Are you living in California and want to decorate your car with tints and stickers? Are you not sure about the tinting laws in California? You are at the right place. Keep reading to learn California car tints’ rules and regulations. Nowadays, people are very conscious about how their cars look with new stickers and tints. However, before installing new tints and stickers, you must know about California’s new laws for car tinting. In this blog, you will find all the details about front-side window tints and their applicable laws.
What are the window tint laws for front-side windows in California? Most of
When we talk about California and its rules and regulations about vehicles and tinting, we find that California is the 3rd largest state in the USA, where 1 out of 8 Americans live. Moreover, the foreigners also work and live here. Mostly, the drivers in this state are foreigners working in commercial areas. So, road safety is a crucial matter for the state. In this term, California enacted car tinting rules in 1999 and revised them in 2023.
According to these laws, car tinting is allowed, but application rules differ for windshields, front-side, back-side, and rear windows. However, we will discuss all the tiny details about the front-side windows. The windscreen and front-side window are the most important and visible. In California, only a 4-inch window tint is allowed on the windshield. However, for the front-side window, visibility and transparency should be 88% and a minimum of 70% UVT. Also, the tint should not reflect sunlight more than a simple window screen. UV lights must pass through the screen; no obstacles or stickers are allowed on the front-side windows. As we know, California is a sun-soaked state, so drivers must follow the road safety rules. Furthermore, any UV reflection obstacle to reduce heat and sunlight on the front-side window is strictly banned in California.
Prohibited colors for front-side windows tint
In California, window tinting is allowed, but only under certain conditions. Tint color selection is another important thing. However, here is a list of window tint colors prohibited in California.
- Red
- Ombre
- Blue
- Dark shade of any bright color
While tinting your car, avoid these colors to protect yourself from legal disputes or fines.
Exemptions for window tinting
Here is a good gesture if you are a skin disease patient or have trouble with direct sunlight and UV rays. You can get exemptions for window tinting. However, a windows tinting exemption means you can get an extra favor in your windows tints. You can use dark shade on the front-side window and windshield to stop excessive heat and direct sunlight. Furthermore, you can also use a reflection mirror or obstacle if you have some skin allergy issues. Additionally, dark tint colors can be used if you get an exemption letter from authorities.
How can a driver get a window tinging exemption?
Driving in California is not such an easy task. As we know, California is a heat-absorbent city, and the drivers here must be physically fit. However, in rare cases, some drivers are allergic to direct sunlight and heat. These affected drives can get window tint exemption. However, the exemption needs procedural permission from the traffic management director. You have to follow these rules to get an exemption letter,
- You need a written note from a qualified physician that fully describes your condition and the side effects of UV rays or excess heat on your body.
- After that, submit this note with your application to traffic management.
- While the director approves your application, you have to wait patiently.
- Once your application gets approval, a permission letter is granted.
- You have to take this permission letter with you when traveling.
Certificates and stickers for window tinting
While using tints for your car, you must get a certificate sticker from the tinting company. This is a small sticker that includes information about the tinting firm. Automobile drivers in California who have tinted windows must have an authorized certification from the tint film manufacturer or tint installation firm that clearly states the tint film’s VLT percent. Moreover, this sticker shows the address, phone number, and email of a specific firm. However, this sticker certificate is essential because if there is some fault in filming your car, that firm is directly responsible.
Side-effects of front-side window tinting
While driving a vehicle, the drivers should be energetic and physically fit. However, some drivers demonstrated carelessness while traveling, which became the reason for severe accidents. Meanwhile, the window tints for front-side windows are considered the central reason for such carelessness and accidents. Let’s discuss the side effects of front-side window tints and how they can affect the driver’s attention.
- While driving a vehicle, dark color tints minimize the visualization and focus on the road.
- Front-side window tints do not allow direct sunlight to pass through and create a cozy environment in the car that can cause an accident.
- Moreover, the dark tint minimizes the vehicle’s inner view; the criminal can exploit it.
- Furthermore, a reflecting tint can cause extra reflection on the window and can irritate passers-by vehicles and pedestrians.
- Front-side window tints are also a central reason for accidents because drivers cannot focus on the road in bad weather and can hit passers-by.
Why do people use window tints for their cars?
This is a popular trend in California to decorate cars with different tints and stickers. However, people use window tints to change the vehicle’s look, protect it from direct sunlight, reduce excessive heat, and sometimes avoid UV rays. However, the tint rules vary from state to state. But, in California, tinting rules are observed very strictly. You cannot exaggerate the rules until you have an exemption letter.
Front-side window tinting for commercial and non-commercial vehicles
In California, two types of vehicles are common for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Sedans and SUVs are popular vehicles and are found on California roads. However, the window tint for the front side of both types is the same. Front-side glass or tint must pass 70% of VLT. VLT means visible light transmission, the standard for sunlight to pass through. Moreover, the windshield for commercial and non-commercial vehicles also has the same tint permission, which is only a four-inch strip. To learn more about window tint law percentage, refer to our article on (Click)
Conclusion
Finalizing the above, the query is fully justified: what are the window tint laws for the front-side window? However, window tinting rules are strictly observed and followed in California. Moreover, you will face penalties and tickets if these rules are violated. In addition, you must have the filming firm’s stickers and an exemption letter if you are allergic to or diseased by UV rays.
FAQs
What is a tinting film, and how can you use it?
Tinting film is a thin, non-ultraviolet paper used in car windows to stop direct sunlight and excess heat.
What are the tinting rules in California?
In California, you can use tinting in your vehicles, but the condition is 70% VLT for the front and back side and rear windows; you can use any shade and visibility tint.
What is the window tint law for windscreens in California?
In California, you can only use a four-inch tinting film for the windscreen. More than 4 inches is not allowed; you can face a fine or penalty if you violate these rules.