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Legal Front Windshield Tinting
By gguild | May 18, 2008
Front Windshield Tinting can be done legally in most states
Window tinting has become extremely popular in recent years, not just to make car interiors to feel cool but to make cars look cool, too. Is it possible to have windshield tinting done legally? Surprisingly, there are circumstances when a windshield can have window tinting applied.
Tinting auto glass is most popular in reducing the sun’s impact and inside temperatures of vehicles–especially in the sunny climates found in the Southwest. States have two main legal concerns in making any law about auto glass tinting. First, in daytime, the reduction of visible light transmitted (or VLT) through the glass is not of great consequence and is often helpful, but the lack of light transmission at night creates visibility hazards and safety concerns when objects cannot be seen clearly in low light. Second, many states, have determined it is in the interest of law enforcement and public safety to be able to see the driver and occupants through the windows when making traffic stops. With windshields, the interest is mostly in the former.
Legal restrictions to front windshield tinting in Southwestern states
Here is a brief run-down of laws governing windshield tinting in the various neighboring states of the Southwest:
Arizona and Nevada Windshield Tinting Restrictions
Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line on the windshield. Medical exemptions allowed for tint. No red or amber tints allowed.
New Mexico and Utah Windshield Tinting Restrictions
Rules in these states are the same as Arizona and Nevada except no colors of tint are explicitly excluded.
California Windshield Tinting Restrictions
Non-reflective windshield tinting strips only are allowed in the top four inches of the windshield. No exemptions, medical or otherwise. No red, amber or blue tints allowed.
Front Windshield Tinting just might improve your health
Prescription windshield tinting is possible when your doctor certifies that a medical exemption is desired. With the exception of California, states are not going to argue with your physician if he or she agrees with you about how the reduction of ultraviolet and infrared light is in the best interest of your health. The amount of tint allowed is going to vary from state to state and probably from year to year for the next few years as the understanding of what the skin damaging effects of ultraviolet and the irritating effects of infrared are just becoming more widely known.
It is advisable to secure the tinting you need and no more. Heavily dark tinted windows, no matter how cool they might look, are uncomfortable and dangerous at night and other low-light conditions. A driver simply is unable to discern people and objects in the dark in time to stop safely in the reduced visibility.
Before committing to a windshield tint, get details on the prescription requirements and if there are any restrictions to someone driving your car. Since there are no national standards governing windshield tinting and auto glass tinting in general, rules governing it is all up to the states.
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