What is the maximum tint allowed in california

At Jet Black Tint, we provide professional vehicle tint and security film services to the Bay Area, California. We guarantee that all of our completed tint jobs comply with California state law and local regulations. In accordance with such laws, we’ll provide you with a signed certificate stating the visible light transmission (VLT) percentage clearly. 

Window Tint Darkness

Whether you’re looking for enhanced privacy or simply attempting to reduce the amount of sunshine that makes it into your car, you’re likely searching for maximal tint darkness for your car’s windows. California state law specifies that only the top four inches of a sedan, SUV, or van’s windshield can be tinted. Front side window after-market tint must allow 88% of light to pass through on its own, or 70% of light to pass through the window when the tint is combined with factory tinted vehicle windows. For backside and rear windows, any window tint darkness can be used but requires dual side mirrors. 

Common window tint percentages for rear windows are 50, 35, 20, and 5%. The lower the VLT, the darker the tint, where 5% is the darkest window tint on the market and used to “blackout” windows for privacy or security tinting. 50 VLT is common for the everyday luxury car owner looking to reduce sunlight and enhance the appearance of their high-end vehicles. 

When you visit Jet Black Tint, our window tint specialists will help you decide which VLT is best for your needs and your vehicle. We legally certify your window’s tint and can ensure that your tinted vehicle remains street legal. 

Window Tint Reflection

California law regarding window tint reflection is as straightforward as it gets — aftermarket window tints cannot be any more reflective than a standard vehicle window. Polarized, reflective, or mirrored tint, that are used to reduce glare inside the vehicle, is illegal on California roadways and illegal for California auto tint dealers to install on any vehicle. While previous versions of state statutes allowed for some forms of reflection, it has since been deemed unsafe to other drivers, potentially causing sun glare reflected off reflective windows. 

Window Tint Colors

Current California window tint laws prohibit the use of blue, amber, or red-colored tints. Previously, blue and amber were common window tint colors used to reduce sunlight entry in an attempt to control the heat without affecting the transparency of the windows. Previous versions of the laws permitted various colors to be used, but under current tint laws, there is no grandfather clause. A safe bet is always jet black tint.

Medical Exemptions

Consistent with other California road safety laws, there are some medical exemptions permitted. Those with certain medical conditions that require additional protection from the sun are eligible to receive a medical exemption for a lower VLT on front side windows, providing they obtain the proper medical paperwork in addition to being granted a tint film medical exemption from the state. Current regulations do not permit additional tinting of the windshield beyond the 4 inches mentioned above. Those who require additional sun protection through their car windows can use other UV filtering devices in addition to tint film on all windows, but they need to be removed after dark and cannot alter the tint, color, or transparency of the window.

Potential Violation Penalties

California law enforcement officers (LEO) are equipped with a light transmittance meter and are authorized to stop vehicles that appear to be violating tint laws and test the VLT of front side windows and windshields. For first-time offenders, LEO will issue a “fix-it” warning, offering the driver an opportunity to make the necessary changes. For a second stop, the driver will be ordered to have the tint removed and issued a $25 traffic ticket. Subsequent stops can be legally charged and incur a fine of $197. To avoid penalties, find a Jet Black Tint location near you and let our tint specialists install high-quality window tint that looks great and meets all of California state laws. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the darkest legal window tint permitted in California?

For the rear windows of sedans, SUVs, and vans, any percentage of window tint is authorized. For front-side windows, 70 VLT is the darkest legal tint. 

What if my vehicle was tinted in another state?

As is true with every law, once state lines are crossed, the individual is responsible for following the laws of the current state they are in. For window tint, California laws must be followed on California roadways regardless of the state in which the tint was applied or the car is registered. For instance, for our friends in Katy, Texas, local tint laws allow for the front windows to be tinted to 25% VLT with up to 25% reflectivity, and a 5-inch windshield tint strip. If your vehicle was purchased and tinted in Texas, but you are driving it into California, you are required to modify the window tint to meet local law.

At Jet Black Tint, our tint specialists are well-versed in the local and national tint laws and keep up with regulation changes. In addition to state laws, our tint shops follow local county and regional interpretations of state law. With 13 locations in various California cities and a location in Katy, Texas, we make it routine to keep abreast of potential and actual changes to the law to offer you the best legal service we can. When you work with us, you can feel confident your luxury ride will both look slick and avoid legal penalties. Find a location near you and book your tint service today.

Is 20 tint illegal in California?

Can I get away with 50% tint in California?

What is the darkest legal tint?

What tint will get you pulled over in California?