Florida Window Tint Law: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Knowing the window tint laws in your state is important for both drivers and law enforcement officials. This article will provide an overview of Florida's window tint law, including what is allowed and what is not. We will also discuss the penalties for violating the law and how to get a window tint exemption.

The main goal of window tint laws is to ensure that drivers have good visibility while driving. This helps to reduce the risk of accidents caused by obstructed vision. Window tint can also help to reduce heat and glare, making driving more comfortable. However, if the window tint is too dark, it can make it difficult for drivers to see at night or in low-light conditions.

Now that you have an overview of Florida's window tint law, let's take a closer look at the specific requirements and penalties.

Florida Window Tint Law

Here are 8 important points about Florida's window tint law:

• No tint allowed on windshields.
• Front side windows must allow 28% light transmission.
• Rear side windows and rear window can be any darkness.
• No reflective tint allowed.
• Medical exemptions available.
• Penalties include fines and vehicle inspection.
• Law enforcement has tint meters.
• Window tint shops must display tint law information.

Remember, the purpose of the window tint law is to ensure driver visibility and safety. If you have any questions about the law or are considering getting window tint, be sure to do your research and comply with the regulations.

No tint allowed on windshields.

In Florida, it is illegal to have any tint on the windshield of your vehicle. This means that the entire windshield, including the AS-1 line (the small strip at the top of the windshield), must be completely clear.

The reason for this law is to ensure that drivers have good visibility while driving. Windshield tint can obstruct the driver's view of the road, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This can increase the risk of accidents.

In addition, windshield tint can make it difficult for law enforcement officers to see inside the vehicle. This can be a safety issue, as it can make it difficult for officers to identify the driver and any passengers. It can also make it difficult for officers to see if the driver is wearing a seat belt or if there are any other violations.

If you are caught driving with window tint on your windshield in Florida, you will likely be issued a ticket. The fine for this violation is $116. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windshield before you can drive your vehicle again.

It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this law. For example, medical exemptions are available for drivers who have certain medical conditions that require them to have tinted windshields. In addition, some vehicles, such as limousines and buses, are allowed to have tinted windshields.

Front side windows must allow 28% light transmission.

In Florida, the front side windows of your vehicle must allow at least 28% of light to transmit through them. This means that the tint on your front side windows cannot be too dark.

The reason for this law is to ensure that drivers have good visibility while driving. Window tint can obstruct the driver's view of the road, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This can increase the risk of accidents.

To ensure that your window tint is compliant with the law, you can have it checked by a window tint shop or law enforcement officer. They will use a light meter to measure the amount of light that is transmitted through your windows.

If your window tint is found to be too dark, you will likely be issued a ticket. The fine for this violation is $116. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windows before you can drive your vehicle again.

It is important to note that there are some exceptions to this law. For example, medical exemptions are available for drivers who have certain medical conditions that require them to have darker window tint on their front side windows. In addition, some vehicles, such as limousines and buses, are allowed to have darker window tint on their front side windows.

Rear side windows and rear window can be any darkness.

In Florida, the rear side windows and rear window of your vehicle can be tinted as dark as you want. This means that you can have limo tint on your rear windows, if you so desire.

• Visibility: While you can have dark tint on your rear windows, it is important to remember that you still need to be able to see out of them. If your tint is too dark, it can obstruct your view of the road, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This can increase the risk of accidents.
• Hand signals: If you have dark tint on your rear windows, you need to be sure to use hand signals when you are driving. This is because other drivers may not be able to see your turn signals or brake lights through the tint.
• Medical exemptions: Medical exemptions are available for drivers who have certain medical conditions that require them to have dark tint on their rear windows. For example, people with certain skin conditions may need dark tint to protect their skin from the sun.
• Law enforcement: Law enforcement officers may ask you to roll down your rear windows so that they can see inside your vehicle. This is especially true if you are pulled over for a traffic violation.

It is important to note that some vehicles, such as limousines and buses, may have restrictions on the darkness of the tint on their rear windows. Be sure to check the window tint laws in your state before you have your rear windows tinted.

No reflective tint allowed.

