A General Overview of Window Tint Laws in Maryland
In Maryland, window tinting restrictions can be found in § 22-406 of the Transportation Article. The law prohibits window tint above certain levels of Visible Light Transmission (VLT), and all vehicles must have a label certifying compliance with the federal standards. For passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks, the front windshield must have a minimum VLT of 35%, while the rear sides and back glass can have a minimum of 20%. The only other window that has a requirement on this type of vehicle are the front side windows, which can be tinted with any VLT provided that they are a walking billboard and have a letter at least 1 inch high that states "Aftermarket window tinting does not provide strong theft protection or reduce the risk of injury in a crash , and should not be used as a substitute for the vehicle’s strong safety glass." Another pace the sticker is required is on the passenger door window revealing the tint brand, VLT, and percent of tint applied over factory glass. The exception to the rule for these passenger vehicles is whether factory tinted glass was included in the model and make of vehicle. In this case, the 35% VLT required for the front windshield, and 20% for the other pieces of glass wouldn’t apply, instead the factory standard can be applied as long as it is removable without breaking the glass.
Window Tint Percentages That Are Permitted Under Maryland Law
Permitted Tint Percentages for Maryland Vehicles
In general, as long as drivers do not violate Maryland’s legal tint percentage limits, officers do not have any grounds to charge them with having illegal window tint. This means that, legally, drivers may not have to remove tint to avoid getting a ticket. In Maryland, passenger vehicles must have at least 35% VLT on the driver and passenger windows, and the tint on the back windows and rear window can be as dark as the user desires. SUVs, vans and trucks may place only five (5) percent of light transmission through the tint on those windows. All vehicles have a 7% tint limit on the window in the rear seat aid. Some states do permit use of tinted windows or other features not required by law, but in Maryland, violators are ticketed for these; there are no exceptions because these are not medically necessary. Vehicle drivers may not use any film with a substantially reflectance factor that is more than 35%. Some states do permit using these, but Maryland does not, regardless of whether the use is medical or aesthetic.
What Consequences Do You Face If You Violate the Window Tint Law?
Although the severity of the penalties associated with violating window tint laws varies by state, Maryland’s penalties are generally aligned with those found in other states across the nation. If you are found to be driving in the state of Maryland with non-compliant window tints and you have not yet received a citation for your "tint" offense during the prior five-year period, the officer is likely to issue only a warning or $50 fine.
However, if you already have a citation for a "window" or "tint" violation within the prior five-year period, the likelihood that the officer will issue more than just a warning for your second offense increases. In fact, second and third offenses can result in fines of $100 and $400 respectively. Repeated convictions for such violations may result in the suspension of your vehicle’s registration.
In a state like Maryland, where police officers are instructed to first issue warnings during the first five years of a driver’s record, as opposed to issuing fines that tend to increase as the driver’s record progresses, the repeated issuance of such citations (and responsiveness to such citations) appears to rebut the reluctance of many states to limit the use of window tinting films for aesthetic (rather than medicinal) purposes. This problem is further compounded by the fact that window tinting is considered to be a safety risk that creates visibility problems which can lead to an increased risk of driver error.
Advantages of Operating With Legal Window Tints
Benefits of Legal Window Tints in Maryland
Adhering to Maryland’s legal window tint limits has its advantages. For instance, window tint reduces the risk of the sun’s glare interfering with your view, which can make for a safer driving experience. While the tint can limit the amount of sunlight that reaches your skin as well, it is not a complete safeguard against ultraviolet rays. The tint will protect you from the sun’s punishing heat, which may be a relief on especially harsh and sunny days.
Common Sense
While it may seem reasonable to assume that this is common sense, not everyone realizes that legal tints actually reduce glare and keep the vehicle’s interior cooler. Even on a mildly sunny day, they can help you avoid squinting your eyes, which can distract your attention away from the road ahead. Furthermore, by reducing the sun’s heat on the dashboard, you may be less likely to get distracted by reflective surfaces such as electronic screens, mirrors, and any other shiny parts inside your car.
