What Are the Tint Laws in Florida?
Florida requires different levels of light transmission for the various windows in a vehicle. A windshield with non-reflective tint can be as dark as the top six inches, with the remainder of the windshield allowed to transmit up to 28% of light. The front side windows have tint limits that are darker than allowed in many states. This means that a vehicle registered in Florida is unable to use nigh-opaque film to cover the driver or passenger windows, unless the vehicle was registered in another state and already had the tint in place. Other vehicle windows are permitted approximately 22% window tint on sedans and 30% for trucks, vans, and SUVs. The rear and back windows in vehicles have a window tint limit of 15% for cars and 30% for trucks, vans, and SUVs. Standard rear windows are not regulated in any way, making them subject to having no tint at all or even black-out tint . Reflective window tint is not permitted any type of vehicle in Florida except in the top six inches of a vehicle’s windshield. The tint on the front side windows may not be reflective beyond 25 percent as is the case with the windshield. Vehicles registered in other states are required to have windows that are no more reflective than allowed for standard vehicles in Florida. Persons driving trucks, vans, or SUVs in Florida may apply for a medical exemption that allows them to use tint with a VLT of less than 15% on any or all of the windows. The application is completed by a physician who must indicate how a condition such as an autoimmune disorder, albinism, or certain drug allergies limits the patient’s sensitivity to bright light. This application must be presented at an authorized inspection station along with documentation that the tint has been installed.
Penalties for Tint Limit Violations
Violation of Florida tint laws carries a civil penalty of $250 for a first offense. Subsequent violations are subject to $500 fines. Courts may not suspend, defer, or defer adjudication of civil penalty fines. You will be required to pay fines regardless of the circumstances. Those who violate the law more than once face mandatory community service ranging from 10 to 50 hours, to be supervised by Community Service Programs in the county where the offense was committed.
Florida Statute ยง 318.21 issues a detailed breakdown of fees that would include anybody that violates a traffic offense, rather than a criminal offense, as these tint violations are classified. A first violation for non-compliance with the requirements would be subject to a fine of $83.00, plus the $3.50 service charge. A second violation would see that fine jump to $101.00. Further violations of the statute are all classified as $108.00, which would include 4th and subsequent violations.
Traffic tickets are paid through clerks of court. Civil Penalty dispositions are paid to the Clerk of Court in the county where the violation occurred. The fee is distributed as follows: 60% to the General Revenue Fund; 24% to the state court system; 8% to the county; and 8% to the municipality.
The law also stipulates that the officer could require you to show proof of complying window tint on the spot. If you do, you can’t be charged with illegal tint.
Advantages of Following Tint Regulations
Adhering to Florida’s legal tint limits provides numerous benefits for vehicle owners. Not only does it ensure safety and legality, but it can also save money on insurance and reduce the chances of being pulled over.
One of the most critical advantages of staying within the legal tint limits is that it promotes safety and visibility. By complying with the law, you ensure that you can see pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists clearly, even in low-light conditions. This not only helps you as a driver but makes the roads safer for everyone. Non-compliance could obscure your view and lead to dangerous driving situations.
Following the law offers peace of mind for you and fellow drivers. Non-compliance can lead to costly fines and unwanted law enforcement / police attention, especially in areas where traffic stops are common. Choosing to follow the law removes that risk altogether.
Most importantly, tint compliance can potentially save you money on your insurance – that is, provided you’re honest with your insurer and don’t ever remove the tint and then attempt to file an insurance claim. Many auto insurance policies offer lower premiums for vehicles that have window tint within legal limits, as this can actually reduce the risk of damage to the interior and help to keep the vehicle at a more stable room temperature.
Not only can compliance save you money on your insurance premiums, it can also save you the costs associated with having the tint removed and replaced should you fail to meet legal requirements. The money spent on having the tint replaced because of non-compliance could have gone toward other car repairs or modifications instead. Worse yet, any additional infractions encountered could completely void your vehicle warranty.
In short, staying within the legal limits for window tint in Florida enhances safety, ensures peace of mind, may save you money on insurance premiums and car repairs, and can help you avoid unnecessary encounters with law enforcement. The risks and expenses involved with tint non-compliance far outweigh the potential benefits of infringing upon tint laws.
