Georgia Tint Laws Summary
The state of Georgia has laid out various regulations for owners that wish to apply aftermarket window tint on their vehicles. These laws can be somewhat hard to navigate if you are not familiar with some of the automobile industry’s terminology, or you may still not know whether you meet the legal requirements for having windows tinted. This is particularly an issue for those who drive for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft.
The tint laws for passenger vehicles in Georgia generally state that the windshields must have a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or the top 6 inches, whichever is higher. The front windows must have no more than 32% tint. For vehicles with 2 side windows in the rear, there are no tint limits, barring some restrictions on reflectivity and opacity. However, for vehicles that have a 4 door, there can be no more than 32% tint on the 2 front doors. Back doors can be any shade, as mentioned before with the two rear doors. The back doors must have no more then 6% reflectivity and the front and rear are required to have no more than 5% reflectivity. The rear window must have a tint level of 12% or less. Continuing the pattern, the passenger vehicle must have no less than 12% tint on the rear window and the driver window, along with the front and rear doors . The front windshield can have no more than 6% tint, and at least a 12" cutout that will allow the driver’s visibility when the sun is low. The tint may not have a reflective coating above the film that is over the AS-1 line, or anything along that line.
On large vans and SUVs, the laws are similar to those for the passenger vehicle. The rear window on the SUV must have no more than 12% tint, and it must have an opacity above 10%. The rear window is required to have no more than 12% tint, and again, it cannot have a reflective coating over the AS-1 line. The sides are very much the same too, but this time, the tint must not have a light transmittance above 39%. The mirror finish can only reflect 30% of light, or have a 30% tint.
Some professional terms that are important to know include opacity, reflection, and wavelength. When the laws speak of opacity, they are referring to the visible tint of the window, or how well the driver can see through the window. Transit is another term you might see cross the page, which refers to the amount of light that is allowed to pass through. A vanishing point is also referenced through these laws, which means the point at which the tint can no longer be seen or measured. Wavelength is the term used to refer to the range of wavelengths that are used to measure the tint.
Tint Restrictions By Window Position
Georgia has specific legal tint limits for every window of a vehicle except the rear windshield and rear passenger windows. The law also provides for a "unmarked law enforcement vehicle" exception to the tint limits.
For the front windshield, any tinting is allowed in Georgia, as long as it does not encroach on the driver’s view to the point of becoming a hazard. If visible light transmission is reduced to the point of potentially obstructing view out the front of the vehicle, the tint will be illegal.
The law requires that the tint when used on the front side windows be "light transmitted through the window glass shall not be less than thirty-five percent."
For the rear side windows, the law does not require any minimum percentage of light transmission: "The use of tinted window is allowed."
These same limits apply to each window window on the opposite side of the vehicle.
Here is the law on the back windshield or rear windshield: "The window glass on the rear compartment windows of the vehicle shall be tinted as allowed in Code Section 40-8-73."
The related statute goes on to provide: "A law enforcement officer shall not stop a person for having tinted window glass so long as it is clearly labeled with a sticker showing that the tint is legal," and "Obstructing Vehicle Windows, for Visible Tilt Film."
This means that a law enforcement officer cannot "stop" you — meaning issue a ticket — for having a tint that is NOT otherwise prohibited by law.
Here is the relevant language from the statute: "Except as provided in subsection (c) of Code Section 40-8-73, it shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, or install tinted window glass on any motor vehicle to be operated on public highways in this state unless such tinted window glass has been labeled with a sticker showing that the tint is legal."
Exemptions To The Georgia Window Tint Law
Like many states, Georgia tint laws do not cover all vehicles. Medical exemptions exist for people with certain medical conditions that can only function if the sun’s light is at least partially blocked. If you’re one of these people, you’ll need to ask a specialist to give you a letter supporting your exemption. The letter must specify which windows can be tinted.
If you have a medical condition that would require tint, the doctor will have to write a letter based on your need to have tinted windows. Generally, the letter must be on the doctor’s letterhead and will need to list exactly which windows may be tinted. The law prohibits tint on the windshield, but the letter may allow tint only on the front two windows (or even all four). Keep in mind that this letter should not be the only form of medical documentation about your condition. If you ever get pulled over for your tint, you will likely still have to submit to a window test, so come prepared with the right documentation.
Another category exempt from tints are trucks and vans. They are exempt from having the entire windshield tinted. The tint rules for these vehicles are designed to provide safety from the elements in Georgia with rules that vary from those of other states, such as California. No tint can be used on the windshield, but the side windows can be tinted. You can apply this tint to keep harmful beams from the sun off your face and to lighten the interior.
Most importantly, you should remember that the law in Georgia is subject to change. Check the Georgia vehicle tint laws for periodic changes. Although police are not permitted to stop a person who has a Medical Exempt sticker, it may still occur. If this happens, provide the sticker to avoid further conflict.