Skin Protection
Legal window tints reduce the risk of sun damage to the delicate skin on your face and even your arms when they are resting on the window sill. But even more important than protecting your skin, they can also reduce the risk of skin cancer caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. A study conducted a few years ago suggests that truck drivers are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer on their left side because the driver’s side is directly exposed to sunlight.
Heat Protection
Moreover, the tint will lower the temperature of the vehicle’s interior and make you and your passengers more comfortable during the summertime. It may also prevent your furniture and other possessions from fading too quickly if they are located near windows.
Exemptions and Exceptions
Exceptions and exemptions to the tint laws in Maryland include, but are not limited to, medical exceptions for the driver only. In order to receive the exception sticker the driver must obtain a certification letter from an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician. When medical or other exemptions are sought for any window other than the windshield, Maryland does not give express guidance as to the documentation that is required.
However, if the driver and/or passenger(s) seeks an exemption to any tint law that finds its source in Maryland Code Annotated Transportation § 22-412 . 3(b), which states that "a motor vehicle may not have tinted glass that permits less than 35% of light to pass through all of the tinted windows to the rear of the driver’s seat," then the vehicle owner need only provide to a Maryland State Police officer a statement of exclusion for use in emergency situations. The exclusion statement states "By my signature below, I hereby declare under the penalty of perjury, that I have been excluded from the rear seat of this vehicle by letter issued by the Maryland State Police."
How to Comply
To ensure compliance with the legal tint laws in Maryland, vehicle owners can take several practical steps to test their window tint and determine whether it meets the state requirements. One of the easiest methods for checking window tint is to use a tint meter, which is a device that measures the amount of light that passes through the window tint. These meters are widely available from automotive accessory retailers or online, and many tint shops will also have them on hand to provide an immediate reading. When using a tint meter, the vehicle owner will hold the meter up to the window in question and activate the light meter to receive an automatic reading.
If a tint meter is not readily available, then there is another method that may be used by the vehicle owner. The simplest solution is to roll down the window in question and check by eye if the tint appears to match the requirements for legal compliance. However, this method is not always easy for the front windshield due to its position on the vehicle. In this case, the easiest test may be to open the door and place a white piece of paper along the edge of the window. If the paper looks dark when positioned up against the window, then it is likely the tint is too dark to meet State of Maryland requirements.
If the tint appears to be too dark by these measurements, it is important to remember that a professional tint shop can easily resolve the problem by replacing the offending window film. For vehicles that already have legal tint, using a tint meter at car washes and service stations can help maintain compliance over time, as well as save drivers a fine.
FAQs
Here are some answers to some of the most common questions I am asked regarding this issue:
Q: I have very dark tint and was pulled over, but the officer just told me to get it fixed. Does that mean I don’t have to get it fixed?
A: No. You still must get the tint removed, even if the officer did not issue a warning or a citation. Officers often make judgment calls when they pull someone over for window tint. They may determine that the issue does not need to be addressed at the time because the tint is only illegal in one or two windows or was not so dark as to impede visibility.
Q: My tint is darker than the law allows, but I have a medical exemption. Doesn’t that mean I can have it as dark as I want?
A: No. The medical exemption allows you an exemption from the limit of the darkness of tint on the front windshield and front two windows , but the law still mandates that some light must be allowed through all windows. There is no "special permission" to have those windows tinted completely dark. A person with an exemption is still responsible for ensuring their vehicle complies with the law.
Q: How is the tint measured and what happens if my tint is too dark?
A: Law enforcement uses a device to measure the tint. It uses a beam of light that shines perpendicular to the window and gauges the amount of light that is allowed through and the amount that is trapped. If the tint only allows in the proper amount of light, then the tint is legal. If not, the tint must be removed. The tint must be removed within a reasonable amount of time, which usually means 10-14 days.
Q: I had shops install the tint according to the law. Can I be liable if the tint was incorrectly installed anyway?
A: A car owner is ultimately responsible for the tint on their car, but if the shop is installing it in your presence and you approve it, you could all be liable. It is best to have the shop record the tint percentages on your receipt or let you know that the tint has been properly installed before you leave the facility.