I live in L.A. CALI and want to tint my side windows? Does anyone know the law in California?

 

Don't quote me on this exactly, but, you are allowed to have tinted side windows but they must block less than 30% of the light. The stock windows have around 5% tint. If you get the 30% side window tint that is supposed to be leagal, add that to the stock 5% and it will be too dark and you can get a fix-it ticket. Only $10 court fee, but you have to remove the tint and have an officer verify and sign the ticket. My wife got a ticket in her car Lancer EVO VII by an overzelous popo, pulled over for just the tint, but I have been driving my L for 3 years with darker than legal side windows and no issues. However I have never been pulled over in my L either. I'm sure if they do I will likely get a ticket for my side windows and smoked lights. I' sure you can get a lighter tint but it doesn't look as good or function as well as the 30%.

 

just a guess here, but probably the tint shop.

 

I'm curious as to how you figure stock windows have 5% window tint. Stock are clear as, you can see right thru them.

 

hold a piece of clear glass up to them and you can tell the difference, but yeah, they aren't hardly noticeable. I think they have some sort of UV blocker in the tempered plastic sandwhich layer.

 

I know, they are somewhere in the 40% to 50% range. 5% is blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!

 

Nooooo, 5% light blocked not 5% transmittance!

 

The last time I checked, it's against the law in California to tint the front side windows. You can tint the rear side windows and the back window, but you can be pulled over for tinted front side windows. I put some minor tint on my side windows, but the dark rear tint kind of makes them look darker. I've had them like this for over a year and have not been hassled for them yet. Below is how the sides and rear tinted windows look.

 

Whoops. Don't ever hear it referred to like that.

 

Google is your friend.

Looks like you can go 70%. That is not much. We can go 28% in FL.
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/CA/
http://www.tintdude.com/atoh.html

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

 

Techincally, we can't do any in NJ. Its only cost me 1 ticket so far in 7 years. *knock on wood*

 

I live in NJ too, and this is the reason I haven't done the fronts tinted. Don't need to give them a reason to pull me over.

I think it would look really good though and have thought many times of tinting them very light. I just really don't want the hassle of getting stopped for for it, not to mention the cost of ticket. I know it would be my luck that I would tint them then get stopped a day later.

 

No Tint:



Tint: (30%, 70% transmittance)

 

THE DARKER THE BETTER

Who gives a rats *** about what the law is, there's prob one here in NY too but I dont know or care ; o )
and I've never a prob with way too many vehicles to mention.

Black is Beautiful







Hell even my family car is as dark as I like it

 

This should help clear up the tint laws for everyone: