California Window Tint Laws Explained

What is California’s Legal Window Tint Limit?

Like most states, the Window Tint law in California places limits on the amount of visible light that can pass through your windows. In California, the Film Tint Law limits both the tint darkness and how reflective the window tint can be. Both of these Window Tint Laws in California are measured by a percentage. When measuring the tint darkness, the percentage refers to the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the window film and enter into the car. The percentage is represented by the letters VLT, which means visible light transmission. For example; if a 40% tint is applied to the windows of a vehicle, it will provide a lighter feel than a car tinted with a 15% VLT, or tint shade. California Law measures the darkness of the tint that is film that is installed on the windows of your vehicle. All film tint that is installed on the front windows and windshield must be measured and marked with a sticker approved from either the International Window Film Association or the American Window Film Association. Another thing to take note about California’s rules on tint darkness is that is limited in how much darkness you can have on your windshield . An approved tint strip may be applied to the top of the windshield of a vehicle if the permit is obtained. The tint strip must not go further down than the AS-1 line of the windshield. The tint shades that are allowed on the front windshield, and the darkness that is permitted are: In addition to having certain restrictions on the darkness of your window tint, California also has certain restrictions on window tinting reflectiveness. The reflectiveness of the tint is measured by the amount of mirror-like appearance that window film has when it’s installed on the glass. As a general rule, all window tint that is applied to the windshield cannot be more reflective than the vehicle’s window glass. All documents relating to the Window Tint Laws in California must be written in English. Vehicle Code Section 26708 and the California Civil code Section 1633 require that any documents that are submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicle that describe the exemption for darker tint on passenger vehicles must be set forth in the English language. Exceptions to the Window tint restrictions do not apply to drivers that use medical devices.

The Reason for California’s Tinting Regulations

One of the reasons that California is more strict about determining the transparency of window tinting materials is that some forms of tint make it extremely difficult for law enforcement to see the faces of car occupants. Furthermore, driving at night with tinted windows can be dangerous if drivers are unable to perceive their surroundings. Perhaps because of these safety concerns, in August of 2012 the California State Legislature voted near-unanimously in favor of AB 1303, which allows law enforcement officers to perform tint inspections on tinted windows without a warrant. Friendly police officers have suggested that drivers voluntarily remove their tinted windows in lieu of an inspection in order to avoid fees or citations, which may soon become financially significant.

Tinting Penalties and Fines

If you should find yourself and your car on the wrong end of the California Highway Patrol and they issue you a citation for having windows that are tinted in violation of California Vehicle Code Section 26708, you will have to visit the Santa Barbara Superior Court, located at 312 East Cook St. Santa Maria, CA.; 3121 Skyway Dr., Suite 110, Santa Barbara, CA; or 630 E. Mitchell — Suite 200, Santa Paula, CA. for Bat.
Bat is neither the name of an animal nor the name of a scary character out of a comic book. Bat is shorthand for "bad vehicle equipment tons-per-foot minus the registered weight of the car divided by the annual insurance premiums multiplied by the onus of driving with tinted windows". Bat is the fine.
Since Bat is a lot to type, simply refer to it as the "vehicle code fine for tinted-window violators." Upon being pulled over for tinted windows by the CHP and ticketed, you will have 60 days to pay the fine of $25 or $197 for commercial vehicles, or appear in court to contest the citation.
If one should choose to appear in court and contest the citation, the DA’s office must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the tint on the person’s car was darker (i.e. had a lower VLT percentage) than allowed by California law.
The burden of proof is on the DA (the person who issued the ticket) to prove that the person had illegal window tint. If the person loses in court on the tint, he or she will be required to pay the fine. However, it’s important to note that if the prosecutor does not have the evidence to prove the case by clear and convincing evidence, either the judge will dismiss the case, or the jury will find you not guilty.
In other words, it is costly for the DA’s office to prepare for a case and bring in the officer who cited the driver for tinted windows. If the DA calls "In Pro Pee" that is you, to state his case, the officer will testify under oath that the tinted windows were darker than allowed by law. Costs go up if the prosecutor tries the case with a police expert on window-tinting laws. Bat is not paid unless the prosecution obtains a conviction. Its purpose is to benefit the court and its budget, not the officer.
There is no reduction in the fine if the person gets the window tint removed to satisfy the citation. However, the officer does not have to appear in court if the tint is removed while the ticket is outstanding and the officer will likely dismiss the ticket or not report it. Before you rush down to the tint shop to get the glass legal again, remember that there is no guarantee that Bat will be reduced or dismissed.

