Arizona Window Tint Limit: What is it?
The legal tint limit in Arizona for passenger cars is 33% or any tint darkness that transmits 33% or more of light. For vans and SUVs, the visible light transmission for the side and rear windows must not be less than 33%. When a film is applied to the windshield, it must not be darker than 33%. For "step vans" where the windshield is less than the standard width, the panes on either side of the windshield must allow 33% of light transmittance or more and the panes can only be tinted with a transparent film. However, for these types of vehicles, the tinted films may be tinted darker than 33% but must not be darker than the rear and side windows. All other types are vehicles are required to have display a sticker affirming that the window film complies with state law. Vehicles not equipped with a sticker as required by law will be considered noncompliant. In Arizona, the use of reflective tint is prohibited. As such , all windows if covered by sheets or other materials, must allow not less than 33% of light transmittance. In addition, all tinted rear and side windows must allow 10% or more of light transmittance while the upper eight inches of any windshield may be covered by tinted film of any reflectivity as well. In addition, any such tint on the windshield must also meet the state’s 33% VLT requirement and an SAE sticker in the lower corner of the driver’s side windshield must be affixed. Although there are no law enforcement shops across the state that are equipped to measure the tint, each tint manufacturer must provide a Certificate of Compliance along with an affidavit stating that their tint is within the allowable limits, and must include the tint percentage VLT and that it meets ASTM No. 1040 standards. This certificate or affidavit can then be presented to law enforcement if ever stopped.
How Darkness is Determined
Tint darkness is measured by the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage of light that is allowed through the tint film and your window. The darker the tint film the less VLT and accordingly the percentage of light allowed through the window. For example if a tint film is a 5% then only 5% of light is allowed through to your window and the other 95% is blocked, which in essence does not allow much light at all. Conversely a tint film that is a 75% would still allow 75% of light through your window while blocking only 25% of light. The percentage of light allowed through windows is strictly regulated in Arizona and constitutes the basis for lawful tinting. For vehicles registered as passenger vehicles, Arizona law provides that the windshield can be tinted to a visible light transmission (VLT) of no less than 35%. For the front passenger and driver windows, the visible light transmission must be no less than 33%. Tint applied to the rear passenger and/or driver windows of passenger vehicles are permitted subject to the VLT standard of 33%, as well as an overall reflectivity standard of no more than 20%. Although Arizona law does set a minimum VLT standard of 33% for all but the rear seat passenger windows, neither do Arizona nor federal law impose any restrictions regarding the degree of tint darkness permitted for those rear passenger windows. Therefore, tinted window with a VLT of 5% or no more than 20% reflectivity may still be used on rear passenger windows. For vehicles registered as trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, vans and buses, the visible light transmission for the windshield is likewise permitted at no less than 35%. However, unlike passenger vehicles, light transmission on the front passenger and driver windows for trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, vans and buses is not required to be no less than 33%. In other words, those vehicles can have a VLT of less than 33%. Likewise, the only restriction on tint for the rear passenger windows of trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, vans and buses is an overall reflectivity standard of no more than 20%. Otherwise no other restrictions apply to the tint darkness of the rear passenger windows of such motor vehicles. As stated above, because rear passenger windows are not required to comply with Arizona’s standard of 33% for the front passenger and driver windows, they are not subject to the two-percent error that might otherwise be found on a tint measurement from the manufacturer’s sticker found on the film’s packaging which is included in the installation of the film itself. In short, all tint for the front passenger and driver windows of all cars are strictly regulated to contain no more than a 33% tint darkness while the only general restrictions on tint darkness that apply to trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, vans, and buses, apply only to the rear windows of those motor vehicles and are limited to an overall reflectivity standard of no more than 20%.
Arizona Window Tint Laws by Type of Vehicle
Arizona’s tint laws apply differently to sedans, SUVs, and vans. You should know the law to avoid running afoul of the law and being forced to rip off your tint, which is likely to cost you around $200 and at least two hours of your time.
There are only two vehicle types that are exempt from the tint requirements: those with commercial plates and those designated by the Department of Transportation as motor homes (a.k.a. RVs).
The tint regulations for Arizona vehicles fall into three categories: sedans, SUV’s, and vans (SUV’s and vans may also include those vehicles registered as trucks).
For sedans, tinting is allowed on the side and back windows. The tint must have a minimum VLT of 33% (i.e. 33% tint) to be legal – but beware: the rule changes for aftermarket tint. It allows for only a 50% tint. You may however tint your windshield with a "strip" running horizontally at the top of the windshield. The strip may not extend into the driver’s field of view more than four inches from the top of the windshield and the tint must have a 33% VLT.
SUV’s and vans are allowed to be tinted on all rear side and back windows regardless of the VLT, which means up to 100%. However, the windshield needs to have a strip at the top with no more than four inches of tint. In a recent case, a lady was forced to spend $200 and at least two hours of her time removing a 35% tint on the windshield because the tint was illegally dark. Although the tint was not in the driver’s field of vision, it was measured and ruled illegal because it was too dark. The tint on the windshield had to be 33% rather than the 35% tint that it was – so if you tint your windshield, stay with 33% tint. Any window other than the windshield can legally be tinted to the max, 100%.
The windshield on vans, SUV’s, and trucks also may not have any tint if the windows on the vehicle are factory-tinted. This means the rear side and back windows can be tinted 100% – but not the windshield. However, even if the windows are factory tinted, which is how most full-sized pickup trucks come now, the windshield is required to have a 33% tint or less. The tint on the windshield has to allow at least 33% of the light to pass through, or in other words, not more than 67% of the light can be blocked.
