Florida Window Tint Regulations
As with other states, Florida law does not require you to tint your windows. But, if you choose to do so, the tinted windows must comply with Florida’s legal window tint percentages. Keep in mind that Florida has different laws regarding window tint for passenger vehicles and SUVs.
Florida tint requirements are as follows: Front/Side Windows: 28% VLT. Back Window: 15% VLT. Rear Windows: No limit on tint darkness. Windshield: 15% VLT up to a medical exemption. Side and rear window reflective tint: 14% reflective tint allowable on a multi-purpose vehicle. If your vehicle does not meet the window tint laws and guidelines, there is a violation that could land a fine of up to $500. The fine could be increased up to $1,000 if it goes to court . In extreme circumstances, the judge may order the vehicle driver to remove the window tint.
Florida’s legal window tint percentages are in place for two main reasons: compliance and safety. By ensuring the tint on your vehicle complies with Florida law, you know how dark the shades can be and what visibility you will have. That way, whether day or night, you will still be able to see clearly. Likewise if tossed in the opposite direction, you will know how light the tint can be as well.
The tint laws are in place for safety reasons primarily, as they ensure drivers have clear visibility. In addition, they ensure that police officers can clearly see into the car as well. This is for their safety and the passenger’s safety.
What is the Percent of Legal Tint on Sedans in Florida
For sedans, vans, and SUV’s, the legal tint percentage in Florida is as follows:
Front Side Windows: + The front window tint must allow more than 28% of light in both the driver and passenger side windows.
Back Side Windows: + On sedans, vans, and SUV’s the legal tint percentage on the back side windows must allow more than 15% of light in.
Rear window: + In Florida, the legal tint percentage on the rear window must allow more than 15% of light in.
What are the Restrictions on SUVs and Vans
For SUVs and Vans, tint can be any darkness on the back windows, while the front window must be at least 35% tint darkness. The even stricter 6" rule applies here with SUVs and Vans as well. The entire windshield must have at least 6 inches of non-reflective tint from the uppermost area of the windshield down.
Otherwise, other rear and side windows on SUVs and Vans can have any darkness.
Penalties for Illegal Tint
The penalties for non-compliance can be stiff and multifaceted. First and foremost, violating the legal window tint percentages could subject the driver to a significant traffic fine. The law enforcement officer may issue a citation similar to a speeding ticket, which then becomes a matter of public record that must be resolved (with the payment of any fines incurred) in each respective jurisdiction in which the citation was issued. The payments can add up and be both time-consuming and costly.
Moreover, non-compliance could result in the need for inspection checks by law enforcement until the tint is brought into compliance, meaning an additional stop could become necessary each time that the person with non-compliant tint gets pulled over. Yet another repercussion concerns insurance coverage if you are in a car accident, and it is found that the tint on your vehicle was not within the legal requirements. In such a situation, it is possible that your insurance company will not pay for damages that arise from the accident. Even if uninsured motorist coverage exists to pay for damages arising from an accident with a party-you do not have to apply your policy’s deductible to repairs to your car if the other at-fault party’s coverage is not sufficient to pay for your loss up to the full extent of your damages. However, even if you have this type of coverage it is unlikely that your insurance policy will pay for your damages at all if they discover that you were driving a vehicle with non-compliant window tint when the accident happened.
The impact on vehicle registration is yet another concern. If you are pulled over by law enforcement for window tint that exceeds the statutory limitations, that officer can issue a Uniform Traffic Citation for your violation and report your violation to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ("DHSMV"). This means that the DHSMV will, in turn, flag your vehicle record to indicate the reason you received the citation, such that you will be unable to register your vehicle until you pay the fine. Checkpoints also exist and the law enforcement officer is likely to use these checkpoints to stop you and check for violations of the tint laws, which can have an impact on your work and your ability to get to appointments and meetings on time.
How To Measure Tint Levels
After you read the Florida window film law and understand the medical exceptions it’s a good idea to find out if your vehicle is in compliance. There’s two main ways to measure the tint percentage on your windows. One way is to simply purchase a 20% graded tint film, hold it up to your windows and see if your tint is darker or lighter than the test film. The other way is to buy a handheld window tint meter. This will instantly obtain the percentage of the light coming through your windows. Most vehicle owner’s today are not technicians or professional installers so the test film method is most readily available to you and should be used for front side windows to make sure they’re compliant with the law.
If you do choose to purchase a handheld tint meter, there is several different ones on the market . A basic meter for automotive window tinting will set you back around $200. That’s a hefty price to pay for something you’ll only use a couple of times. There are several types of meters used by tint professionals. They are as simple as aiming the device at the glass and pushing a button which means there’s no calibration required. If you’re considering purchasing one, make sure it meets the following criteria: Some professional tint shops will offer free tint percentage tests as a service. The best way to correct a non-compliant window or windshield film is to simply remove the film and start over with a reputable company that carries a signed, dated copy of the state’s official certificate of compliance.
Selecting Legal Window Tint
When selecting window tint, there are a few factors drivers should keep in mind to ensure they choose a product that meets Florida’s legal requirements. First, it’s important to educate yourself about the various shades that are allowable under state law. There are numerous options at various price points available both online and locally. Once you’ve selected a product that you feel will work well for your purposes, it’s wise to consult with one or more professional installers to ensure that it will not cause any visibility issues, such as blind spots, which could lead to an accident if not corrected.
It’s also a good idea to confirm that a product is compliant before making a purchase. A reputable shop will have a light meter on hand to ensure that a product meets tint percentage requirements. In fact, Florida law mandates on-the-spot testing of window tint on a vehicle by law enforcement officers who stop a vehicle with window tint to verify compliance with the law. Failing to do due diligence when selecting a product could lead to thousands of dollars in court costs having to be paid out-of-pocket if you’re pulled over and issued a fine or if you get in car accident because of impaired vision. While there are plenty of individuals and retailers who sell window tint without doing the research necessary to determine whether it meets legal requirements, you should not be tempted to accept a participating offer from a dealer whose ads you hear verbally. It’s important to independently verify that your window tint will be compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Window Tint Laws
Myth: All windows of my vehicle require equal darkness percentage.
Myth: My tint will never be darker than the factory window tint already on the vehicle.
Myth: Medical waivers are the only way to have darker than the normal tint.
Myth: The tint is too dark if I can’t see through it at night.
Myth: Tint is illegal.
Myth: I can tint my driver and passenger windows as dark as I want.
Myth: I can tint my windshield with strip or line of film.
Myth: There are no exemptions for the tint laws.
Myth: There is no certification required for the tint exemption.