Car window tinting entails applying a thin film on the window to darken it. Car tinting laws vary from state to state due to reasons such as climate, individual preference and safety considerations of each state. These laws are important as they help in preventing accidents by maintaining uniform practices. Car tinting laws also ensure that drivers do not use overly dark windows that might affect the ability of drivers to see clearly which consequently prevents accidents. These regulations are important as they help authorities to strike a balance between individual preference and maintaining public safety.
Benefits of Car Window Tinting
Car tinting has benefits to the users as it helps to block harmful ultraviolet rays which cause sunburn in both adults and children. It also aids in protecting the interior of cars, such as the upholstery and electronics, which can be damaged by harmful UV rays. Lastly, car tinting offers the car owner privacy as it prevents visibility from the outside.
Car Window tinting laws
Tint darkness
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is the amount of light that travels through a window film. This essentially means that if the VLT is 0%, then the film will be blocking 100% of the light. A 35% window tint blocks out approximately 65% of visible light. It is also important to point out that the AS-1 line is normally 5 inches parallel to the top of the windshield. Florida has distinct VLTs for different categories of cars, especially sedans and SUVs.
Sedan proprietors are permitted to place a non-reflective tint only above the AS-1 line. Sedan owners are also required to ensure that more than 28% of light passes through the front side windows, and the light passing through the back side and rear windows should be at least 15%.
For SUVs and vans, the law concerning non-reflective tint is similar to the law on sedans. SUV owners are required to allow more than 28% of light to pass through the front windows. For both the rear and back side windows, they are required to allow more than 6% of the light in.
Window tint reflection
Reflective window tints help in diverting sunlight away from the vehicle which consequently reduces the temperature inside the vehicle. They also help in reducing the glare and improve visibility. Regulation of window tint reflection is important as it ensures drivers are not distracted on the road. For all cars in Florida, the front side windows tint reflection should not be more than 25% and the back side windows tint reflection should not be more than 35%.
In addition to the main car window tinting laws, Florida has other pertinent laws concerning window tinting. If any back windows are tinted, drivers are required to have dual side mirrors. This is because rear windows are allowed to have a darker tint than front windows, which reduces visibility. Therefore, the side mirrors are put in place to cover the blind spots created by the darker tint on the rear. It is important to note that Florida does not permit any colored tint. Also, film manufacturers do not need to certify the film they sell. It is also important to note that the stickers required to identify legal tinting should be placed on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb.
Exceptions
Since some medical conditions require more car window tinting, Florida law allows for medical exemptions for darker tints. State law allows for the issuance of medical exemption certificates for persons with lupus and other autoimmune diseases which require low exposure to light.
Enforcement and penalties
Failure to meet these laws could lead to traffic violations. In Florida, having illegal window tint is a primary offence and could lead to the driver being fined as it is a non-moving violation. Law enforcement officers use special tools to measure the darkness of windows and rely on the information provided by the tools to make a decision on whether a driver has violated the law. This normally happens during traffic stops. The average penalty for such offences is $116.
The biggest risks associated with illegal car tinting include potentially causing accidents due to low visibility, mostly during nighttime. Moreover, the driver is liable to fines if found to have an illegal car tint by an officer of the law. Therefore, drivers need to comply with these laws.
Experts recommend that drivers should seek the help of professionals in the industry to ensure that their car tint does not violate the law. It is also important for drivers to ensure that they are well informed of any change in legislation on car tinting in Florida.
References :
2023 Florida Statutes https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/0316.2951
Ramos, Carolina do Val Ferreira, et al. “Do automotive window films affect drivers’ safety by decreasing vision sensitivity? A Cross-sectional study.” Revista brasileira de oftalmologia 81 (2022): e0034. https://www.scielo.br/j/rbof/a/P4KYCXFHpyDSGDP9D557ZVg/
Florida Medical Exemption Application Form https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/83390.pdf
David Wood Window tinting blogger (2022) The Dos and Don’ts of Car window tinting https://www.davidwoodwindowtinting.com/the-dos-and-don-ts-of-car-window-tinting