Exceptions to the Tint Regulations

Certain medical conditions or other circumstances may exempt the driver from having to follow the tinted window rules set out above. For example, a driver who has undergone a cornea. Of course, the officer will have to issue the citation first, and then the driver will have to obtain a "scarce" exemption after the citation is issued. Essentially, a driver would have to go through the process of contesting his or her ticket in court, and then once in the court, present medical documentation to demonstrate that the tint exemption applies to him or her.
Note that there is no exemption from the tinting requirements for sun-sensitive children or adults, and that the exemption is not available to persons who simply prefer the tinted windows for other reasons. The exemption is only available to persons whose medical conditions make them vulnerable to UV light and whose physician has provided them with a diagnosis and prescription that demonstrates the need for darker window tints.
The law concerning window tint exemptions can be found in California Vehicle Code sections 26708(g)(1) and (2).

How To Measure Tinting on Vehicles

California window tinting laws are based on measuring the percentage of visible light that has been modified by the tint. You can measure this by using a measuring device. These can be handheld or mounted to your vehicle with suction cups.
One thing you want to look for is the minimum amount of light that can be blocked. This will vary depending on the type of window in your vehicle. For the front windshield, you want the maximum to be 70 percent VLT, meaning only 30 percent of the light is being blocked. For back passengers and rear window, however, there is no restriction. That means, for these windows, you could legally have it completely blacked out, if you wanted to .
If you have a high-end model, you may already have the device installed in your vehicles, so all you need to do is walk up to it and see what it says. However, the majority of drivers don’t have such an advantage. If you don’t have it, you can call up the dealership and see if they have a machine on-site or can at least point you in the direction of where to find one nearby.
Although they’re not perfect, a pair of simple UV filter sunglasses can give you an idea of whether or not your tinting is close to compliance. Your tint must be so that 70 percent of the UV rays coming into it gets through, which means 30 percent is filtered out. With these glasses, you should be able to see through your windows pretty well. If you can barely see at all, you probably need to have the tint on your windows redone.

Where To Get Tinting Done In California

When it comes to choosing a legal tint service in California, it’s important to find a service that’s not only reputable, but also knowledgeable of window tinting laws in the state. When you’re sat down with one of their technicians for a consultation, inquire about their knowledge of window tint cutting and plotting systems, and about their ability to recommend different legal window tints for your specific vehicle and needs.
Many legitimate businesses will have a catalog or brochure that displays all of the available tints they can install on your car or other vehicle. Be sure to ask for your technician to show you the legal tint limits for your vehicle, and compare them to the catalog they provide you with. Obviously, both should match if they’re legitimate.
Be sure to check with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and local police departments to make sure that the tinting company you choose is on their list of recommended services.

California Tint FAQs

The following are some commonly asked questions with their answers related to window tinting in California.
Q: Do I need a medical recommendation for my tinted windows?
A: Tinted windows do not provide an emotional support animal, and therefore, no you do not need a doctor’s recommendation.
Q: Is there a fee for a tinted window exemption?
A: As of Jan 1st, 2018 there is no fee.
Q: How does California define "sunscreening" products?
A: California does not define the term "sunscreening" product. California Vehicle Code Section 26708 (C) does, however, define what the term "sunscreening" means within the text of the statute.
Q: Do I have to have a doctor’s note to have tinted windows?
A: No, although aesthetic desire is a perfectly valid reason to seek out tinted windows, there is no law preventing one from seeking the protection of tinted windows.
Q: I had a car accident and my rear tint shattered. Why can’t I just leave it shattered.
A: Leaving a shattered tint on windows in a safety hazard for you as the driver and all of your passengers. Additionally, once your tint is shattered, it can actually damage the window regulator within the car . If the window falls into the door panel while the emergency is happening, you would be unable to bring your window back up to safety. Getting the tint removed to replace the window is imperative for your safety.
Q: How much shade can I have on my windshield?
A: As mentioned above, there are a number of factors that will go into the decision making process for how dark your tint gets. To give more clarity, the common outcome for front windshields includes a strip of tint across the top 5 inches of the window. On the rest of the windshield, it must stay 70% tint or lighter.
Q: Can I tint my front windshield to what the factory tint is?
A: Most vehicles have a certain percentage of tint on the front window when they are manufactured. Being required to keep the tint at 70% will not make it any different than the factory tint.
Q: Will I pass or fail the state safety check for my tint?
A: The tint inspection in California is not run by the DMV, but rather by the California Highway Patrol. Each officer has discretion to pass or fail you on the roadside inspection. If you are cited for having illegal tint, you will have to fix the tint within 30 days and return to the CHP to show proof of the correction.