window tint: to stay legal or to not that is the question?

[abond2014]

Hey everyone,
Here in the lovely state of Taxechusetts we have a tint law that wont let me go darker than 35% on the front two windows, I am curious what you all have done in your state. Ideally i want to go darker but im not sure if in a big boy car that they will bother me like they used to in the old lifted f150. Thanks everyone, im running a black on black '15i denali

 

[fiatdale]

When I lived in NY, I got 3 tint tickets in 2 years for 20% on the fronts. Been in Texas for 9 years, have had 5% on the fronts (illegal - 35% is legal here on fronts), and zero tickets.

Bunch of Massholes up there man.

 

[drakon543]

You could just live here in pa where the rule is supposedly no darker than 70%. They dont seem to care unless doing something else that gives them a reason to pull u over. My pontiac is 15,10,5 and ive had it for 3 years.

 

[gat0r]

they may leave you alone...until they pull you over for something else hehehe.

how rough are they on inspections? some places here wont touch a vehicle if tint is too dark. so we have to find shops that will over look

 

[drakon543]

Never had a problem anywhere i went. Ive heard of shops around here denying inspection because of it tho.

 

[abond2014]

inspections arent an issue for me due to my career of choice but the tickets charging onto insurance is what i want to avoid

 

[gat0r]

to avoid those headaches, i did 35% on front doors & 5% on rear doors/glass
also the clear w/ 5% brow on windshield.

it cuts down on heat enough

 

[08HoeCD]

I had tint added to my two front windows. When considering the darkness, the woman at the shop reminded me that there is 'legal,' and then there is 'non-legal.' But the only people who are cited for non-legal tint are those who are doing something else to cause being stopped by LEOs.

I never really focused on it prior, but since talking to her I'm noticing many, many cars in my area are definitely running non-legal tint levels.....and no one seems to have issues.

ETA: I live in the Northern Virginia area, and I opted to go 35% for front windows, whereas the legal limit is 50%. No issues. I'm sure the scrutiny by LEOs varies by state/region.

 

[1992rs]

I run 15% ceramic tint on my fronts. No problems for the 7 months I've had it and I can only assume I attract a lot of attention from LEO's due to my LED's and retrofit. Oregon is no less than 35% LT.

Two things to consider. What color is the tint and your interior color. I've noticed ceramic tint is more of a dark grey color than black like you see on dyed tint, which helps you get a lower LT for UV reduction and "get away" with it. Darker interiors are going to exaggerate the tint and "black out" the windows even more.

Cliff notes version: On an all black denali, I'd run 15% ceramic tint and roll with it. To my knowledge, tint tickets are fix-it tickets, which shouldn't influence insurance.

 

[abond2014]

yeah my truck is the ol black on black interior so im considering 35% on the fronts and darkening the rest of the windows

 

[Cshayes2]

Here in Alabama I had 1 state trooper mention it when I got cited for a speeding ticket. Never been specifically pulled over for it. I have 50 on the windshield 20 front 5 over stock everywhere else. Another thing to beat the system if you happen to know an eye doctor or are buddy buddy with yours they can write you a note sayin you need it because your eyes are sensitive. Had a cop pull over a friend in high school and went to town on him for everything he could find, he got out of the tint ticket using a note from the doctor and he keeps it in his glove box

 

[abond2014]

Ive heard a horror story of the state putting restrictions on licenses with the tint exemption forms :/... lol imagine that

 

[16SLE91]

35% windshield, double 5% visor, and double limo wrapped around. I see fine at night. Especially with the LED / Rigid combo. Pics were taken at noon witha high temp 108 degrees out.

 

[Erik G]

When I lived in NY, I got 3 tint tickets in 2 years for 20% on the fronts. Been in Texas for 9 years, have had 5% on the fronts (illegal - 35% is legal here on fronts), and zero tickets.

Bunch of Massholes up there man.

I got away with 15% in my front windows for 2 years in Houston, until I got caught speeding

He let me off on the speeding but wrote me up for the windows. Took pics of me tearing it off (heat gun) and went to court. Judge let me off for $40 processing fee. I was ok with that

 

[gat0r]

35% windshield, double 5% visor, and double limo wrapped around. I see fine at night. Especially with the LED / Rigid combo. Pics were taken at noon witha high temp 108 degrees out.



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luv that tint setup

what rigid light(s) do u have?

 

[16SLE91]

Thanks it's the rigid 6 inch flood light bar. I put them in the fog lamp housing. Here's a pick from inside

 

[gat0r]

looks like no tint on windshield from inside
of course that could be from the dbl limo, looking in from outside. lol

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

here in arizona its 33 percent on the front windows and hte rear and back windows can be blacked out if you want

 

[drakon543]

Here in pa you can get out of the ticket itself by doing what erik g did. My buddy had 10 on this driver and pass windows and 5 on the rest. Took it off went to court blah blah ticket gone. When he left the court house he immediately drove it back to the tint shop he uses and had them retint it with a lighter tint.

 

[Illnasty]

Here in NJ any tint on the front windows are illegal. Why? Because years ago a state trooper was shot and killed when he walked up to a car with tinted windows. So the typical NJ knee jerk reaction was to ban tinted windows on the people of NJ. But if you are in law enforcement, your issued vehicle can have the front windows painted black if you want. You know, one set of laws for them, and one set of laws for us.

With that said I've had tinted windows for over 15 years and got pulled over maybe 3 times for that offense. Also helps that I have a get out of jail free card so cops usually let me go without a ticket. I think it really matters what you drive. If you're rolling around in an all black civic with white wheels, you're probably more likely to get pulled over. As per inspection, we only check emissions so you can roll up with a cracked windshield, no headlights, and tints and still pass if you're not polluting the environment.

Just a tip, get tint that has heat rejection. It will keep the interior cool and prolong the appearance. It's usually tint with ceramic, no idea what that means but get it. I have to get mine redone cause I just have dyed film and it's terrible.