Is it legal to have tint in SoCal?

[selmer]

as title, if yes, up to what% will they allow?

[edkwok]

none for front windows

[R3K8C24]

U can have it as dark as u want on the back, but the front has to be completely clear. U can put a strip at the top of the window for a certain amount of length, and thats it

[Cargo8]

70% for front passenger / driver side windows
anything in the back
anything in the rear windshield
nothing on the front windshield except for the top 4 inches or so.

[jdubbs119]

its illegal for the front passanger and driver window. but honestly, who cares, its a fix it ticket, and just get a note from a dermatologist saying you need it from your skin.

limo it.

[Cargo8]

You guys are mistaken. It is 70% for the front passenger windows.
http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html

[RAudi Driver]

its illegal for the front passanger and driver window. but honestly, who cares, its a fix it ticket, and just get a note from a dermatologist saying you need it from your skin.

limo it.

A Dr's note won't work.

[Charlescrs6]

its illegal for the front passanger and driver window. but honestly, who cares, its a fix it ticket, and just get a note from a dermatologist saying you need it from your skin.

limo it.

tell me that doesn't work haha

[Cargo8]

doctors notes are not acknowledged (as written in law) in california either,
although someone once mentioned to me that they got by with a doc's note

[SouthpawE46]

70% for front passenger / driver side windows
anything in the back
anything in the rear windshield
nothing on the front windshield except for the top 4 inches or so.

+1

[oc-drop]

Usually any tint in the front will get you a ticket, but if you have 70% or higher you can get the tint reffed/inspected/metered (I think by CHP) to write off the ticket

someone correct me if i'm wrong

[tbone5446]

all I know is my front two windows are losing their tint, for a couple of hours until I get my fucking fix-it ticket signed off.

[Quattro]

if you have a note, its up to the cop of he wants to give you a ticket. The problem is the tint is suppose to be removable at night in order for you not to get a ticket.

I have a note =D

[Rated S]

When did it change to 70% in the front? I have always read and been told (by friendly cops) that its not allowed on the front 2.

[Cargo8]

it's always been 70% at least for the past few years that I have been aware

[gaogi]

you can't even tell the windows is tinted at 70%. Our cars probably already come 70% tinted from the factory.

[cgmiller63]

My husband is a cop and he said tint on the front windows is illegal. Tint on the rear windows are okay only if you have driver and passenger side mirrors. However, most cops won't hassle you if you have light tint on the front windows.

[Cargo8]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

26708. (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.

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.

(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.

The law says anything on the rear. Front windows are 88%, but I'm pretty sure that the "window glazing material meeting requirements of safety standard 205" are almost all tints -- ipso facto 70% on the front windows. cops don't know everything

[(o)o)o)o)]

if it's not permitted even with a Doc's note. Then why the hell do cops always ask... " why are your front windows tinted?".. i highly doubt they wanna hear another bullshit excuse, unless it's a legitimate reason, with proof. (to the reasoning)

[belinko]

if it's not permitted even with a Doc's note. Then why the hell do cops always ask... " why are your front windows tinted?".. i highly doubt they wanna hear another bullshit excuse, unless it's a legitimate reason, with proof. (to the reasoning)

Why do they ask?

So that you admit guilt, when you say they are tinted, otherwise they'd have to proove it.

[poopypants]

Limo rear, and dark up front. I've had no problems, and i have a front euro plate. I guess it comes down to if you drive like an ass and love attention.

[fusionx]

ive been pulled over 4 times with 35% all the way around and all 4 cops acknowledged the tint but let me go on a verbal warning, id say 35% is the way to go...

[HP18]

I've had limo on the front windows for 4 years now, it all depends on how well aware you are of cops around you..if you see one..roll them down or open the sunroof or turn the interior lights on at night

seems like a lot of work..if your lazy.

