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State Window Tinting Laws: I through M
Updated: Jan 16 2007 These laws may not be current and are often enforced differently by different PD's. In all cases, refer to you local authority for enforcement policies, current laws, rules or regulations. Your current state law is the final authority, not this website! The numbers represent the percentage of light transmitted through the tinted glass, so the lower the number, the darker the film allowed. Generally the films are sold as 5%(limo), 20%(dark), 35%(medium), 50%(light).A to H I to M N to O P to W Illinois Vehicles Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/ ARTICLE V. GLASS, WINDSHIELDS AND MIRRORS (625 ILCS 5/12-500) Sec. 12-500. (Repealed). (Source: P. A. 77-37. Repealed by P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.) (625 ILCS 5/12-501) Sec. 12-501. Windshields and safety glazing material in motor vehicles. (a) Every motor vehicle operated upon the highways of this State shall be equipped with a front windshield which complies with those standards as established pursuant to this Section and Section 12-503 of this Code. This subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles designed and used exclusively for off-highway use, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, motorized pedalcycles, nor to motor vehicles registered as antique vehicles when the original design of such vehicles did not include front windshields. (b) No person shall knowingly sell any 1936 or later model motor vehicle unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glazing material conforming to specifications prescribed by the Department wherever glazing material is used in doors, windows and windshields. Regulations promulgated by the Department specifying standards for safety glazing material on windshields shall, as a minimum, conform with those applicable Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards (49 CFR 571.205). These provisions apply to all motor vehicles of the first and second division but with respect to trucks, including truck tractors, the requirements as to safety glazing material apply to all glazing material used in doors, windows and windshields in the drivers' compartments of such vehicles. (c) It is unlawful for the owner or any other person knowingly to install or cause to be installed in any motor vehicle any glazing material other than safety glazing material conforming to the specifications prescribed by the Department. (Source: P.A. 85-1144.) (625 ILCS 5/12-502) Sec. 12-502. Mirrors. Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle. (Source: P.A. 82-122.) (625 ILCS 5/12-503) Sec. 12-503. Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, nonreflective material or tinted film upon the front windshield, sidewings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver. A nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield. Nothing in this Section shall create a cause of action on behalf of a buyer against a dealer or manufacturer who sells a motor vehicle with a window which is in violation of this Section. (b) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the use of nonreflective, smoked or tinted glass, nonreflective film, perforated window screen or other decorative window application on windows to the rear of the driver's seat, except that any motor vehicle with a window to the rear of the driver's seat treated in this manner shall be equipped with a side mirror on each side of the motor vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502. (c) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield, rear window, side wings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver which materially obstructs the driver's view. (d) Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles, shall be equipped with a device, controlled by the driver, for cleaning rain, snow, moisture or other obstructions from the windshield; and no person shall drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway. (e) No person shall drive a motor vehicle when the windshield, side or rear windows are in such defective condition or repair as to materially impair the driver's view to the front, side or rear. A vehicle equipped with a side mirror on each side of the vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502 will be deemed to be in compliance in the event the rear window of the vehicle is materially obscured. (f) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section shall not apply to: (1) motor vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1982; or (2) to those motor vehicles properly registered in another jurisdiction. (g) Paragraph (a) of this Section shall not apply to any motor vehicle with a window treatment, including but not limited to a window application, reflective material, nonreflective material, or tinted film, applied or affixed to the motor vehicle for the purposes set forth in item (1) or (2) before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 and: (1) that is owned and operated by a person afflicted with or suffering from a medical illness, ailment, or disease which would require that person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or (2) that is used in transporting a person when the person resides at the same address as the registered owner of the vehicle and the person is afflicted with or suffering from a medical illness, ailment or disease which would require the person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; It must be certified by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Illinois that such person owning and operating or being transported in a motor vehicle is afflicted with or suffers from such illness, ailment, or disease and such certification must be carried in the motor vehicle at all times. The certification shall be legible and shall contain the date of issuance, the name, address and signature of the attending physician, and the name, address, and medical condition of the person requiring exemption. The information on the certificate for a window treatment applied or affixed before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 must remain current and shall be renewed annually by the attending physician, but in no event shall a certificate issued for purposes of this subsection be valid on or after January 1, 2008. The person shall also submit a copy of the certification to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State may forward notice of certification to law enforcement