The Law on Window Tint in Florida
Hidden from its exterior, window tinting offers more than privacy and comfort in a hot state like Florida. It also provides valuable protection for all motorists against the sun’s UV rays and internal heat.
Right now, there are many Florida drivers with tinted windows on the road who may not be aware of the state’s laws when it comes to window tinting.
In an effort to minimize the risks of UV exposure, the Florida Legislature has decided to regulate the level of tint allowed on all vehicle windows. That way, every driver who passes through the Sunshine State is following the guidelines to maintain the public’s safety.
No matter the reason for tinting your windows, here is what you need to know about Florida’s window tint laws.
For front and back windows on sedans, SUV’s and vans, the legal tint is as follows:
Godoy Law Office, PLLC explains the exact wording of the law below:
"The front side windows shall be clear or have a light tint of not more than 28 percent reflectance. Any sunscreening application of any material on the front windshield window shall not exceed the top 5 inches of the windshield; except that the application of such a material need not be limited to the uppermost fringe of the windshield so long as the application does not extend downward onto the driver’s zone of the windshield, which is defined as the area in the windshield directly in front of the driver’s seat with a height of 29 inches measured from a point five inches from the base of the windshield . The applicant or the adhesive used to attach the material to the windshield shall not be red, yellow, or amber, and it must be capable of being inspected by an officer using the measuring devices set forth in s. 316.2953(4). The side windows which are immediately behind the driver may be tinted or painted a color other than red, yellow, or amber, but the degree of reflectance shall not be more than 25 percent."
So is getting a ticket for illegal window tinting likely?
It shouldn’t be since there are regulations set in place for law enforcement officers.
"Law enforcement agencies shall have in effect a procedure to be used when providing information to the public relating to window tinting and windshield reflectoring," according to the provisions to Section 316.2954 on illegal window tinting warning label.
"The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall provide a definition of, and a form for, the warning label to be placed upon all vehicles after notice of window tinting or windshield reflectoring has been given. The label shall be prescribed by the department and shall state that the department has been advised that the window tinting or windshield reflectoring on the window does not comply with the State of Florida tinting requirements. The label must be easily readable and must be affixed to the inside lower left corner of the windshield."
You may even find the benefit of obtaining a sticker for compliant tinted windows. However, government agencies are the only ones that can legally put a sticker on your front windshield.
Also, if you ever had a windshield replacement, your new windshield should come with the sticker. Just be careful because the sticker will fade quickly.
Why Do We Have Laws Regarding Window Tint?
The window tinting regulations in Florida are more than just a limitation on the color and degree of tint you can have on your car windows. Much like other safety regulations in Florida, the window tinting laws are there to protect your safety—and the safety of other drivers on the road—with their vision. While tinted windows can add some privacy and comfort when driving, there are a number of issues that can crop up if you’re not careful. Besides being an illegal obstruction of vision, tinted windows can be a major blind spot for drivers—a concern the state of Florida has in mind over its new window tinting regulations. In fact, statistics have shown that tinted windows have been the cause of many of Miami-Dade counties automobile accidents. Without the ability to see other drivers clearly on the road and at intersections, a vehicle can inadvertently become the cause of an accident. These statistics are what prompted the City of Miami to pass laws that ban tinted windows in 1996. Unfortunately, however, the laws concerning tinted automotive windows have become a loophole for those who seek their benefits. Anyone who has seen the tinted windows on public news vehicles or police cars has wondered why they are there. It has become all-too-common for a driver to tint their vehicle so dark as to appear tinted completely black, thus effectively circumventing the regulations put forth by the state. In truth, tinting windows to a level that is almost completely black out is not only illegal, it’s dangerous. Floridians who choose to run afoul of these regulations by tinting their vehicles windows beyond the legal limit run the risk not only of receiving a fine, but also of impeding the efforts of accident prevention in Florida.
Exemptions and Special Treatments
Certain exemptions to Florida’s window tint laws may apply if the owner of the vehicle has a medical condition, such as one that makes bright sunlight harmful to the owner’s health. A person who has an individual medical exemption must carry a Certificate for Medical Exemption at all times when driving a vehicle and must show proof of the medical exemption upon request of a law enforcement officer.
The appropriate medical professional who may certify the need for a medical window tint exemption is a licensed health care practitioner authorized to prescribe the medical treatment, including a medical doctor, osteopathic physician or optometrist. The documentation confirming the medical need can be on a DOT form or on a form acceptable to the department.
There are also lumbar extenuating circumstances that allow for a medical exemption if it can be shown that the darkened tint is necessary to protect the lumbar area from sun exposure. Again, a health care professional, such as a county licensed physician’s assistant may certify the need for the medical window tint exemption.
Penalties for Breaking the Laws
Enforcement of Florida’s window tint laws can be more complex than you might think, with penalties ranging in severity depending on how well you comply with the regulations. If you’re stopped by a law enforcement officer for any reason and they notice illegal tinting on your vehicle, you can be cited for the tint, even if that traffic stop was for something else entirely. At the very least, it could mean an expensive ticket.
If you are a professional window tint installer, you also have to be especially careful about your tint work. The Department of Transportation may conduct surprise inspections of tint shops. If they find that you are tinting in a manner that does not comply with the regulations, you can be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree . In addition to potential criminal charges, you could find yourself facing hefty fines or losing your business license or tax registration certificate.
Even worse, the motor vehicle department may order the immediate removal and replacement of window tint on your vehicle, at your expense. Because window tinting can be difficult and time-consuming to remove, this can be an extremely costly penalty.
What all this means is that it’s important to thoroughly understand Florida’s window tint laws if you’re planning on tinting the windows of your vehicle. Check to ensure that you have the correct type of tint for your windows and that you install it correctly. If you are unable to complete the tint installation yourself, be sure to hire a professional who understands the laws to do it for you.
Choosing Window Tint that is Legal
No matter how old your vehicle is, it is important to check the visible light transmission (VLT) percentage of the tint you are considering. If you are paying for professional installation, the person tinting your windows will likely be able to confirm the VLT for you. If this is not the case, or you are tinting windows on a vehicle without a much of warranty remaining, there is another way to ensure that you are in compliance with Florida’s laws for window tint.
A simple handheld light meter can be used to measure the VLT of your windows prior to tinting . This way, there will be no doubt as to whether the tint you purchase is legal or not. For peace of mind, you may choose to take readings once the tint has been installed, as well.
Whether you go with a traditional tint or a ceramic tint, you need to find a way to tint your windows legally. Always verify the VLT percentage of the tint you want. You can do this either before or after installation, but have the ability to prove you are in compliance with the law for your state.