT]

I thought the law in CA says front windows can't be darker than 70%

Either way if you still want to to tint your fronts, just don't go over 50% and the chances are you'll be fine...thats what I have

[NapaPlinker]

I'm getting mine done tomorrow. I chose 50 for driver and passenger side the rest limo.

[Tripper]

theres also medical reasons you can get it, but still only 20% or 22%.
its hard on LEO, unless they have an actual piece of test equipment, been through that one myself, on a factory tint job (smoked glass). its impossible for an officer to claim they can tell its tinted xx%, that would be pretty much lying. I used to have it from CHP FAQ, that tinting was not illegal. couldnt find it last i looked though.

Tripper

[Tripper]

sorry, 20/22% light something, not the tint.

Tripper

[Tripper]

hmm, found it, go down to the 'however' part

source = 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.