agencies. This subsection shall not be construed to authorize window treatments applied or affixed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997. The exemption provided by this subsection (g) shall not apply to any motor vehicle on and after January 1, 2008. (h) Paragraph (a) of this Section shall not apply to motor vehicle stickers or other certificates issued by State or local authorities which are required to be displayed upon motor vehicle windows to evidence compliance with requirements concerning motor vehicles. (i) Those motor vehicles exempted under paragraph (f)(1) of this Section shall not cause their windows to be treated as described in paragraph (a) after January 1, 1993. (j) A person found guilty of violating paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be guilty of a petty offense and fined no less than $50 nor more than $500. A second or subsequent violation of paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be treated as a Class C misdemeanor and the violator fined no less than $100 nor more than $500. Any person convicted under paragraphs (a), (b), or (i) of this Section shall be ordered to alter any nonconforming windows into compliance with this Section. (Source: P.A. 90-389, eff. 1-1-98.) Indiana IC 9-19-19-4 Sec. 4. (a) This section does not apply to a manufacturer's tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise in compliance with or permitted by FMVSS205 as promulgated in 49 CFR 571.205. Proof from the manufacturer, supplier, or installer that the tinting or glazing is in compliance with or permitted by FMVSS205 must be carried in the vehicle. (b) This section does not apply to the driver of a vehicle: (1) that is owned by an individual required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or (2) in which an individual required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun is a habitual passenger. The medical reasons must be attested to by a physician licensed to practice in Indiana, and the physician's certification of that condition must be carried in the vehicle. The physician's certificate must be renewed annually. (c) A person may not drive a motor vehicle that has a: (1) windshield; (2) side wing; (3) side window that is part of a front door; or (4) rear back window; that is covered by or treated with sunscreening material or is tinted to the extent or manufactured in a way that the occupants of the vehicle cannot be easily identified or recognized through that window from outside the vehicle. However, it is a defense if the sunscreening material applied to those windows has a total solar reflectance of visible light of not more than twenty-five percent (25%) as measured on the nonfilm side and light transmittance of at least thirty percent (30%) in the visible light range. Notes: 1. Effective Oct 1, 1981 which made front side windows that were too dark illegal. The definition of "too dark" was vague and interpretation was up to the whim of the police officer. 2. Ammended in 1989 and effective on Jul 1, 1989 to add in specific standards on what is too dark based on percentage of light transmission. The rear-back window was added into the window tint regulation. 3. Ammended in 1995 through HB1214 sponsored by Rep. L. Jack Lutz, Rep. Gary Cook and Senator Adams, effective Jul 1, 1995 to change the burden of proof from the police officer who has to prove the window tint is illegal to the driver who has to prove that the window tint is legal. 4. HB1344 sponsored by Rep. Harris would put the burden of proof back on the police officer where it belongs. It has died in committee without a hearing. ssb 256 -- TINTED WINDOWS A study bill for an act relating to tinted windows and making a penalty applicable. 3-7-95, Subcommittee: Lind, Dearden and Gettings. (SF 378). Page 1 1 Section 1. Section 321.438, subsection 2, Code 1995, is 2 amended to read as follows: 3 2. a. A Except as provided in paragraph "b", a person 4 shall not operate on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with 5 a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or 6 left of the driver, or a side=wing forward of and to the left 7 or right of the driver which is excessively dark or reflective 8 so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle 9 to see into the motor vehicle through the windshield, window, 10 or sidewing sidewings, or side or rear windows which allow for 11 less than seventy percent light tranmittance. The department 12 shall adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard 13 of transparency which shall apply to violations of this 14 subsection. 15 b. A person suffering from a light=sensitive disorder may 16 operate a motor vehicle equipped with windows with less than 17 seventy percent light transmittance, if that person has made 18 application and has received a waiver of the restriction for 19 the person's motor vehicle and if a light=sensitive disorder 20 permit is properly affixed to the person's motor vehicle. The 21 department shall waive the restriction and issue an 22 accompanying permit if the applicant files a written statement 23 signed by a licensed vision specialist which certifies that 24 the applicant suffers from a light=sensitive disorder and that 25 it is medically necessary for the person to obtain a waiver of 26 the light transmittance requirements of this subsection. Any 27 other person operating a motor vehicle with a light=sensitive 28 disorder permit affixed to the motor vehicle shall not be 29 charged with a violation of this section, even though that 30 person does not suffer from a light=sensitive disorder. As 31 used in this paragraph, "licensed vision specialist" means a 32 physician or osteopath licensed under chapter 148, 150, or 33 150A, or an optometrist licensed under chapter 154. This 34 exemption does not apply to commercial vehicles or commercial 35 motor vehicles. Page 2 EXPLANATION This bill prohibits a person from operating a motor vehicle with a windshield or other windows which allow for less than 70 percent light transmittance. This bill allows a person suffering from a light=sensitive disorder to obtain a permit from the state department of transportation allowing the person to operate a motor vehicle with a front windshield, a front side window, or front sidewing with less than 70 percent light transmittance. The person must make application to the department and present a signed statement from a licensed vision specialist indicating that it is medically necessary for that person to operate a motor vehicle whose light transmittance