Legal tint in California?
07-03-2003 | 04:48 PM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 290
From: San Mateo, CA
Car Info: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3
Legal tint in California?
Anyone have any info on how much tint one can have on their windows in California? And yes, I'm talking about the driver side window, too. Thanks!
07-03-2003 | 07:25 PM
#3
it's illegal to have the front windows tinted at all, unless you put on one of those perfectly clear UV guard tints. No matter what shop you go to, they'll make you sign a waiver saying that you understand that it's illegal to tint the fronts, or at least that's what i've experienced at the three tint shops i've been to.
07-03-2003 | 07:46 PM
#4
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From: Bike Lane
Car Info: Black 2003 WRX Sedan
i believe that 70% (70% of light shines through) is legal in california for the front driver and passanger windows. the back ones and the rear window can be as dark as you want them.
you could proabbly run 35% in the front and get away with it. i have 35%all around and its pretty good. its not too dark in the day, but at night it still gives the car the blacked out look.
you could proabbly run 35% in the front and get away with it. i have 35%all around and its pretty good. its not too dark in the day, but at night it still gives the car the blacked out look.
Last edited by DLUX WRX; 07-03-2003 at 08:08 PM.
07-03-2003 | 08:54 PM
#6
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From: Wherever Sucks the Most
Car Info: 2003 WRX, 2008 Camry
Originally posted by babymike
it's illegal to have the front windows tinted at all, unless you put on one of those perfectly clear UV guard tints. No matter what shop you go to, they'll make you sign a waiver saying that you understand that it's illegal to tint the fronts, or at least that's what i've experienced at the three tint shops i've been to.
it's illegal to have the front windows tinted at all, unless you put on one of those perfectly clear UV guard tints. No matter what shop you go to, they'll make you sign a waiver saying that you understand that it's illegal to tint the fronts, or at least that's what i've experienced at the three tint shops i've been to.
what he said. i did 50% front and didn't have to sign a waiver. Instead they just didn't put it on the receipt.
eric
07-03-2003 | 08:56 PM
#7
@Stoptech
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From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2002 WRX Wagon
Originally posted by DLUX WRX
i believe that 70% (70% of light shines through) is legal in california for the front driver and passanger windows. the back ones and the rear window can be as dark as you want them.
you could proabbly run 35% in the front and get away with it. i have 35%all around and its pretty good. its not too dark in the day, but at night it still gives the car the blacked out look.
i believe that 70% (70% of light shines through) is legal in california for the front driver and passanger windows. the back ones and the rear window can be as dark as you want them.
you could proabbly run 35% in the front and get away with it. i have 35%all around and its pretty good. its not too dark in the day, but at night it still gives the car the blacked out look.
AND DO A GODDAM SEARCH.
07-03-2003 | 11:39 PM
#8
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From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX
Originally posted by suby_dude
i think your stock WRX has the maximum legal front window tint already on it...
i think your stock WRX has the maximum legal front window tint already on it...
07-04-2003 | 08:21 AM
#9
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From: Sacramento CA
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Originally posted by Kuonji
Anyone have any info on how much tint one can have on their windows in California? And yes, I'm talking about the driver side window, too.
Here's an Adobe Acrobat file with an easy-to-read state-by-state map with tint standards, as well as a chart.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Anyone have any info on how much tint one can have on their windows in California? And yes, I'm talking about the driver side window, too.
Here's an Adobe Acrobat file with an easy-to-read state-by-state map with tint standards, as well as a chart.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
07-04-2003 | 10:17 AM
#10
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Originally posted by Steppin Razor
that is false information. ANY tint in the front windows is illegal. will you get nailed for it? it really depends where you drive. fremont? yes. san jose? yes. san fran? maybe. anywhere else? unlikely. there are no restrictions on windows other than the windshield and drivers and passengers front windows ie you could put up curtains if you want.
AND DO A GODDAM SEARCH.
that is false information. ANY tint in the front windows is illegal. will you get nailed for it? it really depends where you drive. fremont? yes. san jose? yes. san fran? maybe. anywhere else? unlikely. there are no restrictions on windows other than the windshield and drivers and passengers front windows ie you could put up curtains if you want.
AND DO A GODDAM SEARCH.