In Florida, reflective tint is not allowed on any windows of your vehicle. This means that the tint on your windows cannot reflect light back at other drivers.

• Safety: Reflective tint can be dangerous because it can reflect sunlight into the eyes of other drivers. This can make it difficult for them to see, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This can increase the risk of accidents.
• Law enforcement: Reflective tint can also make it difficult for law enforcement officers to see inside your vehicle. This can be a safety issue, as it can make it difficult for officers to identify the driver and any passengers. It can also make it difficult for officers to see if the driver is wearing a seat belt or if there are any other violations.
• Penalties: If you are caught driving with reflective tint in Florida, you will likely be issued a ticket. The fine for this violation is $116. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windows before you can drive your vehicle again.
• Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this law. For example, some vehicles, such as limousines and buses, are allowed to have reflective tint on their windows. However, these vehicles must have a special permit from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

It is important to note that some window tint manufacturers sell tint that is labeled as "non-reflective." However, this does not mean that the tint will not reflect any light. All window tint will reflect some light, but the amount of light that is reflected will vary depending on the type of tint and the darkness of the tint.

Medical exemptions available

Here are some examples of medical conditions that may qualify for a window tint exemption:

• Skin conditions: People with certain skin conditions, such as lupus or dermatomyositis, may need to have window tint to protect their skin from the sun.
• Eye conditions: People with certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, may need to have window tint to protect their eyes from bright light.
• Other medical conditions: Other medical conditions that may require window tint include multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and chronic migraines.

To apply for a medical exemption, you will need to submit a completed Application for Window Tint Exemption to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

The application must include the following:

• Your name, address, and phone number
• Your doctor's name, address, and phone number
• A detailed description of your medical condition
• A statement from your doctor that window tint is necessary for your medical condition

Once you have submitted your application, the DHSMV will review it and make a determination. If your application is approved, you will be issued a window tint exemption permit.

The DHSMV will only grant exemptions for medical conditions that are supported by a doctor's diagnosis.

Penalties include fines and vehicle inspection.

If you are caught driving with window tint that violates Florida law, you will likely be issued a ticket. The fine for this violation is $116. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windows before you can drive your vehicle again.

• Traffic stop: If you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer for a traffic violation, the officer may also check your window tint. If the officer finds that your window tint is too dark, you will be issued a ticket.
• Vehicle inspection: In addition to receiving a ticket, you may also be required to take your vehicle to a state inspection station. The inspector will check your window tint to make sure that it complies with the law. If the tint is too dark, the inspector will order you to remove it.
• Repeat offenders: If you are caught driving with illegal window tint multiple times, you may face additional penalties, such as a suspended license or even jail time.
• Window tint shops: Window tint shops that install tint that does not comply with the law may also be subject to fines and other penalties.

It is important to note that the penalties for violating Florida's window tint law can vary depending on the county or municipality where you are caught. Some counties and municipalities have stricter window tint laws than the state law. Be sure to check the window tint laws in your area before you have your windows tinted.

Law enforcement has tint meters.

Law enforcement officers in Florida use tint meters to measure the darkness of window tint. These meters are designed to measure the amount of light that is transmitted through the window tint.

• How tint meters work: Tint meters work by shining a light at the window tint and measuring the amount of light that is transmitted through the tint. The meter then displays the percentage of light transmission.
• Legal limit: In Florida, the legal limit for window tint is 28% light transmission on the front side windows and any darkness on the rear side windows and rear window.
• Using tint meters: Law enforcement officers typically use tint meters to check the darkness of window tint during traffic stops. The officer will ask you to roll down your windows so that they can use the tint meter to measure the darkness of the tint.
• Consequences: If the officer finds that your window tint is too dark, you will be issued a ticket. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windows before you can drive your vehicle again.

It is important to note that tint meters are not always accurate. This is because the accuracy of the meter can be affected by a number of factors, such as the angle of the sun, the condition of the meter, and the skill of the officer using the meter.

If you are disputing a window tint ticket, you may want to have your window tint checked by a window tint shop or an independent testing facility. These facilities have more accurate tint meters than law enforcement officers.