is lower than the present requirement. Any other person operating a motor vehicle with a light=sensitive disorder permit cannot be charged with a violation of section 321.438, subsection 2, even though that person does not suffer from a light=sensitive disorder. This exemption does not apply to commercial vehicles or commercial motor vehicles. A violation of section 321.438 is a scheduled fine of $15. LSB 2305SC 76 js/sc/14 Section 1. K.S.A. 8-1749a (a) No motor vehicle required to be registered in this state and which is operated on the highways of this state shall be equipped with one-way glass or any sun screen device, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1749b and used in conjunction with safety glazing materials that do not meet the following requirements: (1) A sun screening device when used in conjunction with the windshield shall be nonreflective and shall not be red, yellow or amber in color. A sun screening device shall be used only along the top of the windshield and shall not extend downward beyond the AS1 line which is clearly defined and marked; (2) a sun screening device when used in conjunction with the safety glazing materials of the side wings or side windows located at nbsp; the immediate right and left of the driver, the side windows behind the driver and the rear most window shall be nonreflective; and (3) the total light transmission shall not be less than 35% when a sun screening device is used in conjunction with safety glazing materials or other existing sun screening devices. (b) The superintendent of the highway patrol may adopt such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of subsection (a). (c) This section shall not prohibit labels, stickers or other informa- tional signs that are required or permitted by state law. (d) No motor vehicle required to be registered in this state which is operated on the highways of this state shall be equipped with head lamps which are covered with any sun screen device, adhesive film or other glaze or application which, when such lamps are not in operation, is highly reflective or otherwise nontransparent. (e) (1) From and after July 1, 1987, and prior to January 1, 1988, a law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to any person violating the provisions of this section. (2) From and after January 1, 1988, any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Kentucky Kentucky Revised Statues 189.110 KRS 189.110 Unobstructed windshields -- Display of American flag -- Windshield wipers. (1) A windshield in a fixed and upright position, that is equipped with safety glazing as required by federal safety-glazing material standards, is required on every motor vehicle which is operated on the public highways, roads, and streets, except on a motorcycle or implement of husbandry. (2) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle on a public highway, road, or street with any sign, sunscreening material, product, or covering attached to, or located in or upon the windshield, except the following: (a) A certificate or other paper required to be displayed by law; (b) Sunscreening material along a strip at the top of the windshield, if the material is transparent and does not encroach upon the driver's direct forward viewing area as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 205 as the AS/1 portion of the windshield. (3) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle required to be registered in the Commonwealth, on a public highway, road, or street on which vehicle the side wings and side windows on either side forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat are composed of, covered by, or treated with any sunscreening material or other product or covering which has the effect of making the window nontransparent or which would alter the window's color, increase its reflectivity, or reduce its light transmittance, except as expressly permitted by this section. A sunscreening material may be applied to the windows if, when tested on one-eighth (1/8) inch clear glass, the material has a total solar reflectance of visible light of not more than twenty-five percent (25%) as measured on the nonfilm side and a light transmittance of at least thirty-five percent (35%) in the visible light range. (4) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle required to be registered in the Commonwealth, on a public highway, road, or street on which vehicle any windows behind the driver are composed of, covered by, or treated with any sunscreening material, or other product or material which has the effect of making the window nontransparent or which would alter the window's color, increase its reflectivity, or reduce its light transmittance, except as specified below: (a) Sunscreen material consisting of film which, when tested on one-eighth (1/8) inch clear glass, has a total solar reflectance of visible light of not more than thirty-five percent (35%) as measured on the nonfilm side and a light transmittance of at least eighteen percent (18%) in the visible light range; however, sunscreen material which, when tested on one-eighth (1/8) inch clear glass, has a total solar reflectance of visible light of not more than thirty-five percent (35%) as measured on the nonfilm side and a light transmittance of at least eight percent (8%) in the visible light range may be used on multipurpose passenger vehicles; (b) Perforated sunscreening material which, when tested in conjunction with existing glazing or film material, has a total reflectance of visible light of not more than thirty-five percent (35%) and a light transmittance of no less than thirty percent (30%). For those products or materials having different levels of reflectance, the highest reflectance from the product or material will be measured by dividing the area into sixteen (16) equal sections and averaging the overall reflectance. The measured reflectance of any of those sections may not exceed fifty percent (50%). (5) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle required to be registered in the Commonwealth, upon a public highway, road, or street, on which vehicle the rear window is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has the effect of making the window nontransparent, unless the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors on both sides. (6) Each installer or seller of sunscreening material shall provide a pressure-sensitive, self-destructive, nonremovable, vinyl-type film label to the purchaser stating that the material complies with the provisions