Window Tint Laws By State - How Have You Tinted Your Windows?

ALCON,

In the last week, I've seen a few threads with after market window tint questions, factory tint questions, tint style quality questions, etc. I thought it would make sense to try and create one common thread for this information ( yes I know, yet another thread, lol ). As useful information or corrections are recommended/added, I will make every effort to keep this OP updated.

Feel free to post your experiences and real world observations.

Window Tint Laws by State
https://www.tinting-laws.com/

Federal Window Tint Laws
(d)Coloring or tinting of windshields and windows. Coloring or tinting of windshields and the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver is allowed, provided the parallel luminous transmittance through the colored or tinted glazing is not less than 70 percent of the light at normal incidence in those portions of the windshield or windows which are marked as having a parallel luminous transmittance of not less than 70 percent. The transmittance restriction does not apply to other windows on the commercial motor vehicle.

(2)Decals and stickers mounted on the windshield. Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection decals, and stickers and/or decals required under Federal or State laws may be placed at the bottom or sides of the windshield provided such decals or stickers do not extend more than 115 mm (4 1/2 inches) from the bottom of the windshield and are located outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs or signals.

Window Tint on US Military Bases
Vehicle window tinting policies - Navy allows for a maximum of 18-percent tint on the driver and front-passenger windows. The backside windows and the back windshield can be tinted. However, only a six-inch tint is permitted on the front windshield. Navy personnel who have PCS'd to Guam must register their vehicles with the security offices at Naval Base Guam, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam or Naval Hospital Guam in order to drive on Navy bases. On Andersen Air Force Base all vehicles windows tinted at or below 80% of light reflected will be allowed entry onto Andersen AFB. Additionally, window tint cannot exist more than 6" below the bottom edge of the top windshield trim. Pass and ID personnel will measure window tinting prior to registering any vehicle on the base. Installation entry guards may also measure tinting. However, Navy does allow enforcement of applicable state laws.

When you are assigned to a duty station in a state, your home of record remains in your home state. You are treated in CA as any other "tourist" would be. You are covered as being active duty military. Your income taxes are paid back to your state of record as remain your DL and registration. If you are pulled over and ticketed for removal in a strict tint state, you will need to provide acceptable evidence to presiding judge of the laws regarding your state and your Active Duty status exemption if your home stated has more relaxed laws.


2018 Tacoma Factory Tint
Windshield: 70% Tint, 100% UV Reduction, 55% Heat Reduction
Front Door: 70% Tint, 55% UV Reduction, 45% Heat Reduction
Rear Door (Access Cab, w/o Privacy): 70% Tint, 58% UV Reduction, 62% Heat Reduction
Rear Door (Access Cab, with Privacy): 20% Tint, 18% UV Reduction, 25% Heat Reduction
Rear Door (Double Cab, w/o Privacy): 70% Tint, 55% UV Reduction, 45% Heat Reduction
Rear Door (Double Cab, with Privacy): 20% Tint, 80% UV Reduction, 75% Heat Reduction
Back Window (w/o Privacy): 70% Tint, 44% UV Reduction, 53% Heat Reduction
Back Window (with Privacy): 20% Tint, 18% UV Reduction, 25% Heat Reduction

Basic Window Tint Information ( WikiPedia )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_film

Interesting Articles
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/sdut-window-tint-laws-strict-2013apr16-story.html

Real World Examples Not Being Bothered by Law Enforcement
ALASKA
Front - 5%, Rear - 5% ( Windshield 70% )

ARIZONA
Front - 20%, Rear - 20%

CALIFORNIA NORTHERN
Front 35%, Rear - 15%: Ceramic Lluminar

GEORGIA
Front - 15%, Rear - 15% ( 50% Windshield )

HAWAII
Front - 5%, Rear - 5%

ILLINOIS
Front 50%

MICHIGAN
Front - 30-35%, Rear - 30-35%

MONTANA
Front - N/A, Rear - 70%

NEVADA
Front 15%, Rear 15%

SOUTH CAROLINA
Front 27%, Rear 27%

Edit: 20MAR - Real world additions, military base clarification

 

I have 15% on the front two windows and 5% on the rest, When I put the meter on it the fronts read 10% and the rear 1%, I have yet to tint my windshield but have in the past and it makes a huge difference in this Texas heat!!

 

I have whatever came on the truck. Never any worries.

G.

 

I had the rears tinted to about 15% and the front two windows at 35%. I went with ceramic and my tinter uses Llumar film. I like the way windshield tint looks, but in my town it’s pretty much an instant stop and not worth the hassle. The 35 on the front two windows and no front plate hasn’t ever triggered a stop by the cops in my town.

 

Damn, how the heck do you get your vehicle to Guam and back. Back when I was in then Navy, we registered our vehicles at the Base we were assigned to. It was a pain in the ass but at least we didn't have to go all the ways to Guam. Damn.

 

LOL - I’m sure the intent is if you’re PCS’d there.

 

5% wrapped in hawaii is automatic on the windward side

 

I went 50% in front (legal in illinois) I will most likely change it next couple weeks to match the back and add a banner... At least I can say i tried legal.

 

wait people follow tint laws? interesting

 

Nevada.
35% max on front
No limit on rears

I have 15% all around so I can pick my nose at will

 

Tinted my fronts to match the back...I think it's 20%. Far from the darkest tint I've seen in AZ but still technically darker than legally allowed. I don't think anyone cares too much about it - everyone's windows are tinted in Phoenix.

 

My truck has 30 or 35% all the way around (no windshield). I’ve never been pulled over in the 5 years I’ve had it.

My Saab has like 5-10% all the way around too. That thing is a damn cop magnet. I seriously get pulled over once a month in it. Just on Monday I was pulled over for the tint again, and received a warning for it. I ended up peeling it off this time because I’m sick of getting pulled over in it.

 

Mine are 27% which is state max.

 

Updated OP.

 

20% in the front to match the rear. So far so good. I'd love to do the windshield, but so few have it here and I don't wanna stand out.

 

(Hawaii) 35% is the lowest legal tint for the fronts and rears have no limit on trucks . Cars have to be 35% all around. Unless you get DaKine safety check hookup 5% works.$.02

 

I’ve got 5% all around in Kentucky. Had it for almost a month and haven’t been pulled over. My friends never have either. Anything below 20 is illegal here

 

Not a 3rd Gen but I just got 20% on the fronts of my 99 last week!

 

The stock tint is really 70%? That means I'd have to go with 50% to stay legal in MA. I did 40 on my last car and it looked good, I personally do not like the painted on look of dark tint and it can be dangerous at night.

 

30% front windows in SoCal