Tint Laws in NJ Explained
NJ tint law is simple, but strict. As a general rule of thumb all vehicles must keep a minimum standard of tint at all times. However, exemptions are granted to tint legally obtained before 1/1/2011. So, if for example you just purchased a used vehicle and it contains tint that is darker than the law allows, you can keep it legally as long as the tint was legitimately added prior to 2011.
All vehicles are as follow:
The front windshield must not have more than 6 inches of tint on top. The windshield cannot be tinted in any other area and the tint cannot be reflective.
The front driver side and passenger side windows cannot be tinted anything beyond a 70% VLT. The glass tint cannot be reflective on any windows on the sides.
All windows on the rear-seating row of a motor vehicle can be tinted at 50% VLT or higher. The glass tint must be darker than the factory issued tint , but not more than five times the darkness of factory tint.
Vehicles in the commercial category (buses, taxis, etc.) must have tint at no more than 70% VLT on the front windows and no more than 50% VLT on the rear windows. Like the other vehicles mentioned, the tint must not be reflective.
The above rule sets are the general guidelines for window tinting in the state of New Jersey. However, there are additional regulations that govern tinting of SUVs, vans, and even RVs. To avoid being in violation of the NJ tint law ensure you understand the limits of visibility prior to adding dark tint to any of your windows.
The Reason of Tint Limits
Understanding NJ Legal Tint Limits: A Guide for Drivers
Legal tint limits exist for several reasons. There are a number of safety and security concerns that the state seeks to address. Further, there are a number of law enforcement officers that need to be able to see whether or not you have your seatbelt on, or if you are driving while smoking marijuana or even using a cell phone while driving. In conjunction, with some drivers, they simply do not care about the health or safety of those in the vehicle or even on the road. They drive with their tints darker than the legal limit, and if they get pulled over, call the cop what they really think, and then refuse to cooperate with police. These law enforcement professionals have a dangerous job as is, and their job becomes ten times more hazardous when officers are confronted with uncooperative drivers. Multiply that danger by however many traffic stops officers perform in one day, and it is easy to understand why the state mandates certain requirements regarding window tint for vehicles.
Window Tint Laws for Cars
In New Jersey, the tint percentage allowed for a car’s front windows is one of the most restrictive in the nation. The law states that your tint must allow at least 70% of outside light to penetrate (known as a "70 percent VLT" or "visible light transmission"). In layman’s terms, this means that any tint which is "lightly tinted" (or lighter) is permitted for front windows.
The only exemption to this rule is for those who use glasses or contacts with darkened tint: this means you can have your prescription glasses tinted to the point where they allow less than 30 percent of outside light to pass through if your eyesight would otherwise be impeded.
Any tint on the front windows of a car must not have a tint darker than 50 percent. The 50 percent number refers to the degree with which the tint restricts outside visibility.
The tint rule for car side windows is slightly more convoluted. There are two main exceptions, both of which apply to vans, buses, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). First, any car manufactured prior to 1986, in which a window film tint has already been added, is allowed to retain that tint with no restrictions on visibility. Second, if the vehicle’s window is manufactured by having a colored glass, no tint can be added to this tinted glass. However, you can add window tint to all other glass if you follow the regulations more leniently applied to sedans (see above).
The tint rule for rear windows on cars in New Jersey is far laxer than for the front and side windows. It allows for total blackout of any tinted film, meaning that you are free to have film over the rear windows which completely precludes outside visibility.
Exceptions to New Jersey Car Tint Laws
While there is a presumption that window tint that does not comply with the window tint law is illegal, there are some exemptions. The law generally makes exceptions for the following:
The law allows a driver to use the tinted windows on his or her vehicle where: the tint is added after initial manufacture; the tint complies with state law; and a certificate of compliance has been issued from the manufacturer or dealer. The nonrefundable application fee for a certificate of compliance is $55.
The law also provides an exemption for tinted windows added to vehicles or trailers used in interstate commerce. Consequently, tint laws do not apply to a vehicle or trailer operated in interstate commerce if the tint complies with federal law rather than state law and is certified by the manufacturer or dealer.
The same exemption applies to the windows tinting on buses and trucks, provided that the tinting does not conform to the state law for tinted windows.
A person claiming a protection under the medical exemption provision of the tinted window law must be able to verify the condition that led to the exemption. This is due to the presumption under this law that window tint that does not comply with the window tint law is illegal. For example, medical professionals will sometimes draft a letter to confirm the medical condition that led to the tint.