of KRS 189.010(20) to (23) and subsections (1) to (5) of this section. Each installer shall affix the required label to the inside left door jamb of the motor vehicle. In addition, the label shall state the trade name of the material and the installer's or seller's business name. Labeling is not required for factory glazing which complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205. (7) Every percentage measurement required by subsections (3) and (4) of this section is subject to a tolerance of plus or minus three percent (3%). (8) A person shall not install window tinting materials on a vehicle that fails to meet the minimum standards for light transmission pursuant to subsections (3) and (4) of this section. Tinted material that fails to meet the minimum standards for light transmission pursuant to subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall be removed immediately. (9) A person who applies sunscreening materials in violation of this section shall be guilty upon conviction of a Class B misdemeanor. (10) Nothing in this section shall prevent the display of a representation of the American flag on the rear window of any motor vehicle, including any vehicle owned by a local or state government, provided that the representation does not exceed a size of five (5) inches by eight (8) inches and is placed in a lower corner of the rear window. (11) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be so constructed as to be controlled by the operator of the vehicle. (12) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of any window which is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or component in a manner approved by federal statute or regulation if the window was a component part of a vehicle at the time of the vehicle manufacture, or the replacement of any window by a covering which meets these requirements. Maryland 22-406 (i) Window Tinting (i)Window Tinting - (1)Except as provided in Paragraph (4) of this subsection, a person may not operate a vehicle registered under Section 13-912, 13-913, 13-917, or 13-937 of this article on a highway in this State if: (i) In the case of a vehicle registered under Section 13-912 of this article, there is affixed to any window of the vehicle any tinting materials added to to the window after manufacture of the vehicle that do not allow a light transmittance through the window of at least 35%; and (ii) In the case of a vehicle registered under section 13-913, 13-917 or 13-937 of this article, there is affixed to any window to the immediate right or left of the driver any window tinting materials added after manufacture of the vehicle that do not allow a light transmittance through the window of at least 35%. Chapter 90: Section 9D. Windshields and windows obscured by nontransparent materials, signs, stickers, etc.; penalties. Section 9D. No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public way or upon any way to which the public shall have the right of access with any of the following affixed thereto: (1) a sign, poster or sticker on the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the operator's seat and the front passenger seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator's seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window in such a manner so as to obstruct, impede or distort the vision of the operator. (2) nontransparent or sunscreen material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film used in any way to cover or treat the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator's seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator's seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window, so as to make such windshield and said window glass areas in any way nontransparent or obscured from either the interior or exterior thereof. This section shall not apply to: (1) motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass areas equipped in accordance with specifications of 49 Code of Federal Regulations 571.205 as authorized by 15 USC 1407. (2) the use of draperies, louvers, or other special window treatments, except those specifically designated in this section, on the rear window, or a side window to the rear of the driver if the vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. (3) federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, watch guard or patrol agencies licensed under the provisions of section twenty-five of chapter one hundred and forty-seven and college, university and hospital police agencies appointed under the provisions of section sixty-three of chapter twenty-two C utilizing K-9 teams in a motor vehicle while in the regular performance of their duties provided said motor vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. (Amended by 1992, 286, Sec. 156 eff. 7-1-92.) (4) the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application which has a total visible light reflectance of not more than thirty-five per cent or a visible light transmittance of not less than thirty-five per cent on the side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator's seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator's seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. (5) the use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost 6%2d along the top of the windshield, provided such strip does not encroach upon the driver's direct forward viewing area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. (6) a vehicle registered in another state, territory or another country or province. (7) the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film used in any way to cover or treat the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator's seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window so as to make such window glass areas in any way nontransparent or obscured from either the interior or exterior thereof of a private passenger motor vehicle registered under the provisions of this chapter for public livery and hired for that purpose for any period of time which exclusion shall not include a taxicab. (8) special window treatment or application determined necessary by a licensed physician, for the protection of the owner or operator of a private passenger motor vehicle who is determined to be light or picturesensitive. Applications for such exemption based upon such medical reason or reasons shall be made in writing to the medical advisory board established under section eight C. All applications must be supported by a written attestation of a physician