What to Know Before Getting Your Windows Tinted

Window tinting has been a popular method of controlling sunlight in vehicles for many years, and it continues to be a preferred method of protecting your eyes, skin, and car's interior from harmful UV rays. Before getting your windows tinted, however, it is important to know how window tinting works and how your local jurisdiction has legislated the practice.

Getting Your Windshield Tinted

In Texas, for example, getting your windows tinted is legal as long as the tint on the windshield does not extend below the car manufacturer's AS-1 line, or five inches, whichever is shorter. In addition, the light transmittance value must be at least 25 percent, and the reflection value cannot be more than 25 percent when tinting the windshield or front windows.

Window Tinting Colors

In some states, including Texas, getting your windows tinted is fine as long as you avoid certain colors of tint. In Texas, the prohibited colors are blue, red, and amber, and using those colors can result in a misdemeanor citation.

Back Window Tinting

There may also be window tinting laws for the back window of the vehicle. In Texas, your car must be equipped with dual side mirrors if you tint the back window. The windshield, however, is the window most drivers are concerned above, because it emits the most light and is most susceptible to sun damage for people and the vehicle's interior.

Medical Exemptions for Window Tinting

If you have a medical condition that requires getting your windows tinted in excess of what your state laws permit, you might be able to obtain an exemption. In Georgia, for example, you can fill out an attestation form signed by your physician that provides the Department of Public Safety with a diagnosis that requires limited exposure to the sun.

Keep in mind, however, that even if you have a medical exemption that permits getting your windows tinted, you might still be pulled over by police officers who notice your windows. For this reason, it is important to carry your limited exemption notice with you at all times.

Hiring a Professional

You can purchase kits and other products for getting your windows tinted, but it is always best to have a professional do it for you. The tinting will be more precise, and auto shops are familiar with state and local laws that you might not even know exist. Furthermore, you'll have a warranty on the work they perform; if it fails, you can take it back to have it done again.

However, when getting your windows tinted, make sure you are taking your vehicle to a reliable professional. Ask for referrals from friends and colleagues, for example, who can attest to the mechanic's expertise. Otherwise, you might wind up with a substandard or illegal tint that could cause trouble down the road.

Sources:

Texas Dept. of Public Safety
Georgia Dept. of Public Safety