An Overview of Automotive Window Tint Laws in Alabama
Alabama’s tint regulations are contained in Section 32-5B-6 of the Alabama Code. State law dictates window tint percentage for each window of a car. This statute was first passed and enacted in 2015. The statute applies to the front and rear windshields, as well as the side windows of the car.
Alabama has some of the more stringent window tint laws in the US. The law did not allow for any dark tint drivers and passengers on the front two windows of a car. Not only is the law strict on how the windows can be tinted, but another part of the law states that the State of Alabama does not provide any type of exemption for those who have tint that violates state law. There are no medical conditions that will warrant an exemption on the tint. Some states , such as Florida or Michigan, do have exemptions in their laws for individuals who have certain medical conditions that warrant the use of darker tint on their vehicles. However, these exemptions do not exist in Alabama.
In 2017, the law was amended to allow for slightly darker tint on vehicles. Although slightly darker tint is now permitted, the tint must still adhere to the law set forth in Section 32-5B-6 of the Alabama Code. In order for the law to be amended, there had to be a group of special automobile tint advisory council who studied the state laws before the window tint rules could be amended.
Maximum Allowable Tint Darkness for Different Types of Vehicles
Each type of vehicle is subject to different tint limits to ensure safety and visibility on Alabama’s roads. Let’s break this down into the specific limits for passenger vehicles, SUVs, trucks, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles:
Passenger Vehicles
Today’s vehicles come in many forms. For standard passenger cars, Alabama law states that the windscreen, or windshield, must allow at least 32% of light in while the front side windows must allow 32% to 20% of light in. The back side windows and rear window must allow 20% of light in.
SUVs, Trucks, Vans, & Multi-Purpose Vehicles
Much like passenger cars, the law requires these vehicles to have a windscreen with 32% of light and front side windows with 32% to 20% of light in. Rear side windows, as well as the rear window, must allow 32% of light in while the back side windows must allow 20% of light in.
Why Tint Darkness Restrictions Exist
Safety Concerns: The shade of window tint that gets applied directly affects the degree to which visibility is compromised. Whether it’s the driver of a passenger vehicle (or motorcycle) or the officer of a motor vehicle operating in the capacity of an officer of the law, the last thing anyone wants is to have a severely restricted field of vision (and thus impaired levels of present forward observation). While tinted windows may look stylish and even somewhat alluring, they are among the most common (as well as conspicuous) on-road auto accessory modifications (tint job offenders are found in all states as well as on every continent but Antarctica) to fail inspection requisite minimums – most frequently due to being too dark.
Law Enforcement Visibility: Not only is a driver unable to see what’s happening outside the vehicle; a fellow motorist has difficulty identifying the vehicle as a law enforcement unit. This factor is highly problematic in particular given that the vast majority (~85.0%) of black-on-white cars and light trucks (primarily SUVs and vans) in use in the United States are tinted. In the eyes of the average motorist, such vehicles with dark-tinted windows make excellent hiding spots for speeding and other law-breaking police units.
Other Reasons Behind These Legal Restrictions: There are two other troublesome tint demon scenario factors that have been known to delay rear-end accident reporting and detection and can even lead to leaving a driver severely injured and vehicle with injured passenger(s) or even dead at the scene of the accident. These safety concerns to both drivers and passengers make tint laws a necessity – not only in Alabama, but across the nation.
Potential Penalties for Breaking Tint Law in Alabama
Violating Alabama’s tint laws can result in a variety of consequences and penalties, depending on the severity of the offense. If you choose to go darker than the legally allowed limit, law enforcement officers in Montgomery will not hesitate to issue either a fix-it ticket, or worse, a ticket with a fine attached.
Fix-it tickets are generally given for minor offenses such as not having a seat belt on, but can also be given for tint that is over the legal limit. When you receive a fix-it ticket for tint sheerness, it basically amounts to a warning. You can simply take the ticket to a law enforcement agency within a specified period of time (usually 30 days) to be inspected. If the vehicle is found to be in compliance at the time of the inspection, the fine will be dismissed.
On the other hand, if you receive an actual traffic citation with a fine, you will have to appear before a judge. Typically, this would lead to one of three outcomes: If you have a history of tint violations, you might also end up spending a few days in jail. It is also possible that you could be required to take a tint course or perform community service. In addition, you may be required to have your vehicle inspected for compliance. Some law enforcement agencies in Montgomery hold tint blitz days on a regular basis where cars are pulled over at given locations and their tint sheerness is tested. If your tint is out of compliance, they can write you a ticket and have your vehicle impounded. In many cases, you would have to pay the cost of having the tint removed in order for you to drive the vehicle home. When you have your vehicle inspected for compliance after a tint ticket, you will be required to have the officer examine the vehicle after you have made the tint compliant. If the officer is satisfied that the tint is now within compliance limits, he or she will sign off on the fix-it ticket and you can present the signed ticket to the court to have the charges against you dropped.
How to Accurately Measure the Darkness of Automotive Window Tint
A vehicle owner can measure the tint of their windows to determine if they’re in compliance with Alabama’s legal limit. A common way to measure darkness is with a photometer, which is a handheld instrument that projects light through the window and measures the amount of visible light that passes through. Alabama tint laws don’t require lane side windows to be measured with a photometer.
Another option for measuring tint is a Tint Meter. Some automotive inspection facilities have one available for rental or use. However, a Tint Meter isn’t necessary for vehicle owners to measure their window tint .
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides a link to an online service called Tint Meter, which allows vehicle owners to take a series of photos of their window tint and submit them to have measured. The reason the State of Alabama does not mention these descriptions is because any device can be made to only read the legal tint laws, therefore increasing errors in enforcement and abuses from shop owners and installers. You may find shade meters at car tinting shops or other vehicle accessory specialty shops.
The FTC, along with the International Window Film Association (IWFA), the American Window Film Association (AWFA), and the Southwest Automotive Tinting Conference (SWAT), promotes national tinting standards.
Exceptions and Special Considerations for Window Tint in Alabama
Alabama law allows certain members of the public to apply for waivers of the standard window tinting exemption rules. Active duty military personnel, including spouses and dependents, are exempt from window tinted exemptions. Further, all prepaid and postpaid contracts for vehicle purchases in Alabama include a disclosure that disallows dealer-installed, non-compliant window tint from being placed on vehicles.
If you have a medical condition that requires it, Alabama permits medical exemptions for darker window tints on the windshield and side and rear windows. This includes conditions such as photosensitivity, albinism, and vitiligo, among others. Any person with a medical condition that requires darker window tint must carry a medical exemption letter from their physician at all times while driving.
Of course, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) laws always trump any tint exemption.
Advice for Obtaining Automotive Window Tint that Complies with Alabama Law
When deciding on a tint that will remain within the legal limits, consumers should keep the following points in mind: Research the manufacturer of the tint coating carefully before making the decision to use it. Some are unfortunately little more than a spray-on imitation of more expensive professional-grade products and may increase the likelihood of having to change the windows out to avoid a ticket or even an accident if the color comes off at the wrong time. Consult with the window tinting professionals before making the decision to focus on any particular company’s products. Reputable companies (and yes , the window tinting industry has a number of questionable people and organizations as well) can help better identify whether a tint is actually legal according to the most recent published information. They know the law, they know their industry, and they know their products. They successfully tint thousands of cars a year and want to help you avoid the mistakes that will hurt you. Keep abreast of legal changes in Alabama. While one tint shade might be the law today, changes in Alabama or your neighborhood tomorrow might set new standards. Again, watch the news and ask the professionals.