licensed to practice in this commonwealth of the necessity thereof. Upon granting of such exemption by the board, the registrar shall issue a sufficiently noticeable sticker to the applicant which shall be affixed to the side window immediately adjacent to the operator. The registrar shall keep a record of all such exemption stickers so issued. The registrar shall, in accordance with the provisions of section thirty-one, establish rules and regulations to provide standards to measure the aforementioned percentage of reflectance and transmittance of light, and shall provide for testing of any motor vehicle glazing alleged to be in violation of this section. A statement from the registrar attesting that such glazing treated or covered with nontransparent or sunscreen material window application or reflective film is in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be prima facie evidence of such compliance in any prosecution thereof. No person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale or trade, equip or operate a motor vehicle in the commonwealth in violation of the provisions of this section; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the manufacture or sale of reflective or nonreflective film in the commonwealth. Violations of any provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars. Upon a third or subsequent conviction of a violation of the provisions of this section, the registrar shall suspend the operator's license of a person so convicted for a period not to exceed ninety days. Michigan 257.709 Windshields and windows; prohibitions; rearview mirrors; exceptions; windshield wipers; exemption; hot air windshield defroster or electrically heated windshield; windshield washer; definitions. Sec. 709. (1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with any of the following: (a) A sign, poster, nontransparent material, window application, reflective film, or nonreflective film upon or in the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the driver or front passenger, or the sidewings adjacent to and forward of the driver or front passenger, except that a tinted film may be used along the top edge of the windshield and the side windows or sidewings immediately adjacent to the driver or front passenger if the material does not extend more than 4 inches from the top of the windshield, or lower than the shade band, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. (b) A rear window or side window to the rear of the driver composed of, covered by, or treated with a material that creates a total solar reflectance of 35% or more in the visible light range, including a silver or gold reflective film. (c) A dangling ornament or other suspended object except as authorized by law which obstructs the vision of the driver of the vehicle. (2) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if driver visibility through the rear window is obstructed, unless the vehicle is equipped with 2 rearview mirrors, 1 on each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. (3) This section shall not apply to: (a) The use of draperies, louvers, or other special window treatments, except those specifically designated in this section, on the rear window, or a side window to the rear of the driver if the vehicle is equipped with 2 outside rearview mirrors, 1 on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle. (b) The use of a nonreflective, smoked or tinted glass, nonreflective film, perforated window screen, or other decorative window application on the rear window or a side window to the rear of the driver. (c) The placement of a necessary certificate or sticker that does not obstruct the driver's clear view of the roadway or an intersecting roadway. (d) A vehicle registered in another state, territory, commonwealth of the United States, or another country or province. (e) A special window treatment or application determined necessary by a physician or optometrist, for the protection of a person who is light or picturesensitive, if the owner or operator of a motor vehicle has in possession a letter signed by a physician or optometrist, indicating the need for the special window treatment or application as a medical necessity. However, the special window treatment or application shall not interfere with or obstruct the driver's clear vision of the highway or an intersecting highway. (4) Except as provided in subsection (5), the windshield on each motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. A vehicle licensed as an historical vehicle is exempt from this subsection if the vehicle was not originally equipped with such a device. Each windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order. (5) A truck with a gross weight over 10,000 pounds, truck tractor, bus, or a truck regardless of weight carrying hazardous materials on which a placard is required to be posted pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 171 parts 100 to 199 having a windshield shall be equipped with not less than 2 automatically operating windshield wiper blades, 1 on each side of the centerline of the windshield, for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. The blades shall be in such condition as to provide clear vision for the driver, unless 1 blade is so arranged as to clean an area of the windshield extending to within 1 inch of the limit of vision through the windshield at each side. However, in driveaway-towaway operations, this subsection shall apply only to the driven vehicle. In addition, 1 windshield wiper blade suffices under this subsection when the driven vehicle in a driveaway-towaway operation constitutes part or all of the property being transported and has no provision for 2 blades. A truck and truck tractor, manufactured after June 30, 1953, that depends upon vacuum to operate the windshield wipers, shall be so constructed that the operation of the wipers is not materially impaired by change in the intake manifold pressure. (6) A truck with a gross weight over 10,000 pounds, truck tractor, bus, or a truck regardless of weight carrying hazardous materials on which a placard is required to be posed pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 171 parts 100 to 199 shall not be operated on the highways at any time unless it is equipped with a hot air windshield defroster or an electrically heated windshield or other scientific method that is devised so long as the windshield is heated and maintained in operable condition at all times. (7) A licensed motor vehicle which is manufactured after January 