As temperatures climb this summer, California drivers may be searching for ways to keep cool during long commutes.
One option is window tinting, as it can help reduce heat and glare inside a vehicle.
But before scheduling an installation (or trying it yourself), it’s important to understand California law, which limits where and how window tint can be applied.
Here’s what California drivers should know about the state’s window-tinting rules.
What is window tinting, how is it measured?
“Car window tinting darkens the surface of the glass,” Wawanesa Insurance says.
Some benefits of tinting car windows can include keeping cool, UV protection, and increased privacy, according to the insurance company.
Tint is measured by visible light transmission, or VLT, which is the percentage of “how much visible light passes through the tint,” the company says.
How dark can window tint be in California?
While California law permits dark tint on most rear windows, it restricts tint on the windshield and front side windows.
Here’s a breakdown of tinting restrictions for each window:
California law does permit medical exemptions for window tinting. Drivers with a medical exemption must carry documentation from a licensed medical provider confirming that the tint or sun-screening device is medically necessary.
What is the penalty for breaking California’s window tint law?
For a first offense, drivers will likely receive a “fix-it” ticket with a $25 fine and a deadline to remove or adjust the tint, according to Prestige Law Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers. Once the tint is corrected, drivers must show proof of compliance to avoid further issues.
If a driver does not heed the ticket or gets caught doing it again, penalties can include the following, according to the lawyers:
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: How dark can your car windows be in California? What state law permits
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