[Subaru71]

You guys are mistaken. It is 70% for the front passenger windows.
http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html

Nope.. Nothing in the front driver and passenger windows and only 4" on the windshield up at the top. You can have anything you want behind the front row.

I've received multiple tickets for my multiple cars and have checked it multiple times with the CHP. Last time I checked was a few months ago, but if you want to latest i suggest chp.ca.gov

edit: I was bored so I found the link for you http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

apparantly if you see at the bottom, front side windows must have minimum 88% light transmittance

[Bandar1113]

The truth of the matter is that cops won't even notice 75% of the time. And if you see a piece of bacon just put your front windows down

[VMRWheels]

The law specified that the material used has to have minimum 88% light transmittance, and that the material applied (tint) along with the window and any glazing on the window (OEM applied coatings, laminated glass, etc) combined is no less than 70% transmittance.


I believe by DOT rules, OEM glass must have a minimum of 80% light transmittance, so CA does allow for a slight time to be applied to the frint windows, but it will be VERY slight and unnoticeable. putting on the IR reflecting clear tint will probably bring it to this threshold.

[Cargo8]

apparently people ignored me when i posted this above, so here we go: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

26708. (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.

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.

(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.

The law says anything on the rear. Front windows are 88%, but I'm pretty sure that the "window glazing material meeting requirements of safety standard 205" are almost all tints -- ipso facto 70% on the front windows. cops don't know everything

[MurderedA4*20]

i have a note from my doctor it kinda works depending n the cop, i have 5% all around and 35% on my windshield and i have been pulled over 2 times and only got 1 ticket..

[AudiA4Turbo22]

Medical Exemption State law does NOT allow medical exemptions that would allow you use special tint.

[clumpymold]

i have a note from my doctor it kinda works depending n the cop, i have 5% all around and 35% on my windshield and i have been pulled over 2 times and only got 1 ticket..

Holy crap, that's dark! Lesse some pictures! Is your car also black on black? That'd be insane!

I've been told by many cops that tint on the front sides (and windshield) is illegal (I have 7% rear, 17% sides, and 50% on windshield on my BMW). But if they can see you, you're usually okay. They say about 30-50% is usually okay.

[cbdsm95gst]

doctors notes are not acknowledged (as written in law) in california either,
although someone once mentioned to me that they got by with a doc's note

I would say by discretion of the cop... you might be ok.

[Tekk]

Most people say screw it and get whatever they want. Enforcement of the law is so random is impossible to really get an accurate estimate of the likelihood to get pulled over JUST for tint. I had medium tint (whatever that is in % I have no idea but Im sure it was technically illegal) on both my Volvo S60R and SRT4 all the way around (does not include my front windshield) and not once did I get stopped about. My wife has had it as well since 2004.

Its the same question regarding tinted tail-lamps. I had my RS4 for less than a week and was pulled over for tinted tail-lamps in Irvine. I couldn't even tell you how many times in a day I see COMPLETELY blacked out tail lamps on other cars yet I never have heard of anyone getting pulled over for it. Just shit luck for me that day I suppose

[clumpymold]

Most people say screw it and get whatever they want. Enforcement of the law is so random is impossible to really get an accurate estimate of the likelihood to get pulled over JUST for tint. I had medium tint (whatever that is in % I have no idea but Im sure it was technically illegal) on both my Volvo S60R and SRT4 all the way around (does not include my front windshield) and not once did I get stopped about. My wife has had it as well since 2004.

Its the same question regarding tinted tail-lamps. I had my RS4 for less than a week and was pulled over for tinted tail-lamps in Irvine. I couldn't even tell you how many times in a day I see COMPLETELY blacked out tail lamps on other cars yet I never have heard of anyone getting pulled over for it. Just shit luck for me that day I suppose

How much was the fine/ticket for smoked taillights? I also got pulled over in about a week after getting my car (for tint though). The officer also mentioned my smoked taillights and missing front plate but he didn't give me a ticket for those.