1, 1956, shall not be operated on the highways unless it is equipped with a windshield washer maintained in operable condition at all times and capable of cleaning the windshield so as to leave the driver with a clear view of the highway or an intersecting highway. (8) As used in this section: (a) "Physician" means a person licensed by the state to engage in the practice of medicine or the practice of osteopathic medicine and surgery under article 15 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978, being sections 333.16101 to 333.18838 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. (b) "Optometrist" means a person licensed by the state to engage in the practice of optometry under article 15 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978. Minnesota 169.71 Windshields. Subdivision 1. Prohibitions generally. No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle with a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to limit or obstruct proper vision, or, except for law enforcement vehicles, with any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than sun visors and rear vision mirrors, or with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, side or rear windows of such vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law, or authorized by the state director of the division of emergency management, or the commissioner of public safety. Subd. 2. Windshield wipers. The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. Subd. 3. Defrosting requirement. No person shall drive any motor vehicle with the windshield or front side windows covered with steam or frost to such an extent as to prevent proper vision. Subd. 4. Glazing materials; prohibitions and exceptions. No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle required to be registered in the state of Minnesota upon any street or highway under the following conditions: (a) when the windshield is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has the effect of making the windshield more reflective or in any other way reducing light transmittance through the windshield; (b) when any window on the vehicle is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material that has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance; (c) when any side window or rear window is composed of or treated with any material so as to obstruct or substantially reduce the driver's clear view through the window or has a light transmittance of less than 50 percent plus or minus three percent in the visible light range or a luminous reflectance of more than 20 percent plus or minus three percent; or (d) when any material has been applied after August 1, 1985, to any motor vehicle window without an accompanying permanent marking which indicates the percent of transmittance and the percent of reflectance afforded by the material. The marking must be in a manner so as not to obscure vision and be readable when installed on the vehicle. This subdivision does not apply to glazing materials which: (a) have not been modified since the original installation, nor to original replacement windows and windshields, that were originally installed or replaced in conformance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205; (b) are required to satisfy prescription or medical needs of the driver of the vehicle or a passenger if the driver or passenger is in possession of the prescription or a physician's statement of medical need; or (c) are applied to: (1) the rear windows of a pickup truck as defined in section 168.011, subdivision 29; (2) the rear windows or the side windows on either side behind the driver's seat of a van as defined in section 168.011, subdivision 28; (3) the side and rear windows of a vehicle used to transport human remains by a funeral establishment holding a permit under section 149.08; or (4) the side and rear windows of a limousine as defined in section 168.011, subdivision 35. Mississippi Revised through 1996 Legislative Session SEC. 63-7-59. Windows and window glass generally; windshield wipers. (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle required to be registered in this state upon the public roads, streets or highways in this state with any sign or poster, or with any glazing material which causes a mirrored effect, upon the front windshield, side wings or side or rear windows of such vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper required or authorized to be so displayed by law. No person shall drive any motor vehicle required to be registered in this state upon the public roads, streets or highways in this state with any tinted film, glazing material or darkening material of any kind on the windshield of a motor vehicle except material designed to replace or provide a sun shield in the uppermost area as authorized to be installed by manufacturers of vehicles under federal law. (2) From and after January 1, 1989, no person shall drive any motor vehicle required to be registered in this state upon the public roads, streets or highways in this state with any window so tinted or darkened, by tinted film or otherwise, that the interior of the vehicle is so obscured that a viewer with vision sufficient to qualify for a Mississippi driver's license cannot readily see into the interior of the vehicle by looking into it from outside the vehicle; provided, however, this prohibition shall not apply to school buses, other buses used for public transportation, any bus or van owned or leased by a nonprofit organization duly incorporated under the laws of this state, any limousine owned or leased by a private or public entity or any other motor vehicle the windows of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery as permitted by federal law or federal regulations. Notwithstanding the prohibitions of this subsection, no person shall be charged with a violation of this subsection and it shall be a complete defense for any person charged with a violation of this subsection if: (a) Each window of the vehicle upon which tinted or darkening material has been applied has affixed to it a label approved under subsection (6) of this section certifying that the window: (i) Has a luminous reflectance not exceeding twenty percent (20%); and (ii) Has a light transmittance of thirty-five percent (35%) or more; or (b) The person has a certificate of compliance for the vehicle issued by a law enforcement officer of the Department of Public Safety, as hereinafter provided. (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, it shall be lawful