Penalties For Illegally Tinted Windows
If you are found to be in violation of the tint laws in Georgia, you can face several legal penalties. The most common penalty is a fine, which can range from $25 up to $1,000 depending on the severity of the tint violation. However, the fines can vary by jurisdiction and it is important to check with your local law enforcement agency to determine the exact amount of the fine. In addition to fines, you may also be required to have the tint removed and replaced with a compliant tint at your own expense. Failure to have the tint removed can result in additional fines and even a court appearance. Non-compliance can also have an impact on your car insurance. If you are pulled over for having non-compliant tint , your insurance company may raise your premiums or even drop your coverage altogether. This is because insurance companies view non-compliance as an indication that you are a riskier driver who is more likely to be involved in an accident. In conclusion, the legal penalties for failing to comply with the legal tint limits for your vehicle in Georgia can be steep, both in terms of fines and the potential negative impact on your car insurance premiums. To avoid any unnecessary stress or costs, it is important to make sure that you have compliant tint on your vehicle.
Comparison With Tint Laws In Other States
Georgia’s legal tint restrictions are similar in many ways with the laws of North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Slight differences between each neighboring state may require careful review of laws for tint compliance.
Like Georgia, Alabama permits tinted windows at a light transmittance level of 32% on the front windshield with a 6 inch lower band of tint allowed above the AS1 line of the windshield. All other windows, with the exception of the windshield, must conform to the rear side and rear window tinting limit of 20%.
In neighboring Louisiana, tint of 40% is allowed on the front windshield with a 6 inch tinted strip allowed on the top. The side and rear window tint is restricted to a minimum of 20%, with no more than 25% allowed.
License plates issued by the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi are provided with a technical spec sheet, which must be presented to law enforcement officers upon request. During a traffic stop, the spec sheet will identify the allowed percentage of tint to confirm that a vehicle’s tint complies with the law. Georgia does not issue such a technical spec sheet.
North Carolina mirrors the window tint laws of Georgia. However, in Texas, a vehicle may be tinted at 25% or more on the front windshield, with a 5 inch strip allowed at the top of the glass.
The laws of Tennessee concerning the use of tint on motor vehicle windows appear to be similar to Georgia’s tint restrictions. The visibility through the tinted window must be 30% of more, with the exception that tint can be applied to the rear glass to an opacity of 20% or more.
The laws of Kentucky are also similar to the window tint laws of Georgia. In Mississippi, both the front windshield and the front driver and passenger side windows are limited to a tint of 28% or more. In Mississippi, the tint of the rear window may be lowered to 9%. In Florida, the front window tint limit is 28%, and 15% on the rear windows. In Alabama tinted windows must be at 32% on the front windshield and 20% on the back window.
Some states, like Alabama, do not provide for a CHMSL exemption; however, most state tint laws contain exceptions to the darker tint on light transmittance percentage for striping or graphics. The tint laws of some states will allow for a lower window tint percentage, primarily on the drivers and passenger side windows, if the tint is manufactured with no less than 43% light transmittance.
In North Carolina, tinted windows at the side must meet a maximum allowable window film total solar reflectance capacity limit, which prohibits reflective films. South Carolina prohibits tinted windows which have a total solar reflectance capacity of more than 20% for all vehicles. Virginia prohibits tinted windows at a total solar reflectance capacity of 50% on the vehicles of all persons. Virginia provides for an exception to this prohibition for vehicles whose owners are "schizophrenic or bi-polar" or who suffers from a medical condition which light may impose a threat to the health and safety for the individual.
Tips For Tinting Your Vehicle Lawfully
To ensure compliance with Georgia’s window tint laws, car owners should follow some practical advice. First, they should be aware of the limitations as outlined in the previous sections of this post. Being familiar with the legal side of window tint in Georgia helps car owners make informed decisions about purchasing and maintaining their vehicles.
Secondly, it is highly recommended that vehicle owners utilize certified professionals for installing window tinting. A professional service will know the rules and limitations, and will be able to install window tint that complies with the law. Further, warranty and repair services are generally only available from certified services, since certified tinting professionals use high-quality products and application methods and can offer a warranty on their work. The seals that certified professionals use are generally more durable than those used by non-certified companies .
It is important for vehicle owners to document their major window tinting endeavors. For example, when a new car is purchased, the dealership should be able to provide documentation on the tint that was used in the manufacture of the vehicle. But when replacing broken windows or having tint reapplied after an accident, vehicle owners should ask for any documents available to verify that their windows are in accordance with Georgia’s laws and limitations. Keeping these records on file may save significant time and money should the vehicle owner be pulled over for not having the correct level of tint.
Finally, vehicle owners should do their research before purchasing window tint. Not all tint is created equal, no matter how the advertisements may sound. Investing a little extra time on the internet to read reviews and visit multiple tinting websites may save vehicle owners considerable grief in the long run.
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