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Thread: Legal or not?
- 08.18.2012 #1Light Load Member
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Legal or not?
Can anyone tell me if the retractable window shades that you usually see in the windows of cars to shield children from the sun are legal for big trucks? I run dedicated. Southbound 65 in the morning and northbound in the afternoon so the sun it's always coming right in on me through my drivers side window. My doctor expressed some concern about how dark my left arm is getting. Not to mention how hot my arm gets from sitting in the sun like that. I could definitely benefit from some type of shade on this window and I know I've seen some drivers using them. Thanks
- 08.18.2012 #2Road Train Member
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I have used them in the past and nothing was ever said about it. I have not seen them in some time. I would not mind having some myself. If nothing else, they would be good to put on the windows when you are parked to help keep the truck cooler in all this heat. The only thing that I know that is illegal is the dark tint. You may be able to go to the fmcsa website and find the answer to you question.
- 08.18.2012 #3Road Train Member
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I would think it would be considered an obstruction to your view. You can tint the windows, as long as the tint allows at least 70% of the light to pass through (blocks no more than 30%).
- 08.18.2012 #4Medium Load Member
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392.9 says that the driver's view cannot be obstructed.
393.60 says that window tint must be at least 70% light transmittant.
If an officer determines that the window shades "obstructed" the drivers view you could have a problem. I don't think any shades I have seen are 70% transmittant.
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- 08.18.2012 #5Road Train Member
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you need to find a window tint that blocks the UV rays but that meets the spec for visibility.
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- 08.18.2012 #6Road Train Member
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Long sleeve shirt and AC, or sunscreen. As far as I know those are both still DOT legal.My doctor expressed some concern about how dark my left arm is getting.
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- 08.18.2012 #7Road Train Member
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i know you all won't beleive it. but your going to have a very hard time finding any type of tint that blocks only 10 percent light.
your window already blocks 20 percent. jsut roll down your windoe a little enough to see the difference above and below the window line.
as a retired auto mechanic that did state safety inspections. the light meter showed 18 - 22 percent WITHOUT any added tint to the window. on any given car.
i don't think such a window exists that doesn't block any type of light. in other words, ZERO PERCENT.
tint used to be a big time seller. been a long time since i seen any shops selling it though. simply for the fact that they don't sell any tint light enough to not go over the limits when added to the window.
- 08.18.2012 #8Road Train Member
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I tried explaning that to my safety director. I'm not sure he was convinced.
- 08.19.2012 #9Road Train Member
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10 seconds with Google found me this:
http://www.snaptint.com/product.php?productid=16192
a clear window tint that blocks UV rays.
Of course you would need to be qualified to operate scissors or another sharp type of instrument to install!
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- 08.19.2012 #10Road Train Member
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DOT regulation 391.71 state you may have no other scissors in your truck except for the case of plastic safety scissors made prior to June 30, 2012.
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