Window tinting helps block the sun, along with the associated heat, making a vehicle inhabitable during the hotter months of the year.
In addition, window tinting will make your air conditioning system work more efficiently.
If you have been stopped by law enforcement for a window-tinting check, you are not alone.
Law enforcement want to see into your vehicle- for their own protection as well as to enforce laws such as seat belt requirement, child seat laws and especially to assess danger when they pull you over on the highway.
Your window tinting could lead to a summons and a fine if you are not paying attention to the legal limits of that tinting.
Here’s what you need to know about window tinting in Florida:
How is window tinting measured?
There are two main measurements: window tint darkness and window tint reflection.
Window tint darkness is measured by the percent of visible light allowed through the window. That’s called VLT: Visible Light Transmission.
Window tint reflection is measured by how much incoming light the window reflects.
What happens if you break the law?
Police officers can pull drivers over on reasonable suspicion and test the windows with a handheld device called a tint meter.
If your windows are too dark, you’ll be responsible for a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation. That means that your fine will be $116.
However, officers can fine you for each window that’s too dark, so the fines can add up.
What are the rules for window tint darkness?
In Florida, the law depends on what kind of vehicle you’re driving. It also depends on where the AS-1 line is on your windshield. It’s usually around five inches below the top of the glass.
For sedans, these are the rules:
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Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
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Front side windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
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Back side windows: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
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Rear window: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
For SUVs and vans:
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Front side windows: Must not be more than 25% reflective.
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Back side windows: Must not be more than 35% reflective.
What else you should know about window tinting in Florida
If any back windows are tinted, you’ll need dual side mirrors on your vehicle.
Florida prohibits any colored tint.
A sticker that identifies legal tinting is required on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb.
Some drivers are exempt from tint laws:
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Law enforcement
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Medical transportation
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Private investigators