Additional facts about the medical exemption include:
A certificate of exemption is valid only while the person suffering from a covered condition is the registered owner of or operator of the vehicle in which the tinted window is installed. A certificate is valid for five years unless the window tint is removed before then or the person no longer suffers from the condition requiring the exemption.
The law does not specify what the amount of tint that may be included under the medical exemption. The law makes an exception for compliance with any state or federal law that regulates the color, type or level of tint that may be included.
New Jersey Tint Fines & Penalties
When it comes to legal tint limits on vehicle windows in NJ, it is wise to respect the law and not try to test the limits. If the law sees that you have dark tint – far darker than permitted – they have the right to pull you over and issue you a ticket. If you are pulled over for this reason, a police officer may record the tint level on their device and if it is too dark, you could be penalized with a fine.
In addition to any fine, the officer may ask you to remove the window film and replace it with a legal tint. This is often mandatory. In some cases, an officer will actually remove the tint from the window with their own hands. If they do, you likely will be forced to pay damages for the harm caused to other windows. This is rarely the case and most cops are good enough to not break the driver’s car. But a driver may be asked to pay for the damages in out-of-court settlements .
Sometimes, if the tint is not illegal but too dark (and it contributes to unsafe driving conditions), the officer may allow you to hold on to the tint, but issue you a ticket. The fine for illegal window tinting in NJ is usually $100-$250 for the first violation, but depends on the specific town. The fee can increase to $500 or more if you have multiple offenses. Fines actually increase to $500 for a commercial vehicle, with subsequent fines reaching up to $10,000.
If there is a problem with your window tint and you get pulled over, it is likely that officer will allow you to see the light meter before they write you a ticket. This is fair. You deserve to see for yourself where the problem is, and then remove the tint, or schedule a time within a week or two to have it replaced. The officer likely will also tell you to remove the tint even if you feel there is nothing wrong. This is because the officer is unsure if the tint met the requirements of the tint sticker and would prefer err on the side of caution.
Tips for Legal Tinting
For New Jersey drivers, maintaining a vehicle that is tinted in accordance with state law is an absolute necessity. The following tips for compliant tinting will help keep your car or truck street legal while still looking stylish. Work with a professional. When it comes to auto window tinting, this is one area where leaving it to the pros is a great idea. Professional tint shops in New Jersey will have the experience and the equipment necessary to apply your window tint quickly and in a way that meets all legal tint limits. Choose dyed film. Higher-end passenger vehicles are often factory tinted, but that tint may be lower quality than you might expect. The tint applied at the factory is typically a dyed film. For those concerned about conforming to New Jersey laws and regulations, choosing dyed tint for your vehicle is likely to be the best option. Use ceramic tint. Another great option for window tint is ceramic tint. The quality materials and techniques used in ceramic tint will not only match the lower legal tint limits but will also stand the test of time. Many drivers also appreciate the extra look of such tint, which also makes it a popular choice. Ask about warranty. Beyond tint limits, any reputable tint shop will have a warranty or guarantee on their workmanship. If something goes wrong with your tint down the line, a reputable shop with a warranty will ease your worries and provide peace of mind. Don’t settle for less. When you’re shopping for auto window tint and tint installation services, always choose a company that can offer you the value that you seek. Straightforward pricing, a clean, protected environment for tint installation, positive reviews, and a great warranty will help you choose the best. Apply tint at installation. While it would be great to have all of your windows tinted from the factory, that’s not the case with most vehicles in the United States. Instead, drivers have to make a choice about when to have their tint applied. In New Jersey, the best course of action is to have your tint done at the same time you’re having your vehicle serviced or repaired. That way, the windows aren’t rolled down too soon and there isn’t any interference from the elements.
Future Tint Law Changes
There has actually been some debate about imposing tougher regulations on the details of what can be done to a vehicle in New Jersey. The issue of window tinting continues to be discussed, as law enforcement is concerned with its ability to spot illegal tinting. Furthermore, it is difficult for them to distinguish whether a car’s windows are tinted or just dirty, which is why some are calling for tighter laws. As part of a future update on tint laws in New Jersey , it’s possible that we could see some discussion about allowing law enforcement officers to use visual tint meters to check windows for legal tints without having to require the car to come to a stop (similar to how drivers are checked for DUI by police officers not using a breathalyzer).
We will have to wait and see if any such changes to NJ tint laws take place in the near future.