Window tint shops must display tint law information.

In Florida, all window tint shops are required to display a sign that provides information about the state's window tint law. This sign must be posted in a conspicuous place in the shop where it can be easily seen by customers.

The sign must include the following information:

• The legal limits for window tint in Florida (28% light transmission on the front side windows and any darkness on the rear side windows and rear window).
• The penalties for violating the window tint law, including fines and vehicle inspection.
• A statement that the window tint shop will not install tint that does not comply with the law.

The purpose of this law is to ensure that window tint shops are aware of the state's window tint law and that they are not installing tint that does not comply with the law.

This law also helps to protect consumers from being sold window tint that is illegal. If a consumer is sold window tint that does not comply with the law, they may be ticketed by law enforcement and required to remove the tint.

In addition to displaying the sign, window tint shops are also required to provide customers with a copy of the state's window tint law. This can be done by providing customers with a printed copy of the law or by directing them to a website where they can download the law.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Florida's window tint law:

Question 1: What is the legal limit for window tint in Florida?

Answer 1: The legal limit for window tint in Florida is 28% light transmission on the front side windows and any darkness on the rear side windows and rear window.

Question 2: What are the penalties for violating the window tint law?

Answer 2: The penalties for violating the window tint law include fines and vehicle inspection. You may also be required to remove the tint from your windows before you can drive your vehicle again.

Question 3: Do I need a medical exemption to have window tint on my windshield?

Answer 3: Yes, you need a medical exemption to have window tint on your windshield. Medical exemptions are available for drivers who have certain medical conditions that require them to have tinted windshields.

Question 4: Can I get a window tint exemption for my car?

Answer 4: Yes, you can get a window tint exemption for your car if you have a medical condition that requires you to have tinted windows. To apply for an exemption, you will need to submit an Application for Window Tint Exemption to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Question 5: Where can I find a copy of Florida's window tint law?

Answer 5: You can find a copy of Florida's window tint law on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

Question 6: What should I do if I get a ticket for violating the window tint law?

Answer 6: If you get a ticket for violating the window tint law, you will need to pay the fine and have the tint removed from your windows. You may also need to have your vehicle inspected.

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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Florida's window tint law. If you have any other questions, you can contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Here are some additional tips for complying with Florida's window tint law:

Tips

Here are some tips for complying with Florida's window tint law:

Tip 1: Know the law.

The first step to complying with Florida's window tint law is to know the law. This includes knowing the legal limits for window tint, the penalties for violating the law, and the exemptions that are available.

Tip 2: Choose a reputable window tint shop.

When you choose a window tint shop, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable shop. A reputable shop will be familiar with Florida's window tint law and will only install tint that complies with the law.

Tip 3: Get a written warranty.

When you have your windows tinted, be sure to get a written warranty from the window tint shop. This warranty should cover the tint against fading, peeling, and bubbling.

Tip 4: Keep your window tint inspection certificate in your vehicle.

When you have your windows tinted, the window tint shop will give you a window tint inspection certificate. Keep this certificate in your vehicle so that you can show it to law enforcement officers if they ask to see it.

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By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your window tint complies with Florida's window tint law.

Now that you know more about Florida's window tint law, you can make informed decisions about window tint for your vehicle.

Conclusion

Summary of Main Points:

Florida's window tint law is designed to ensure that drivers have good visibility while driving. The main points of the law are as follows:

• No tint is allowed on the windshield.
• The front side windows must allow 28% light transmission.
• The rear side windows and rear window can be any darkness.
• No reflective tint is allowed.
• Medical exemptions are available.
• Penalties for violating the law include fines and vehicle inspection.
• Law enforcement officers have tint meters to measure the darkness of window tint.
• Window tint shops must display tint law information.

Closing Message:

If you are considering having your windows tinted, be sure to do your research and choose a window tint shop that is reputable and familiar with Florida's window tint law. By following the tips in this article, you can help to ensure that your window tint complies with the law and that you are driving safely.

Remember, the purpose of the window tint law is to keep you and other drivers safe on the road.