window tint

Its illegal to have it on any vehicle on passenger and driver side. Do people follow the rule? NOPE. But Some cops don't care some do, especially in TX the DOT will give you a hazel for tints. Save yourself trouble and money and don't put any on.

 

You have to take into consideration the lightest tint available in stores is 70% which is the maximum by the DOT. But you also have to take into consideration the factory tint which is around 90% light emittance. Add the two together and you are around 60% which would fail you with their light test meter. You would have to find a film around 80% to stay legal.

Then you have the issue of where you run. If you stayed south of I-20 or maybe even I-40 where window tint is normally used 70% shouldn't be an issue. It's when you get above I-40 in them states that don't use window tint that much you might find the tint police.

I would consider other solutions like a roll down shade or something that is not permanently installed. Being you rely on your mirrors heavily window tint isn't the best solution for night time driving.

The DOT knows the lightest tint made is 70% so that's why they say that. Most drivers don't consider what they have with the factory glass so they open themselves up to a violation. If they weren't such sneaky weasels they would just say NO Tint allowed and save some the hassle and violation.

 

Its not illegal until you get caught

 

Then you decide if you like the bill.

Guy on another forum got a warning with fine and decided to ignore it. When he got stopped at another scale in a different state, was found to have gotten the warning and received a fine of 1100.00 or so.

 

windows come with 22% tint. that's 78% light transmittance going through.

8% is all the room you got left. and you won't find anything that light.

used to be a certified safety inspector. and had access to a light meter. it's required equipment in order for a shop to be licensed by the state.

 

The few cases I heard they made them tear it off right there. Then you are stuck with a bunch of glue on there until you find a razor blade.

 

Iowa wrote a friend a 187.00 award ticket and he was allowed to go on.

 

This might be an alternative to traditional dark tints.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...ve/Crystalline_Automotive_Films/#BVRRWidgetID

http://wot.motortrend.com/3ms-window-films-block-heat-uv-rays-dark-tint-77391.html

 

The way the Fla. DOT explained it to me was if you have factory tinted windows and you add film your illegal. Like someone else pointed out you add the factory tint and the film and it's too dark. I got a verbal warning and have no tint today. If he had written me up I think it was $187.00. I like the look of 50% tint but I don't need the aggravation.