Florida’s Darkest Allowable Tint – Facts You Must Know

Tint Laws Florida

In Florida, window tint laws have certain exemptions. For instance, if an individual is a certified Florida law enforcement officer, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) employee or a certified medical professional, they can apply for additional exemption from the windshield and front-window tint requirements. However, for the time being, let’s stick to the tint law for the average vehicle owner, which many people find confusing.
Essentially, the law requires that tinted car windows provide at least 28% VLT in vehicles covering the driver’s and passenger’s windows. This regulation is in place for good reason – providing enough visibility for the driver to see the road and objects around them. While newer cars are made of tempered safety glass that is not shatterproof, it can chip or break if it is struck by a road rock or other object. If the driver’s or passenger’s window shatters suddenly, the additional tint can further obstruct their ability to see outside.
Florida Tint Laws can be broken down by the type of vehicle as follows:
• Sedans, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks are subject to specific tint requirements. For these vehicle categories, windshield tint is required to let at least 70% of light through , with a minimum tint density (SAT) of number 30. Tint on the front driver-side and passenger-side windows must be 15%, followed by tint on the back passenger-side and rear windows, which must be at least 6%. Tint is required to allow at least 6% of light through for vans, SUVs and pickup trucks.
• Trucks with a cargo area that is completely covered by a camper shell, or vehicles with factory-installed darkness in the windshield with the same darkness on the front side windows, are both exempt from windshield tint requirements.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (DHSMV) outlines the penalties for illegally tinted windows as follows:
• Driving a vehicle with tint on the front side windows that does not abide by tint rules in the Florida law will result in a moving violation charge, a fine of $115 and three points on the driver’s record.
• Driving a vehicle with tint on the front windshields that does not abide by tint rules in the Florida law will result in a non-moving violation charge, a fine of $84, and no points on the driver’s record.
• Driving a vehicle with window film that is below the AS-1 line will result in a non-moving violation charge, a fine of $84, and no points on the driver’s record.

Why Does Florida Regulate Windows

The laws regulating window tint in Florida are primarily focused on safety, visibility, and protection. First and foremost, the law exists to ensure that all motorists are able to see others clearly at all times. This is essential to avoiding accidents, obtaining an accurate visual of road conditions and surroundings, and of course, avoiding unnecessary traffic violations. Likewise, regulations also exist to provide law enforcement with a clear view of vehicle occupants at all times. If law enforcement cannot see who is inside the vehicle, this can lead to adherence issues and ultimately road safety violations. Finally, window tint regulations exist to prevent interior furniture and upholstery from sun damage. Ultraviolet exposure can be very damaging to leather, plastic and vinyl vehicle parts and if they are not well protected, may be subject to warping, cracking, fading and other problems. Safety and interior protection are undoubtedly the two biggest reasons Florida regulates window tint and why Floridians should pay close attention to maintaining compliance.

Florida’s Darkest Legal Tint

The darkest legal tint in Florida depends on which windows you are talking about. For passenger vehicles, the front windshield has some specific regulations. The front windshield can have no more than 28% tint darkness with a very slight light tint in the top 6 inches. The front passenger windows must have greater than 28% tint darkness. The rear windows on passenger vehicles can have any level of tint darkness.
For trucks, vans and SUVs, the front windshield can have no more than 28% tint darkness with a very slight light tint in the top 6 inches. The front passenger windows must have greater than 28% tint darkness. The rear windows on trucks, vans and SUVs can have any level of tint darkness.
It is important to note that tint darkness is not the same thing as tint reflectivity. Tint reflectivity refers to how much light is reflected off the tint. The front windshield can have no more than 25% tint reflectivity, but there are no restrictions for the front passenger windows, rear windows or the back windshield.

Illegal Tint Penalties

A law enforcement officer will pull you over if he or she thinks your tint is too dark. It is, after all, illegal to have any percentage of tint on a vehicle’s windshield or front side windows if it extends beyond the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches (whatever is taller) of that window.
In an initial, formal stop, the officer will measure the tint using a light meter. If it does not pass the test, a citation will be issued. But, for many reasons, the worst may not be over yet.
Those are the basics of what could happen. Here are some details. You can receive a fine. The law permits the officer to issue a $250 fine.
If you end up in court, the fine could be a little steeper. The law says that you may be required to pay a civil penalty of between $25 and $500. It also says that you may be sentenced to up to 50 hours of community service.
It is possible, however, that you may not have to pay anything. The law says that the court shall waive the penalty if you stop carrying or installing the illegal tint. Additionally, the court shall prescribe an appropriate period of time in which you must comply — but the judge shall also dismiss the charge if you furnish proof that you complied before your case is called to trial.
As such, you may keep the tint if you like, but your options are limited and costly.
You could be subjected to further inspection. In extreme circumstances, you could be made to submit to another inspection, although it may be at your expense . The law provides a brief discussion of tint inspection requirements in the context of a civil penalty.
The court can require you to remove the tint. If you are fined, the court may issue a written order requiring you to immediately remove the tint from the windshield and front side windows. You would then be required to submit proof of the removal to the court.
The law may make for a stiff penalty if you have already been caught. If you are ever caught again and convicted, you could be awarded all of the court costs — in addition to any fines — that you were given in the earlier incident.
Authorizing a vehicle inspection also invites a little more time in the spotlight for any tint that violates the general rules for other kinds of windows in vehicles. Even though those violations are not discussed here, should the tint inspection reveal such violations, the officer will report them as well.
Perhaps the most serious consequence, in many people’s minds, is the possibility of a license suspension. In the event that you are found guilty of a criminal offense involving refusing to submit your vehicle to a legally authorized inspection, or for intentionally concealing the tinted windows, the court will suspend your driver’s license until you have paid all of the required inspections for the window tint following a legitimate law enforcement stop.
The bottom line is that there are options. However, they tend to benefit the person who follows the rules in the first place.

Exemptions, Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Certain exemptions exist to the darkest legal tint, including for medical conditions or specialty vehicles that may require an exception to the darker, tinted windows. Those with a medical condition that causes sensitivity to light, if verified by a medical professional, are permitted an exemption to lighter, tinted windows, making it possible to obtain a legal exemption. Both the driver and any passengers must be authorized for a darker shade of tint, which may include individuals who do not meet the 50 percent tint requirement in backwindshields. The exemption is obtained through the DMV.
Military personnel also may be exempt from tint laws. This includes active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces or those who are part of the Florida National Guard. The exemption can be renewed during active duty through the military if the exemption is still applicable.

Selecting a Legal Window Tint Installer

Finding a reliable window tint provider in Florida is essential for staying within legal limits. Here are a few questions you might want to consider asking before any installation:
What certifications do your window tint professionals have?
Florida does not require individual certification for window tint professionals, but it’s still a good indicator of their knowledge about tinting requirements. Look for Basic Certification Courses for Professional Residential Window Film Dealers conducted by IWFA, the International Window Film Association. Also, check for participation in Safety Films and Window Film Security Qualification Courses.
Do you have up-to-date information about Florida’s state laws concerning window tint?
According to Senate Bill 2712 , all manufacturers, distributors, and dealers in the state of Florida must prominently display a sign or printed statement in their places of business stating that all motor vehicles must be equipped with tinting that meets the requirements of Section 583.001 and rules adopted thereunder. The law also requires that window tint professionals perform a visual inspection of the tinting on every vehicle for which they provide installation and the tinting complies with all requirements of Section 583.001.
How long do warranties on window films last?
The warranties for window films usually range from five to ten years. However, consistent maintenance and frequent washing may void these warranties.