The Guide To Texas Window Tint Laws: What’s The Limit?
Tinting your vehicle’s windows can make driving under the intense Texas sun more comfortable while also protecting your vehicle’s interior from UV damage. But unless you want a ticket, you need to make sure you’re following Texas window tint laws. These laws regulate Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentages, the colors permitted, and other tint characteristics to make sure that drivers can clearly see the road. If you live in the Brownsville area and want your windows tinted by experts, click the button below to schedule your appointment!
So how tinted can windows be in Texas? Read on to learn everything you need to know about Texas window tint laws.
Schedule Window Tint Service Brownsville Tire Shop
How Tinted Can the Windows Be?
Texas laws are laxer than states like California and New York, but you can’t just tint your windows as dark as you want. Texas window tint laws specify different limits for each window type to ensure that drivers have enough visibility to stay safe on the road.
The limits use Visible Light Transmission, or VLT, to measure how much visible light passes through a tinted window. The higher the percentage, the lighter the tint. A VLT of 25%, for example, means that 25% of visible light passes through the tint while 75% is blocked. This is a moderate tint. A VLT of 5% would be very dark, whereas a VLT of 95% would have almost no color. Law enforcement officers and regulators can measure the VLT of a vehicle’s window to determine whether the tint complies with legal limits.
Texas laws allow for a moderate tint on the front windows and windshield, with fewer regulations about the back windows. The Texas window tint limits are:
- Windshield: A VLT of 25% or higher is allowed, but it must be above the AS-1 line (a mark on the windshield that varies depending on the vehicle). If there’s no AS-1 line, the tint can extend down 5 inches from the top of the windshield.
- Front side windows: A VLT of 25% or higher is allowed on front side windows.
- Back side windows: Can be any level of darkness as long as you have dual side-view mirrors.
- Rear window: Can be any level of darkness as long as you have dual side-view mirrors.
What Colors Can They Be Tinted?
While Texas window tint laws don’t specify what colors can be used to tint your windows, they do prohibit certain colors. The use of red, blue, or amber tints is prohibited for all windows. The main goal of these restrictions is to make sure the driver can fully see the road in various lighting conditions and make sure the vehicle can be seen by other drivers.
How Tinted Can the Front Windows Be?
While Texas laws allow for a lot of flexibility with rear windows, the front windows must follow the limits of the law. Front side windows can have tint, but it must let at least 25% VLT. This means that it must allow at least 25% of visible light to come in.
Can You Tint the Windshield?
Yes, you can tint the windshield in Texas, but the tinting is limited. According to Texas window tint laws, you can have a strip of tint at the top of the windshield. The tint must be above the AS-1 line or extend down from the top of the windshield no further than 5 inches if there’s no AS-1 line. The tint must be at least 25% VLT or higher so the driver can see well enough to drive safely.
Texas Car Insurance Requirements
Texas Window Tint Law Fines
Law enforcement can check the VLT of your window tints during a traffic drop. If your vehicle’s tint does not comply with the legal limits, you may face fines and penalties, including:
- First offense: Fines range from $20 to $25 for a first violation, depending on the jurisdiction.
- Subsequent offenses: For repeat violations, fines can increase quite a bit, running up to $275 or more per infraction.
- Fix-it tickets: In some cases, law enforcement may issue a “fix-it” ticket, which requires you to remove or adjust the tint to meet legal standards. After adjusting, you can usually avoid additional fines by providing proof that you corrected the tint.
Window Tint Reflection Guidelines
In addition to regulations on how dark your windows can be, Texas window tint laws also regulate the reflection on your window tint. This is to prevent excessive glare that can make it difficult for other drivers and law enforcement to see while driving. Per Texas law, window tints cannot be more than 25% reflective on the front or back windows. Essentially, this prevents your windows from being too shiny or mirror-like. Even if your window tint follows the VLT limits, you may get a ticket if your windows are more than 25% reflective.
Additional Laws
In addition to the VLT and reflection guidelines, Texas window tint laws also specify the following:
- Side mirrors: If the rear window is tinted, your vehicle must have dual side mirrors so you can properly see behind you. The mirrors must provide a view of at least 200 feet behind the vehicle. If your vehicle does not have side mirrors, the back windows must follow the 25% VLT limits and 25% reflective limits.
- Restricted colors: Texas prohibits the use of red, blue, and amber tint colors on any vehicle windows.
- Certification of tint film: All tint films used in Texas must be certified by the manufacturer to comply with state regulations.
- Stickers: Texas law also requires that vehicles have a label or sticker on the driver’s side door that shows the tint meets legal standards. The label usually includes information about the VLT percentage and serves as proof of compliance if you’re questioned by law enforcement.
Window Tint Exemptions
While Texas window tint laws are pretty straightforward, there are some exemptions, including:
- Law enforcement: Law enforcement vehicles are typically exempt from window tint laws.
- Passenger vehicles: Vehicles like taxis, buses, and limousines may be exempt.
- Medical: If you have a qualifying medical condition, such as lupus, albinism, or xeroderma pigmentosum that makes you more sensitive to sunlight, you may be exempt from window tint limits. In order to qualify, you’ll have to get a statement from a licensed physician or optometrist that lists your diagnosis and why the medical exemption is necessary for your health. You must keep the statement in the vehicle at all times in order to prove your eligibility.
How Do You Know If Your Tint Is Legal?
No one likes surprise fines or tickets. If you have any questions about whether or not your window tint is legal, you have a couple of options. First, you could get a light meter to check the VLT of your windows. These light meters are pretty simple to operate. All you need to do is hold it up to the window and it will provide a reading. As long as it falls within the Texas window tint laws, you’re okay.
The other option is to visit a professional tinting shop. They can test the windows for you and let you know what kinds of changes you need to make.
Texas Window Tint Laws Conclusion
Understanding the limits of Texas window tint laws is important if you want to avoid fines. While Texas limits are moderate compared to stricter states like New York and California, you still have to make sure your windows provide enough visibility.
If you have more questions about window tinting or are looking for a new car, come check out Tipton Hyundai, your trusted Brownsville dealership. We have a huge variety of new, used, and certified pre-owned Hyundais. Whether you’re in South Padre Island, Pharr, Harlingen, Brownsville, or McAllen, we can help you find exactly what you need! If you’re in the Brownsville area, we’ll tint your windows for you at a great price!
0 comment(s) so far on The Guide To Texas Window Tint Laws: What’s The Limit?