State Laws on Window Tinting in Alaska
Window Tint Darkness in Alaska
The Alaska Factory Window Tint Law states that cars may not be tinted darker than 70% (or 30% visible light transmission). This means that 30% or less of the available light may be blocked by the combined film and factory tint. If your vehicle has a darker factory tint you can have your window tinting applied in a manner that will not make the darkness any darker than is legally permitted.
The front side windows must let in over 70% of the available light, meaning they must have a light transmittance of over 70%. The back side windows must be able to transmit over 70% of available light. The law for the rear window does not stipulate a legal limit , however there may be restrictions imposed by local ordinances making it illegal to have a mirror finish on passenger vehicles.
The ANSI standard specifies that to meet the distribution within the visible light range requires using a combined film and glass VLT of 35 percent. This means that if your window already provides over 70% VLT such as factory tinted windows, the VLT for your film cannot be more than 20%. As manufacturers typically manufacture films to have a minimum of 5% VLT, you are limited to a film that matches your factory tint.
All windshields must allow over 70% of the light into the driver’s side, meaning really no tinting on the windshield is allowed in Alaska. In one test we conducted, we found that the actual amount of tint allowed on factory tinted glass was 80% as opposed to the 70% amount of visible light transmittance.
Rationale behind Window Tint Laws
In Alaska, as in many other states, there are laws regulating how dark you can tint your car windows. These laws are designed with safety, visibility, and law enforcement issues in mind. Safety is a primary concern, as window tinting that is too dark can significantly impair a driver’s ability to see the road and other vehicles. This is especially problematic during nighttime driving or in low-light conditions, which can increase the risk of collisions.
The legality of window tinting in Alaska also serves law enforcement purposes. Excessively tinted windows can make it difficult for officers to see the occupants of a vehicle during a traffic stop or accident investigation, potentially putting them at risk. By regulating tint darkness, laws aim to strike a balance where privacy and comfort are considered, but not at the expense of safety or the practical needs of law enforcement.
Additionally, allowing only certain levels of tint helps to maintain a uniform appearance on vehicles, which can be beneficial for other drivers on the road. Highly tinted windows may present challenges to other drivers when merging and changing lanes, as well as when the sun is at an angle that makes badly tinted windows a potential hazard.
Ultimately, the state of Alaska wants to ensure that while its residents have the option to enjoy the aesthetic and practical benefits that window tinting provides, they must do so in a way that does not endanger themselves or others.
Illegal Window Tint Penalties in Alaska
The penalties for illegal window tinting in Alaska go up substantially the further you violate the law. The first offense is a minor fine, however it becomes a serious issue if you face additional infractions.
For a first window tinting conviction, Alaska law does not specify a fine amount. However, according to the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, fines are generally between $100 and $200 dollars. This fine is a civil penalty, not a criminal penalty, meaning that window tinting does not result in any jail time.
Second or subsequent convictions can result in much higher fines, as well as the suspension of your registration. For a second conviction, the DMV can also suspend your registration for up to 30 days. For a subsequent conviction, the DMV can suspend your registration for up to 60 days. The suspension period increases to 90 days for a third conviction, 120 days for a fourth conviction and one year for a fifth conviction. If the court does not find that the violation was intentional, then registration suspension is probably not going to be handed down.
Exceptions to the Window Tint Laws
Not every driver in Alaska will be subject to the window tinting laws set forth above. Certain exemptions exist for both window tinting and light restrictions. Like many other states, Alaska offers several medical exemptions to drivers who require darker window tint on their vehicles due to a medical condition that causes extreme sensitivity to sunlight.
Drivers who have been granted a certificate or administration authorization are exempt from all window tinting requirements. Unlike some states that only allow certain darknesses of tint, Alaska regulations permit medical exemption window tinting at any darkness as long as the certificate holder keeps the approved certificate in a location on the vehicle that is easily accessible for inspection purposes.
The certificate of exemption must include your name , the name of the registered owner of the vehicle or person for which the consent is valid, the make, year and vehicle identification number for the vehicle for which the exemption is valid, the signature of the medical examiner that prescribed the use of window tint, a specific description of the tinting, the number of years the exemption is legitimate, and a certification that a copy of the certificate is to be kept inside the tinted vehicle.
While there are significant exemptions provided to medical certification holders, additional exemptions are provided to window tinting on the windshield of vehicles that are operated by police and law enforcement officials. No windshield tinting of any darkness is permitted on a vehicle that exceeds 16 percent luminous reflectivity.
How to Test for Window Tint
Window tint levels can vary across the glass, and therefore will determine if the vehicle is within the acceptable limits of tinting for your state. In order to increase the accuracy, check multiple points across the window. In 2007 the state of Alaska required tint meters to be calibrated yearly in an effort to standardize all meters. Current meters are digital and therefore require no calibration after 2007.
For passenger vehicles, the limit means that a tint that has an optical transmission percentage of not less than 35% may be used on limiting legal tint on the windshield, which may be of a multi-layered design or a single layer of tinted film material and shall be limited to the top portion of the windshield if a multi-layer design is used, and rule out any tinting film that, when tested on the inside surface of the window with a 45-degree angle light beam and at a wavelength of 560 nanometers, results in a luminous transmittance of less than 35%. The windshield must still comply with any federal regulations.
Additionally, the windows to the sides and rear of the driver and passenger should not have a luminous reflectance of more than 20%. The number is determined by testing on the inside surface of the window with a 45-degree angle light beam and at a wavelength of 550 nanometers.
How to Select Legal Window Tint
The most effective tool for selecting window tint that complies with Alaskan law is the expertise of a window tint professional. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles website states: "If film is applied to the glass, it must be labeled by the manufacturer or installer as to the percentage of light transmission". Labeling that includes this information can be found on the edge of the film itself , but sometimes more difficult-to-find labeling information might also be found on the cardboard sleeve and packaging the window tint was originally wrapped in. But the responsibility for compliance with Alaska law now lies with owner of the vehicle that has window tint in Alaska, so consulting with a professional before installing window tint, as opposed to after, is the best option.