Penalties for Tint Laws Violation
In addition to your vehicle being flagged by law enforcement for having illegal window tints, there are other consequences you should consider if you violate the tint laws. Those in violation will be subject to a fine of $50.00 per window for tinted windows with less than 33% VLT. If the windows have VLTs less than 10% the citation can be upwards of $250.00. Those in violation of the tint law will continue to be liable to pay the fine for EVERY violation.
So, if you have 5 windows in your vehicle and are found to have less than 10% VLT on each you could wind up having to pay $1250.00 for the citation while driving with illegal window tints. For individuals that have repeated violations this penalty can become substantial. That’s not including the expense it costs to remove the tints or install new tints.
Exceptions to Window Tint Law in Arizona
While exceptions are rare, there are a few exemptions to Arizona’s strict window tint laws. The most common exemption is for those who have been diagnosed with a medical condition which requires more protection than the law ordinarily allows. These medical conditions include but are not limited to: light sensitivity, skin cancer or other ailments that mean the skin too easily burns; certain genetic conditions can cause excessive pigmentation and require the use of darker protection on the eyes.
When these conditions are present , some medical exemptions allow the window film to be no more than 30% light transmittance on the front side and rear side windows and up to 5% on the smallest strip of glass along the top of the windshield. The rear window can be tinted to any darkness.
Having a medical condition which qualifies you for an exemption does not mean you are off the hook, however. You need to provide your medical professional with the state approved form to certify your condition. Completing and signing this document does not automatically waive the tint laws for you. It is your responsibility to pass the proper paperwork from your doctor along to your vehicle’s windows technician before installation. The installer has the right to refuse to install a darker tint if you are not able to provide them with the exemption certificate when asked.
Helpful Tips to Choose Legal Window Tint
When it comes to selecting window tint that adheres to Arizona’s legal requirements, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should focus on both the quality of the tint products you choose and the reliability of the application services you utilize.
Invest in the Right Products
The first rule of window tinting is to be aware that not all window tinting products are created equal, and the price isn’t always the best indicator of quality. From dyed and sputtered products to those containing carbon or metal, these are all considerations when selecting a product that meets your needs and stays within the law. The key is to focus more on quality than on price in order to avoid getting burnt by inferior window tinting materials.
Another important thing to understand is the difference between VLT and VLR. VLT (visible light transmission) is a measurement of the amount of visible light permitted through the films or laminate. The lower the VLT percentage, the less visible light will pass through. The result will be darker looking windows.
On the other hand, VLR (visible light reflection) is a measurement of the amount of visible light that is reflected by the film or laminate. A higher percentage measurement of VLR will result in a mirror-like appearance.
In order to avoid confusion and ensure you are purchasing window tint product that complies with all Arizona regulations, it’s important to be aware not only of the differentiation between VLT and VLR, but also the specific requirements for all windows of passenger vehicles.
Choose a Reliable Installer
Just like you shouldn’t choose a window tint product just because it has a low price, you also shouldn’t settle for an installer based solely on price. In fact, when looking for a window tinting company, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes a professional installation job and what doesn’t.
A professional installer will have no problem showing you their window tinting certifications, which they will need to have to legally tint motor vehicle windows in Arizona. Look for an installer that is certified in the following:
•IR Certification (Infrared Rejection)
•VLT Certification (Visible Light Transmission)
•ER Certification (Infrared Emissivity)
•TSER Certification (Total Solar Energy Rejected)
By getting products that conform to all of Arizona’s window tint requirements and ensuring that your installer is certified, you can legally and safely enjoy all of the benefits window tinting has to offer.
How to Check if Tint Meets Arizona Law
Before hitting the road, it is essential that drivers check whether or not their tint is legal in the state of Arizona. If you have applied a film tint to your windows, then your vehicle may contain non-compliant tint. It is important that you follow all Arizona tint laws and verify the tint level before driving to avoid a traffic stop and possible fines. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to ensure your window tint is legal. Portable Spectrophotometers: You can take your vehicle to a testing facility and if the tint on your film meets the requirements, then your tint is good to go. A spectrophotometer will take readings and determine if you meet the Arizona tint laws. Measurement Methods Using 8-Inch Square Patch: While you may be used to saw cuts of 20/20/20 and 35/24/35, as tint technology has evolved, so too has the way in which tint is measured. The 8-inch square patch method is more reliable as it features a computer that takes into account the entire window. It has also been the standard in a few other states . To begin, you should place an 8-inch square patch in each of the four corners of the window so that the patch is at least slightly on the glass and slightly off of the glass. This allows the machine to get a true reading of the tint on your window. In Arizona, you can place each patch at a specific angle to reduce parallax error in the readings. When you run the test, the machine will give you an average of the tint for the window. Visually: You can also verify that your window tint meets the Arizona tint laws in person. You should park the car and go and look at it from a reasonable distance away to see if you can see clearly into the vehicle through the tint. You should also be able to see things like your arm or any other person in the vehicle clearly. You do not want it to be completely dark as that can be hard to see or drive with. If you cannot tell, then the tint is not legal. Whatever method you use, before driving your vehicle, it is important to verify the tint on your vehicle’s window meets legal Arizona standards. It is not only common sense, but it is also the law.