How to Ensure Your Tint Is Within the Law
Ensuring that your vehicle complies with Florida’s legal tint limits involves accurate measurement of your window tint darkness. The most accurate way to measure the tint on your car’s windows is with a specialized tool called a window tint meter or tint percentage meter. This device uses light to determine how much light passes through your tinted window and calculates the darkness percentage for you. These convenient, pocket-sized meters are available at many auto parts stores and are relatively easy to use. Simply hold the meter up to your tinted window being tested, turn it on, and wait for it to get a reading. If your result is greater than 25% VLT on the front windows or greater than 8% on the rear windows, your tint is not in compliance with the law and will need to be replaced or removed . In addition, both the tint percentage on your front windshield and the VLT percentage on your back side windows can be affected by a tinted strip or gradient tint. Some strip tint boasts a tint percentage of 100% (black out tint); however, a two or three inch tinted strip on the top of the windshield will have a tint percentage of less than 25% VLT because the strip tapers down to clear at the edges. Similarly, gradient tint applied to the rear windows, while it may look black from the outside and have a tint percentage of 20% when measured from the inside, gradient tint will also have a VLT percentage of less than 8% for a portion of the window by virtue of the strip border at the edge.
Tint Laws FAQs
Q: Are there any medical exemptions to Florida’s tint laws?
A: Yes, Florida law allows certain medical exemptions for those individuals who have medical conditions that necessitate darker or more reflective window tinting. People with disorders that make them sensitive to the sun, such as lupus, skin cancer, and certain eye disorders may be eligible for a medical exemption.
Q: Are there any variances to this law based on the type of vehicle?
A: Applicability will depend on the use and purpose of the vehicle, the owner/operator, the manufacturer specifications when tint is used, the policies of the particular law enforcement agency, and the contents of the state statute that address the scope of tinted window use on motor vehicles.
Q: What happens if I have a broken window?
A: If you happen to be in an accident and your tinted window is broken and no longer passes the 15% VLT requirement for Florida, the window must be replaced with one that has legal tinting while the car is repaired. Once the window is replaced the car can remain registered in the state.
Selecting the Ideal Tint for Your Vehicle
When it comes to choosing the right window tint for your car, truck, or SUV in Florida, it is essential to strike a balance between personal preference and legal compliance. Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure you select an option that conforms to Florida’s window tint laws while still meeting your preferences for style, shade, heat rejection, and UV protection.
First, familiarize yourself with the legal requirements for window tint in Florida. The law permits a maximum 30 percent visible light transmission (VLT) for the front side windows, rear side windows, and back window for passenger vehicles. For vans and trucks, the law allows for any tint darkness on the rear windows. For the front windshield, the law allows for a non-reflective tint that allows more than 28 percent of light in. The tint must be above the AS-1 line or above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line on frontal windows if a vehicle does not have a standard AS-1 line. A sticker from the installer indicating the film complies with applicable Florida statutes is required for all window tint. However, because there are no laws governing the tinting of sunroofs, deeper shades or tints can be installed on this area. Likewise, ceramic tint options do not block the infrared portion of the light spectrum and do not reduce visibility . These are available in nearly any shade or percentage, allowing for maximum comfort while staying within the bounds of the law.
To make the process of finding the right tint for your vehicle easier, check with family and friends for recommendations of companies. It can also be beneficial to search the internet for professional tinting providers and read reviews. Discussion forums and blogs can provide insight on availability of various brands of tint and installers. It is important to contract with companies that are compliant with window tinting statutes. Be wary of companies that offer deals involving multiple vehicles as this can result in improper installation or use of a dark shade on the front windows of a vehicle.
Once you have gathered several estimates from different tint installers, compare the proposed prices and the types of film proposed for installation. Keep in mind that the more expensive options usually have an extensive warranty and additional features, such as greater infrared or heat rejection. Most stores have certified representatives on site to answer questions and help you determine which window tint options will provide the results you want that are also compliant with applicable statutes.