for any person who has been diagnosed by a licensed physician in this state as having a physical condition or disease which is seriously aggravated by minimum exposure to sunlight to place or have placed upon the windshield or windows of any motor vehicle which he owns or operates or within which he regularly travels as a passenger tinted film or other darkening material which would otherwise be in violation of this section. However, any such vehicle, in order to be exempt under this subsection, shall have prominently displayed on the vehicle dashboard a certificate of medical exemption on a form prepared by the Commissioner of Public Safety and signed by the person on whose behalf the certificate is issued. The special certificate authorized by this subsection (3) shall be issued free of charge to the applicants through the offices of the tax collectors of the counties. Each applicant shall present to the issuing official (a) an affidavit signed personally by the applicant and signed and attested by a physician which states the applicant's physical condition or disease which entitles him to an exemption under this subsection, and (b) proof of ownership of the motor vehicle by the applicant, or a signed affidavit by the owner of a motor vehicle operated for the use of the applicant, for which he is obtaining the certificate. (4) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. (5) From and after July 1, 1988, any motor vehicle required to be registered in this state with a window therein which has been tinted or darkened with any tinted film or other darkening material after factory delivery may have affixed to the lower left corner of each such window a label legible from outside the vehicle which indicates the label registration number, a certification of compliance with Mississippi law, and such other information as the Commissioner of Public Safety deems appropriate. The label shall be of a type which is pressure-sensitive, self-destructive upon removal, and no larger than one (1) inch square in size. (6) Before shipping or making any tinted film or darkening material available for installation on a motor vehicle in this state, the manufacturer shall apply to the Commissioner of Public Safety for approval and registration of its tinted film or darkening material and the label which may be used in the identification and certification of compliance with the light transmittance and reflectance standards established under subsection (2) of this section. The commissioner shall approve no tinted film or darkening material or any label to be used upon the window of a vehicle unless the manufacturer demonstrates that the film and label comply with the provisions of this section. (7) With every delivery of tinted film or darkening material for installation upon the window of a motor vehicle in this state, the manufacturer shall provide the label as approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety with written instructions indicating the proper location for placement of the label as required by this section. (8) Any labels approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety under subsection (6) of this section may be affixed to the windows of a motor vehicle which have been tinted or darkened with any tinted film or other darkening material after factory delivery. The presence of such label upon the window of a motor vehicle shall indicate that the person who affixed the label certifies that the window meets the restrictions of subsection (2) of this section as to luminous reflectance and light transmittance. (9) From and after July 1, 1988, no person shall install any tinted film, darkening material, glazing material or any other material upon the windshield or any window of a motor vehicle which, after the installation thereof, would result in such vehicle being in violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section if driven on the public roads, streets or highways of this state after January 1, 1989. (10) No motor vehicle inspection certificate shall be issued from and after January 1, 1989, for a vehicle on which the windshield or any window of the vehicle has been darkened by the installation of tinted film or by other means, except as authorized under this section. Inspection certificates shall be issued to motor vehicles which have labels affixed pursuant to subsection (8) of this section and to motor vehicles for which a certificate of compliance has been issued by a law enforcement officer of the Department of Public Safety pursuant to subsection (12) of this section. (11) It shall be unlawful for any person to alter or reproduce any label approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety under this section for the purpose of misleading law enforcement officers or motor vehicle inspection stations, or to knowingly use any approved label except as authorized by this section. (12) Motor vehicles which do not have labels affixed pursuant to subsection (8) of this section shall be tested for compliance with the light transmittance requirements of this section by law enforcement officers of the Department of Public Safety. Such tests shall be performed with specially manufactured cards designed for such purpose and issued to officers by the Department of Public Safety. Motor vehicles in compliance shall be issued certificates of compliance in a form prescribed by the Department of Public Safety. (13) Any person violating subsection (9) or (11) of this section, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than three (3) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (14) Any violation of this section other than a violation as described in subsection (13) of this section shall be punishable upon conviction as provided in Section 63-7-7. (15) Violations of this section shall be enforced only by law enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and municipal law enforcement officers of municipalities having a population of two thousand (2,000) or more on the public roads, streets and highways under their jurisdiction. (16) The Department of Public Safety shall initiate a public awareness program designed to inform and educate persons of the provisions of this section. Funds for such public awareness program shall be available through the office of the Governor's representative for highway safety programs. Missouri Chapter 307 Vehicle Equipment Regulations Section 307.173 Vision-reducing material applied to windshield or windows without permit prohibited--penalty--rules, procedure. 307.173. 