07-04-2003 | 10:54 AM
#12
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Had to delete some stuff but pay attention to (d)- it has 5 requirements, all must be met to tint front windows.
§ 26708. Material obstructing or reducing driver's view; installation, affixation or application of transparent material
(a)(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.
(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Rearview mirrors.
(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.
............
(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.
.............
(8) The rear window or windows, when the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle that are so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
...........
(10) Sun screening devices meeting the requirements of Section 26708.2 installed on the side windows on either side of the vehicle's front seat, if the driver or a passenger in the front seat has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition, or has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed optometrist certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a visual condition. The devices authorized by this paragraph shall not be used during darkness.
(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.
.........
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the windshield if the following conditions apply:
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver's seat when measured from a point 5 inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver's seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the installing company and the material's manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material's manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer's instructions meets the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the material's manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
§ 26708. Material obstructing or reducing driver's view; installation, affixation or application of transparent material
(a)(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.
(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Rearview mirrors.
(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.
............
(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.
.............
(8) The rear window or windows, when the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle that are so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
...........
(10) Sun screening devices meeting the requirements of Section 26708.2 installed on the side windows on either side of the vehicle's front seat, if the driver or a passenger in the front seat has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition, or has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed optometrist certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a visual condition. The devices authorized by this paragraph shall not be used during darkness.
(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than 5 inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.
.........
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the windshield if the following conditions apply:
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver's seat when measured from a point 5 inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver's seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:
(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.
(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet A rays.
(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the installing company and the material's manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material's manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer's instructions meets the requirements of this subdivision and identifies the material's manufacturer by full name and street address.
(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
07-04-2003 | 02:28 PM
#13
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From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
Originally posted by DLUX WRX
Section 26708 states that 70% is the darkest allowed on the front two side windows. Also, the link Wingless Wonder posted backs up the Vehicle Code.
While I think the link I posted is accurate, the shop that applied the film (20%, I think) to my back three windows flat refuses to put any film on the front side windows other than clear UV film because of problems with local law enforcement. I'm considering getting the UV film if it results in a slightly cooler interior.
I had my windows done at Rocky Mountain Window Tint on El Camino Ave off I-80 in Sacramento. They charge a little more but gave me a discount a few years ago when a friend had his car done at the same time. The workmanship and materials seems pretty good on both my old Taurus and my rex. They use Formula One brand window film.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Section 26708 states that 70% is the darkest allowed on the front two side windows. Also, the link Wingless Wonder posted backs up the Vehicle Code.
While I think the link I posted is accurate, the shop that applied the film (20%, I think) to my back three windows flat refuses to put any film on the front side windows other than clear UV film because of problems with local law enforcement. I'm considering getting the UV film if it results in a slightly cooler interior.
I had my windows done at Rocky Mountain Window Tint on El Camino Ave off I-80 in Sacramento. They charge a little more but gave me a discount a few years ago when a friend had his car done at the same time. The workmanship and materials seems pretty good on both my old Taurus and my rex. They use Formula One brand window film.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
07-04-2003 | 05:55 PM
#14
@Stoptech
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Posts: 2,416
From: San Francisco, CA
Car Info: 2002 WRX Wagon
Originally posted by DLUX WRX
False infrmation??? Check the Vehicle Code for California. Section 26708 states that 70% is the darkest allowed on the front two side windows. Also, the link Wingless Wonder posted backs up the Vehicle Code.
False infrmation??? Check the Vehicle Code for California. Section 26708 states that 70% is the darkest allowed on the front two side windows. Also, the link Wingless Wonder posted backs up the Vehicle Code.
So, to summarize, the information you posted was FALSE. Not one person here appreciates you giving FALSE information. Please do not do it anymore.
But, in order to prevent a flame-war, I would like to acknowledge that the difference between 30% and 12% tint is negligible, therefore there is next to no chance that a cop will call you on 30% tint or 13% tint for that matter. So for most imaginable situations, your advice would have been sound. I wish we could come up with a FAQ section that r00ks MUST read before they can even enter BAIC. We must get that question once a week, and I'm not exaggerating (I cannot for the life of me remember how to spell that word
). tacobellmexicanpizza can vouch for me on that one.
