The legality of window tint, taillight tint, and headlight tint gets brought up quite often so I figured we could create a thread and maybe members from thier respective states could post thier state's laws regarding tint.

 

MICHIGAN:

WINDOW TINT:

Question: Can I have tinted windows on my vehicle?

Answer: The law that covers window applications is MCL 257.709 . The use of tinting is limited to the rear side windows, the rear window if the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides, and the top 4 inches of the front side windows. There is a limited exception for medical necessity with a doctor's prescription, which allows for tinting to be applied to the front side windows as well. Michigan does not have a specification for the darkness of the window application, but does prohibit applications with a solar reflectivity greater than 35%.


EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTING

Question: Are smoked-out headlight covers legal?

Answer: The Michigan Vehicle Code requires head lamps to emit a white light, with "high-beams" of intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 350 feet ahead, and low-beams of intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead. Since smoked headlamp covers change the color of light, and/or decrease their intensity below the requirements, they should not be used when headlamps are required to be on. However, smoked headlamp covers may be used when headlamps are not on, and not required.

Question: Is having smoked tail light/brake covers legal in Michigan? How about the smoked ones with slashes or vents in them showing a small part of the original red lens?

Answer: MCL 257.686 requires a tail lamp to emit a red light plainly visible for at least 500 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

MCL 257.697 requires stop lamps to emit a red or amber light and be capable of being seen and distinguished from other lamps for a distance of 100 feet, including during normal daylight.
If the cover you apply prohibits the lamp from meeting these requirements then it is unlawful.

 

Here is a good resource. I posted the Il. law since that applies to myself..http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/IL/

However, for the most part it seems these laws are ignored, BUT you never know when a cop will get bored and decide to pick on you!

 

Ontario law states:

Colour coating obscuring interior

(3) No person shall drive on a highway a motor vehicle on which the surface of the windshield or of any window to the direct left or right of the driver's seat has been coated with any coloured spray or other coloured or reflective material that substantially obscures the interior of the motor vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (3).

Windows to afford clear view

74. (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway,

(a) unless the windshield and the windows on either side of the compartment containing the steering wheel are in such a condition as to afford the driver a clear view to the front and side of the motor vehicle; and

(b) unless the rear window is in such a condition as to afford the driver a clear view to the rear of the motor vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 74 (1).

Application of cl. (1) (b)

(2) Clause (1) (b) does not apply to a motor vehicle that is equipped with a mirror or mirrors securely attached to the motor vehicle and placed in such a position and maintained in such a condition as to afford the driver, otherwise than through the rear window, a clearly-reflected view of the roadway in the rear or of any vehicle approaching from the rear. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 74 (2).

 

Tail / head light tint is illegal in Ohio unless you are wearing a mullet.

 

so i have a question regarding the tint laws.

Lets say I get my windows tinted, I live in Indiana, so I can tint my front sides to a certain amount. Then I drive to Michigan (which i do quite often)... What happens? Can I get a ticket for that? I always wonder because it is their state's law, but my vehicle conforms to the laws in the state which it is registered...

I really want to tint my front sides a bit but i drive to Michigan a lot, and the cops in my Parent's town can be a$$hats. I haven't had a problem before but know a lot of people that have.

Either that or I need to go for an eye exam soon and was going to ask them about the doctors note for window tint. It would probably be beneficial anyways since my eyes are extremely sensitive to light, i wear sunglasses almost all the time outside. Sunny, cloudy, overcast, all the time.

 

I'm not going to say they won't, but usually if you are tagged from another state, they won't bother you. Now if it's extremely dark, you might get hassled. When I lived in South Carolina, the rear windows could be any darkness, the front doors, 35%. Tinted headlights/taillights are looked at like covers. If it is not factory, it's not illegal. If you get a ticket for them, you have to bring them into court for destruction. Needless to say, you ran a big risk if you sprayed them verses using a cover.

I'm in GA now. I looked into the tint laws here and pretty much the same on the windows, but I think the front door can be 27%. I haven't looked into the headlight/taillight part here.

 

As far as Texas goes, the side windows cannot be tinted any darker that 25%, The back window can be tinted as dark as you like, and Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.

The headlights and tail lights must emit light that is visible from 500 ft in front or behind the vehicle.

 

In WI the front windows can't be tinted, but I know so many people who have never got a ticket. One friend even knows a cop who doesn't know how to use the tint gauge thingy. I will be getting mine tinted soon. Would have done it some time the last few weeks, but I got a ticket a a month ago in MI (I was 15 miles frotm the IN border) so I put the tint on hold.

 

arkansas is pretty much the same as texas