1.Any person may operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, that has a light transmission of thirty-five percent or more plus or minus three percent and a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent or less plus or minus three percent. Except as provided in subsection 5 of this section, any sun screening device applied to front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver in excess of the requirements of this section shall be prohibited without a permit pursuant to a physician's prescription as described below. A permit to operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, which permits less light transmission and luminous reflectance than allowed under the requirements of this subsection, may be issued by the department of public safety to a person having a serious medical condition which requires the use of a sun screening device if the permittee's physician prescribes its use. The director of the department of public safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the issuance of the permit. The permit shall allow operation of the vehicle by any titleholder or relative within the second degree by consanguinity or affinity, which shall mean a spouse, each grandparent, parent, brother, sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, child, and grandchild of a person, who resides in the household. Except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, all sun screening devices applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle are prohibited. 2. This section shall not prohibit labels, stickers, decalcomania, or informational signs on motor vehicles or the application of tinted or solar screening material to recreational vehicles as defined in section 700.010, RSMo, provided that such material does not interfere with the driver's normal view of the road. This section shall not prohibit factory installed tinted glass, the equivalent replacement thereof or tinting material applied to the upper portion of the motor vehicle's windshield which is normally tinted by the manufacturer of motor vehicle safety glass. 3. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, and, if applicable, section 536.028, RSMo. This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2001, shall be invalid and void. 4. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class C misdemeanor. 5. Any vehicle licensed with a historical license plate shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. Montana 61-9-405. Windshields to be unobstructed and equipped with wipers -- window tinting and sunscreening -- restrictions -- exemptions. (1) A person may not drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle that obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway. (2) The windshield on each motor vehicle must be equipped with a device for clearing rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. (3) Each windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle must be maintained in good working order. (4) A person may not operate a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this state upon a highway if: (a) the windshield has any sunscreening material that is not clear and transparent below the AS-1 line or if it has a sunscreening material that is red, yellow, or amber in color above the AS-1 line; (b) the front side windows have any sunscreening or other transparent material that has a luminous reflectance of more than 35% or has light transmission of less than 24%; (c) the rear window or side windows behind the front seat have sunscreening or other transparent material that has a luminous reflectance of more than 35% or has light transmission of less than 14%, except for the rear window or side windows behind the front seat on a multipurpose vehicle, van, or bus; or (d) the windows of a camper, motor home, pickup cover, slide-in camper, or other motor vehicle do not meet the standards for safety glazing material specified by federal law in 49 CFR 571.205. (5) As used in 61-9-428, 61-9-429, and this section, the following definitions apply: (a) "Camper" means a structure designed to be mounted in the cargo area of a truck or attached to an incomplete vehicle for the purpose of providing shelter for persons. (b) "Glass-plastic glazing material" means a laminate of one or more layers of glass and one or more layers of plastic in which a plastic surface of the glazing faces inward when the glazing is installed in a vehicle. (c) "Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, that is allowed to pass through the sunscreening or transparent material to the amount of total light falling on the motor vehicle window. (d) "Luminous reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, that is reflected outward by the sunscreening or transparent material to the amount of total light falling on the motor vehicle window. (e) "Motor home" means a multipurpose passenger vehicle that provides living accommodations. (f) "Multipurpose vehicle" means a motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer passengers that is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use. (g) "Pickup cover" means a camper having a roof and sides but without a floor designed to be mounted on and removable from the cargo area of a pickup truck by the user. (h) "Slide-in camper" means a camper having a roof, floor, and sides designed to be mounted on and removable from the cargo area of a truck by the user. (i) "Sunscreening material" means a film, material, tint, or device applied to motor vehicle windows for the purpose of reducing the effects of the sun. (6) Except as provided in subsection (7), subsection (4) applies to all vehicles that are equipped with tinted windows, including windows with less than 100% light transmission to which additional sunscreening material has been applied. (7) Subsection (4) does not apply to a multipurpose vehicle that is equipped with tinted windows of the type and specifications that were installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or to any hearse, ambulance, government vehicle, or any other vehicle to which a currently valid certificate of waiver is affixed as specified under 61-9-428. A certificate of waiver must be issued by the department for a vehicle that was registered in this state on October 1, 1991, and was equipped with a sunscreening device or other material prohibited under subsection (4) on October 1, 1991."
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Window Tinting Info
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