Window Tint Legal Question

[markology]

Hi guys,

I am thinking of getting my side windows and rear windows tinted. My car is registered in Illinois, but I drive to Nebraska a lot (so, I drive through Iowa as well). I sometimes take road trips to other states.

I believe 35 percent is the lowest you can have in Illinois, and I don't intend to go lower than that. I believe 35 percent will be legal in Nebraska and Iowa. My question is, if I were drive through other states where the legal tint level is higher (states like MN or OH, for example), would I be breaking the law? If I get pulled over, can I get cited for the tint?

Thanks in advance.

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[gsxr1300]

It should go by the laws of the state you are registered in.

 

[Socalmustang]

You will be cited accordingly to state laws, you can try and play the "traveler" card, but it's ultimately at the officers discretion.

Don't be scared to go above the legal limit, most cars these days have tinted window above legal. Unless it's really dark, you won't be stopped. I

When you get your tinting done, ask if they have a fix-it ticket warranty. For example, I got 15% on my front windows, so If I get a ticket, I can go to my tint shop and have them replace the tint to any percentage I want, as many times as I want. It was only an additional $25 one time charge, well worth it!

 

[GoBlues38]

yep. al depends on if the officer is a jerk or not.

Now, they could use the illegal tint as probable cause to pull you over and just run your records for warrants and what not. This happens a lot to people with no front plat where required.

 

[gsxr1300]

if it passes inspection your your state they cant ticket you in another state.

 

[RobbieFrazier]

if it passes inspection your your state they cant ticket you in another state.

Not true. Your vehicle must comply with all regulations in the jurisdiction in which you operate it. This applies even if you are only traveling through another area. As stated earlier, it is primarily officer discretion whether to enforce the law.

I'm from Texas. Many moons ago a buddy and I went to Tennessee for a summer vacation and were stopped by Johnny Law specifically because the windows were too dark. He came very close to citing us for the tinted windows (legal for TX, but too dark for TN), but let us off with a warning and a "don't let me see you boys in town again, er I'll rip that stuff off them winduhs". We gladly obliged not to drive through his town again.

 

[gsxr1300]

Then if you live in a state that only requires one licence plate you can't drive in a state that requires two.

 

[MX5Racer]

Here's the thing with window tint and legal BS. Burden of proof lies with the prosecution. With speeding tickets they have to prove what method they used to determine your speed (radar, laser, etc). With DWI, they need to prove BAC with blood test or breathalyzer. They do not have a measurable method to prove tint level. You know its too dark, he can tell its too dark, but they need to have a method of measurement to prove it. I always have fun with this in court!

 

[Noobtastic14]

I've had VERY dark tint on three cars all registered out of state and have never gotten any hassle from local authorities. Safety is their concern- If you get lit up roll all the windows down and give the officer a clear view into the vehicle so he does not feel like you're getting the jump on him.

-Drew

 

[markology]

Thanks for the reply, guys. I really appreciate the reply so far.

 

[markology]

Do you spend a lot of time in the state your car is not registered in? Can you give me the tint laws for each of those states?

Also, is it OK to roll down all windows when you get pulled over? I don't remember the right procedure anymore.

Thank you for your input.

I've had VERY dark tint on three cars all registered out of state and have never gotten any hassle from local authorities. Safety is their concern- If you get lit up roll all the windows down and give the officer a clear view into the vehicle so he does not feel like you're getting the jump on him.

-Drew

 

[smdandb2]

Here's the thing with window tint and legal BS. Burden of proof lies with the prosecution. With speeding tickets they have to prove what method they used to determine your speed (radar, laser, etc). With DWI, they need to prove BAC with blood test or breathalyzer. They do not have a measurable method to prove tint level. You know its too dark, he can tell its too dark, but they need to have a method of measurement to prove it. I always have fun with this in court!

You must live in some area where your police department is majorly underfunded.

Around here, they have meters they slip over your windows to measure tint level.

And oddly enough, I have never had a cop even realize my entire windshield was tinted. They could not test for that one though.

 

[Koncealed]

I want a 15% tint so bad, don't know if I can get away with it. I see people with 5% in Cali get away with it, no idea how.

 

[RobbieFrazier]

Then if you live in a state that only requires one licence plate you can't drive in a state that requires two.

Tint laws and registration laws are different animals. Registration laws are enforceable only in the registered state.

Also, it should be noted that some states do not allow enforcement of the tint laws for out of state travelers. (Ironically, TN no longer allows this despite my earlier story about a previous experience there.)

Here's the thing with window tint and legal BS. Burden of proof lies with the prosecution. With speeding tickets they have to prove what method they used to determine your speed (radar, laser, etc). With DWI, they need to prove BAC with blood test or breathalyzer. They do not have a measurable method to prove tint level. You know its too dark, he can tell its too dark, but they need to have a method of measurement to prove it. I always have fun with this in court!

Burden of proof is easy when the officers carry portable tint meters.

Around here, they have meters they slip over your windows to measure tint level.

This

 

[Socalmustang]

I want a 15% tint so bad, don't know if I can get away with it. I see people with 5% in Cali get away with it, no idea how.

15% all around is perfect IMO, that's what I have on the front and 5% on the back. If I could go back, I would do 15% on back as well.

I live in cali as well

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