Window Tint Legality

[TheTrueMoron]

A few days ago my dad was telling me about a problem he had when he was getting my truck inspected. Apparently the inspector had some device that he uses to measure window tint and he used it on my truck and discovered that it was an illegal amount. He let it slide because he obviously knew that my dad wasn't too happy with that but he mentioned that he could get in huge trouble with the state if anyone found out that he passed my truck. Are these new tint measuring devices required in Texas now? Has anyone else had any problems with these? I really need to know how to get around this without changing my tint.

 

Next related topic: My truck came from the factory with 20% tint on the rear passenger windows and the rear window. If the law changed after the manufacturing date of my truck, can I still be fined for the tint being too dark from the factory?

 

Just for clarification: The law in Texas is 25% front and rear, right? (As of 2003, which is the latest tinting law updates that I can find.)

[Darkanion]

Texas DPS FAQ on Window Tint

 

Windshield

Glass coating or sunscreening devices

 

• Cannot extend downward beyond the AS-1 line; or
  
• Cannot extend more than 5 inches from the top of the windshield without an AS-1 line.
  • If sunscreening devices are used above the AS-1 area of the windshield, the light transmittance value must be 25% or more;
    
  • The luminous reflectance of any additional sunscreening devices used must be 25% or less;
    
  • Sunscreening device cannot be red, blue or amber in color.
    

   

   

Front Windows

Windows to the immediate left and right of the operator must have at least 25% light transmittance and luminous reflectance of 25% or less, over the entire surface area of the window.

 

 

 

• Side windows to the rear of the driver, both left and right, have no minimum requirement for light transmission
  
  

*Rear (back) Window

 

• If vehicle has left and right outside mirrors, there is no minimum light transmission requirement.
  
• If not equipped with both outside mirrors, the rear window must have no less than 25% light transmittance and a luminous reflectance of 25% or less.
  
• The manufacturers installed glazing shade band is excluded.
  

 

[Zembonez]

In Texas, 35% on the front 2 glasses is all that is allowed by law. Inspection stations are required to meter the tint to see if it complies. Failure to do so can result in big time fines and/or suspension of their inspection license. You shop is taking a big risk by letting you pass. DPS sends "ringer" cars out for inspection to check up on the stations. They are pretty vigilant.

 

What I do is this: New trucks come with a 2 year inspection sticker. I get my fronts tinted with 20 and all the rest tinted 5% (limo). If I still own the truck at the two year mark (which is unlikely) I strip the two front doors and go get it inspected... then it's a trip to my tinter to get them redone... $50.00 later I am all good. No biggie and it's worth every penny.

 

BTW, Tint shops are controlled by the same regulations as inspection stations, so many will not do anything beyond 35% on the fronts. It's pretty easy to find a way around it though... If you know a few people.

 

I have been pulled over once for "tint", but they were really pulling me for driving way to fast but were unable to clock me. I got a warning for the tint and was sent on my way.

 

EDIT: 35% film plus the standard factory tint cannot equal less than 25% or they can ticket you.

[Wingnut]

You can always get around it by getting an eye doctor to write you a prescription for darker tint. You can even get one for tinting your windshield.

[BigJayDogg3]

I got mine from the love doctor.

[Zembonez]

I got mine from the love doctor.

Would that be the Doctor of Love?

[BigJayDogg3]

I got mine from the love doctor.

Would that be the Doctor of Love?

 

 

 

Yep, we were on the Love Boat to boot.

[omegafiler]

It used to be 35% in TX, but was later changed to 25% for the front 2 side windows. Just keep it legal. No point in giving cops a reason to pull you over, let alone having to deal with it every year for state inspection. Medical exception could also work, but you'll still need to contact the DPS as those exceptions are done on a case-by-case basis.

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

I don't mean to spoil the fun here, and I'm sorry if I do, but I HAVE to say this:

 

My father recently had a very severe accident. 100% not his fault.

He lost his right leg.

 

The other driver had full window tint and claimed that he did not see my father coming.

 

I guess since then I got a little more sensitive if it comes to tinted driver windows.

 

Do what you have to do.

[Zembonez]

It used to be 35% in TX, but was later changed to 25% for the front 2 side windows.

Yeah. 35% film plus the factory tint will normally net you somewhere between 26 and 28% As long as it doesn't go below 25% it should be ok. I still run 20% on the fronts and change it out when inspection comes around.

[Darkanion]

It used to be 35% in TX, but was later changed to 25% for the front 2 side windows. Just keep it legal. No point in giving cops a reason to pull you over, let alone having to deal with it every year for state inspection. Medical exception could also work, but you'll still need to contact the DPS as those exceptions are done on a case-by-case basis.

 

Couldn't a medical exception for your eyes potentially effect your driver's license (i.e. restrictions)?

[Nytemare]

Don't bitch...at least your allowed tint, even if it is a low amount.

 

This dumb Province doesn't allow it at all in the front 3 windows. Except the sunscreen at the top of the windshield.

 

 

25% is a pretty decant tint, I assume you are allowed darker in the rear windows, so it will actually look a lot darker than 25% on the fronts from the outside. I'd like to even have a 50%, just something to bring the tinted look forward and blend the windows with the body.

[lennyg]

Don't bitch...at least your allowed tint, even if it is a low amount.

 

This dumb Province doesn't allow it at all in the front 3 windows. Except the sunscreen at the top of the windshield.

 

 

25% is a pretty decant tint, I assume you are allowed darker in the rear windows, so it will actually look a lot darker than 25% on the fronts from the outside. I'd like to even have a 50%, just something to bring the tinted look forward and blend the windows with the body.

You guys are a bunch of worry warts.

I've had limo on all my trucks and cars since the 90's. You can go as dark as you want on the rear windows.

As far as the driver and passenger window i usually go about 10%. Very simple. You roll down your windows, Pull the fuse and go get it inspected. I havee never had any issues with this,and it was told to me by a safety inspector.

I will tell you this though. If you get pulled over by TXDPS they will check your tint right then and there. and give you a ticket. Still a easy work around. I went and found a truck the same color as mine,took a pic of the windows,called the DPS office and told them i had pulled the tint off. Sent them a email with the pic of the tintless truck and had to pay a $30 fee. Alot better than the normal $200 tint fee.

I drive around DFW all day long and have neve had any issues other than DPS once or twice.

[Rocco715]

In Michigan all you are allowed is to have a 4" strip along the top edge of the window and the visor can only be 6" on the windshield. I have 35% on the front windows of both my trucks and (knock on wood) haven't been bothered but in the back You can make them solid if you want. usually in my area 20% and lower will get you in trouble.

[Lincoln30]

I've been running illegal tint for on just about everything I've owned for 25 years and only once about 4 years ago did an inspection station pull out the meter. At that time I was told that anything above 15% on the meter will pass (mine read 11 with 20% tint over the factory glass). That same day I figured out that nobody calibrates these meters. I stopped at 3 more places and asked them to meter my tint. the readings were 9, 14, and 17. 17 did my inspection that day I've since moved and found a station in my neighborhood that doesn't check it. No, I won't tell you where "my" little find is b/c I have three vehicles that I need inspected every year by this guy but I will say with a little legwork these are not hard to find. Try small gas stations in the most expensive neighborhoods, off the beaten path, not surrounded by a bunch other shops that do inspections.

 

TxDPS MIGHT check your tint if they pull you over but they will not necessarily give you a ticket. I've been pulled over by DPS and checked but not ticketed, I've also been pulled over and not had the tint checked. I've been with someone else that's been pulled over and ticketed for speeding, the officer wrote on the speeding ticket about the tint but did not issue a seperate violatation.