Georgia Vehicle Window Tinting Laws

Residents in Georgia were given a temporary pass on illegal window tinting for a few months. In January 2008, lawmakers did the unthinkable and actually retracted the Georgia window tint law! This was short lived, however, effective June 1, 2008. A new Window Tinting Law has been put into effect, and this is the information I have compiled from a Google search regarding such. Be sure to check with your locality for the laws where you live.

The new law that went into effect mimics the old law. Residents and non-residents alike are required to make sure that tinting film applied does not block more than 32 percent of light entering into the vehicle. Window tinting film is classified into percentages, ie: 5%, 10%, etc. The lower the percentage, the darker the tint. Vehicle owners can not gauge if their tint is too dark by the film percentage. Most vehicles have factory tint already, and applying even a 30% film could put you in the ticket danger zone if your vehicle does have factory tint.

Non reflective film can be applied to any window, except for the front windshield, as long as the total light transmission (amount of light let in) is not less than 32%, plus or minus 2%. So if you check you window with a tint meter, and it reads 34%, you are in the clear. This applies to only the 2 front windows on some SUVs, limos and vans, as the rear windows may be as dark as you wish. Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to verify. The light reflectance on all film must be less than 20%, which means that reflective film is not allowed. Reflective tint film has a platinum or mirror look to it. The colors red and amber are also prohibited.

Some people like to have a small strip of film applied to the top of the front windshield. Under the new law, that is fine, as long as it is no longer than 6 inches from the top of the windshield. Georgia law does not mention the AS-1 line at all, unlike other states.

Any driver or passenger with a medical condition that would require any material or glazing to be applied that would violate Georgia law, must have an exemption issued by the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Any driver or window tint film installer found to be in violation of Georgia regulations could be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and possibly face up to 12 months in prison. A few vehicles may be exempt from the previously mentioned regulations: Buses, trailers, law enforcement vehicles, mobile homes, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and recreational vehicles. Again, check with your locality to find out the specific regulations governing these vehicles.