09.02.23
Car Window Tinting and Florida Law
Car window tinting is a method of applying a thin film to the interior surface of a vehicle’s windows. This material is designed to darken a car’s windows to block UV light, rejects sun heat and reduce glare from the sun and headlights.
Car window tint film is available in a variety of materials and shades. At Tint Magic Window Tinting we use Suntek window films. A standard performance measurement used for car window tinting is visible light transmission. A darker shade of car tinting has a lower percentage of light transmission. The tint affects how much light gets into the car and plays a part in reducing glare and how well a driver can see.
States Determine Window Tinting Law:
State laws regulate the level of darkness permitted for auto glass tinting. Window tint laws are created as a safety issue for drivers to see other vehicles better when driving and for law enforcement officers as they approach a car.
When determining how much to tint windows, you must check your state’s department of motor vehicles to learn about the regulations, such as the legal light transmission levels. Once you determine the levels allowed, you can choose the appropriate window tint film for your car.
State laws specify the level of tint allowed for each window of passenger vehicles. All states have restrictions on tinting applied to front windshields.
Most states limit the amount of tint on a car’s windshield or front side windows.
The percent of visible light allowed through your car windows is called VLT: Visible Light Transmission. The percentage of light allowed through your film and glass in Florida is very specific and different for sedan cars and SUV cars or vans.
Tint darkness for sedans:
- Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- Front Side windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
- Back Side windows: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
- Rear Window: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
Tint darkness for SUV and vans:
- Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- Front Side windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
- Back Side windows: Must allow more than 6% of light in.
- Rear Window: Must allow more than 6% of light in.
Window Tint Exemptions:
Many states provide car window tinting exemptions for drivers who have a legitimate medical or vision-related need to limit their exposure to sunlight. For example, a medical exemption certificate for dark window tinting may be issued to a person diagnosed with lupus or other medical conditions.
Typically, the driver with sunlight sensitivity may apply for a permit, waiver, or exemption from the state’s tinting law through the department of motor vehicles. The driver must submit the application with documentation that supports the medical necessity.