South Carolina Window Tinting Laws

Window tinting laws vary from state to state. It is always best to check with your state or locality to insure that any window tinting meets the current requirements for your locality. Failure to meet those requirements could result in failed inspections, traffic tickets or citations, fines, imprisonment and/or impounding of your vehicle.

The state of South Carolina is one of the toughest states with regards to window tinting, and enforces laws on the streets everyday. Law enforcement officers here also carry light meters/gauges that can calculate the Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT %) to determine if your tint is legal or not. South Carolina requires that not only are residents to abide by window tinting laws, but out-of-state visitors as well. That means even if your car is registered in another state, your vehicle is still expected to have legal window tint as regulated by the state of South Carolina.

With the exception of the front windshield, any window on a vehicle may be tinted with a combined film and window light transmission of no less than 27%. The film must also be non-reflective. Reflective tint film is not permitted at all, and the colors yellow, red and amber are not allowed. Front windshield tinting is becoming more and more common, and the state of South Carolina has addressed that issue as well. The windshield may be tinted only along the top of the windshield, and that strip may not fall below the AS1 line. In the event there is no AS1 line, then no window tint is allowed on the windshield at all. Window tint, also known as a sunscreening device, on the rear (back window) must also be non-reflective, and also no less than 27%. A "sunscreening device" is defined by South Carolina law as a film material or device that is designed to be used in conjunction with motor vehicle safety glazing materials for reducing the effects of the sun. If there is window tinting film on the rear (back) window, then side view mirrors must be present on the left side of the vehicle (driver's side view mirror), as well as the right side (passenger's side view mirror).

The state of South Carolina is one of the few states that also requires a certificate of compliance to be displayed on the vehicle. This certificate must be located on the inside lower right hand corner of each window that has aftermarket window tinting film installed. You do not need to display this certificate if your windows have only factory tint on them. Your certificate of compliance must list the percentage of light transmission, name of the installer along with their address and telephone number, and the date of installation. For the do-it-yourselfer, you must still display a certificate of compliance on each window. The state of South Carolina requires that all sunscreening devices sold or used in the state must include a certificate of compliance and instructions for proper installation. It is illegal to install window tint without the certificate of compliance. It is illegal to even sell window tint film that violates any of the state's regulations. The fine for the do-it-yourselfer for violating the regulations is$200 and possibly 30 days in jail. The fine for a professional window tinter selling or installing tinting film without the certificate of compliance is $1,000 and possibly 30 days of jail time.

For those who have a medical condition that may require a darker window film, a physician must sign an affidavit stating that the registered owner of the vehicle has a physical condition, or is a legal guardian of someone with a physical condition, that requires a film that would violate the state's regulations. The affidavit must be with the vehicle at all times, and updated every two years. This affidavit must be produced at the request of any law enforcement officer. If it is not readily available for inspection, the vehicle is in violation of South Carolina requirements. A driver found to be in violation of South Carolina regulations and found guilty can be fined $200 and possibly imprisoned for 30 days. A few vehicles are exempt from the previously mentioned regulations: Buses, trailers, mobile homes, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and recreational vehicles.