California Tint Laws

Tinting your vehicle windows can protect the interior of your car from prying eyes and harmful UV rays. To tint your windows in California, you can tackle the task yourself or hire a professional. Before you make any changes to the tint of your vehicle windows, however, you should understand California window tint laws.

What amount of window tint is legal in California? What amount of window tint isn't legal, and are there exceptions to the CA window tint laws? We've compiled this guide to provide you with all the information you need about window tint laws in the Golden State.

Is Window Tint Legal in CA?

Is window tint legal in California? Many states, including California, permit drivers to add window tint, but there are restrictions on how much you can tint your windows in California.

Requirements for Front Side Windows

The state requires a high VLT of 70% for your front side windows. VLT stands for visible light transmission, meaning the percentage of visible light transmitted through the window or film. This measurement assesses vehicle window tints. Therefore, in California, your front side windows must let in 70% of light.

No state allows fully tinted windshields, though Californa residents can have tints applied to the top of the windshield. California laws allow a tint on the top four inches of the visor, which can help reduce glares to improve your vision.

Requirements for Other Vehicle Windows

Fortunately, California does not have any requirements for the VLT percentage of the rear side windows or the back window. Of course, this also means you will have to apply different tints to your front and back windows.

Rear windows usually come in factory tints in the range of 50 to 70%. At Rvinyl, we offer different roll sizes for window tint so our customers can customize their DIY window tint project.

Understanding Window Tint Percentages

The lower the VLT percentage, the darker the window tint. For example, a 5% tint is much darker than a 70% tint. The following is what you can expect from various tint percentages.

• 5% window tint: You cannot see through a 5% window tint. For most vehicles, this percentage is illegal, though there are some exceptions, such as for limousines.
• 20% window tint: Though it is difficult, you can see through a window with a 20% tint if you are close enough.
• 35% window tint: A 35% window tint gives your window a dark appearance, but you can still see through it easily.
• 50% window tint: A 50% window tint is not very dark at all and blocks just half the light, but it effectively hinders heat, UV rays and glares.

By applying a tint to your windows, you can enjoy various benefits, such as reducing the glare from the sun, preventing interior damage from UV rays, protecting your skin and blocking heat from entering your vehicle on hot, sunny days.

What Are the Exceptions to the Window Tint Laws?

As with many laws, there are a few special cases affecting window tint legislation. For example, many states make exceptions for medical reasons. Specific vehicles may be exempt from window tint laws, such as:

• Ambulances
• Buses
• Hearses
• Limousines

If you have a sensitivity to sunlight and you may face severe health issues due to exposure from UV rays, you may also be able to apply a window tint percentage that is greater than California laws allow. Additionally, window tint can protect you from sunburn, melanoma and skin cancer. You may need to carry a doctor's note while you are in your vehicle, but this will allow you to legally apply a darker window tint in California.

The following are conditions that usually qualify vehicle owners for medical window tints.

• Albinism: This inherited condition refers to the inability of a person's body to produce the right amount of melanin.
• Bloom syndrome: This inherited disorder can cause a rash when the person encounters sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk of cancer for people with Bloom syndrome.
• Cockayne syndrome: This genetic disease can cause photosensitive skin.
• Erythropoietic protoporphyria: This rare genetic disorder causes a person to feel severe pain, itching, swelling and burning sensations with exposure to UV rays.
• Solar urticaria: This condition is sometimes referred to as "sun allergy," as exposure to UV rays can result in chronic hives that are itchy, burn and sting.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: This autoimmune disease causes photosensitivity. Even minor exposure to sunlight can cause rashes and sensations of itching and burning.
• Xeroderma pigmentosum: This inherited condition affects a person's skin and eyes after exposure to UV rays.

Why are there laws governing window tint? You may think because it's your car, you should be able to apply whatever amount of tint you want. However, no matter how much we may like extremely dark window tint, there are risks involved with tinting windows. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists will find it useful to be able to see you behind the steering wheel and know where you're looking. Law enforcement officers also need to be able to identify the driver. California has implemented window tint laws to keep everyone on the road safe.

Rvinyl Is Your Source for All Things DIY Window Tint

Choose us at Rvinyl as your source for all things DIY window tint. When you purchase a precut window tint from us at Rvinyl, you'll be able to enjoy several added benefits. We are the only manufacturer that includes warranties with our DIY kits. We also offer discounted replacement parts for you to purchase if you make a mistake, so you don't have to buy an entirely new kit.

We ship our kits in crush-proof boxes and tubes to ensure they arrive safely. We offer a variety of kit options and tint levels, so you can customize the window tint and our kit to your car. Browse our selection of precut window films to get the window tint you want for your vehicle. Contact us if you have any questions about our products.

*Disclaimer: This information is not provided by legal professionals and is intended only to complement, and not to replace or contradict, any legal advice or information provided by your state or legal professionals. The information covered in this resource does not necessarily reflect those of Rvinyl or its affiliates. If you have any questions, please contact your local state authorities or an attorney or other legal professional.