What are Arizona’s Window Tint Laws?
Understanding window tint laws in Arizona, as well as the purpose of the window tint laws, can help you determine the amount of darkness or reflectivity and the placement of automotive window film you place on your vehicle. Arizona window tint laws also specify how much tint you can have on the windows of your home. The goal of this set of Arizona laws is to protect drivers & passengers from dangerous UV rays and allow law enforcement officials to see into the vehicles they pull over for criminal activities. These motorcycle , automobile & residential window film regulations also assist auto manufacturers & window film manufacturers clarify & communicate the technical specifications necessary to meet the requirements of the laws. This clarification is also important because it cuts down on the amount of abusive enforcement by law enforcement organizations. If you have already tinted your windows or are considering installing window film, by learning the window tint laws in Arizona you will know whether or not you need to remove some of it or all of it and re-tint in order to avoid a window tint ticket.
Legal Tint Percentages for Passenger Cars, SUVs, and Vans
Within the state of Arizona there are provisions in place that are intended to protect you as well as your vehicle from mass amounts of UV rays and sun exposure. All the while, these window tints are intended to be customizable based on the size, model, make and style of your car. Therefore there are laws that you should abide by when customizing your tint.
However, understanding the terminology used in these window tint laws can present its own challenges. For example, there are two main components to Arizona’s window tint laws—they measure the amount of light either allowed in or let out of your vehicle (the Visible Light Transmittance) as well as the amount of ultraviolet light that can be let into the vehicle through the glass (the Ultraviolet VLT). Let’s take a closer look at the exact legal tint on vehicles that are permitted for different make and models of vehicles.
Just as it sounds, passenger sedans and SUVs are designed specifically for the transport of passengers. These vehicles include the following types of vehicles: With 33% – 50% VLT allowed on the front windshields, 35% – 50% VLT allowed on the front windows, 30% – 50% VLT allowed on the back windows, 25% – 50% VLT on the back windshields, and 35% – 50% UVT on the front windows, rear windows, and windshield, these types of vehicles and each of their individual windows are all subject to state law. You may not go beyond the limits of the tint listed above.
Window Tint Color and Reflectivity Restrictions
Restrictions on tint color and reflectivity are closely monitored under Arizona law. For all windows behind the driver’s window, Arizona law restricts only the amount of visible light that passes through, so tinted windows must let in at least 35% of visible light. For the side windows in front of the rear passenger doors, there must be at least 33% of visible light, and for the rear windows, there must be at least 20% of visible light. On all of these windows, any color is permissible as long as at least 33% of light is allowed through. On the front windshield, the law does not restrict the amount of light that comes through, but it does prohibit colors other than a band that extends no lower than the AS-1 line of the manufacturer’s windshield or the top five inches of film, whichever is longer. The bottom line is that the front windshield must be that light band plus at least 70% of visible light. Also gone from the front windshield 5 inches down are any colors – no color is allowed on the front windshield in any state. Another restriction that applies to the front windshield is that it must not have any more than 5% reflectivity, meaning that mirrors can be no more reflective than raw glass. While these laws are very specific, other restrictions may be necessary when the window tint is combined with other accessories. For example, if the car also has reflective chrome accents, glare may become a problem and may be considered a hazard. Similarly, amber or red reflective material may not be legally applied to the window tint due to concerns relevant to safety.
Special Considerations and Exemptions
Certain exemptions do exist within Arizona’s tint law, particularly for individuals who require special medical attention for protection against the state’s powerful sun. Arizona law does not require individuals with such medical ailments to obtain excess tint permits. Instead, these patients must keep written documentation of their condition inside the vehicle at all times. Acceptable medical conditions include, but are not limited to, the following:
For individuals who suffer from any of these ailments, obtaining an Arizona window tint exemption certificate is as simple as providing the proper documentation to a local law enforcement division. If presented with an issue, this document can be requested by Arizona law enforcement personnel as part of a vehicle stop. Should you be fortunate enough to obtain a window tint exemption certificate, it simply needs to be carried in your vehicle for any situation in which it may need to be presented.
Window tint exemptions may also apply not just to medical condition, but also based on owner’s vehicle type. For example, if you own a wheelchair-accessible van registered in Arizona, you may qualify for an excess tint exemption.
The tinted windows bell curve for Arizona’s laws and regulations is quite easy to navigate when you have the right resources and a good understanding of the rules that govern window tinting in Arizona.
Penalties for Arizona Tint Violations
Non-compliance with Arizona’s window tint laws can lead to significant penalties for drivers. While the intention behind the rules is to ensure public safety and visibility on the roads, violating these regulations may result in warnings, fines, removal of the allowed tint, forced removal of tint from portions of the vehicle, or even a requirement to buy a new car. In severe cases, violations of the rules could even result in criminal penalties.
When pulled over, an officer may notice an illegal amount of tint in car windows. The officer will likely then issue the owner or operator of the vehicle with a warning to remove the tint and/or allow for a follow-up inspection of the vehicle’s tint within a certain period of time. If the tint in the vehicle still exceeds legal limits at the time of follow-up inspection, the officer will probably issue a fine of some amount.
More serious penalties may include the forced removal of the tint from parts of the vehicle. In this case, drivers would have to have their vehicle’s windows removed, reglassed and reinstalled with no tint at all. This can quickly become very expensive for the driver, and may also lead to other issues . Even more serious criminal penalties could be brought in extreme cases, potentially causing serious damage and hardship if tint was not only excessive, but also applied incorrectly and diminished the vehicle’s visibility through the windshield.
While situations in which the police can prove excessive window tint is being used are fairly clear-cut, there are situations in which minor, unintentional infractions may happen. For example, someone who has a medical reason to tint the windows of their vehicle may see minor tinting at the top of the windshield removed, only to find out the illegal amount was inadvertently applied to the side windows of the vehicle.
When medical exemptions that allow individuals to tint windows for conditions like light sensitivity are violated, drivers may accidentally apply tint where it is not allowed. The penalties for such unintentional transgressions, however, are generally not severe.
From warnings and fines to the more serious consequences described above, there is a full range of possible penalties when it comes to window tint law non-compliance under Arizona law.
Tips for Selecting Legal Tints
When selecting window tints for your vehicle, there are several important recommendations to follow to ensure compliance with Arizona law and to maximize the tint’s benefits: Consider professional installation. While it is possible to purchase window tint products with DIY kits, it’s not recommended. Professional installation typically results in a better fit with no bubbles or gaps in the tint. Only use products that meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80.3-1996 standard. This standard requires that all window tint installations be free of bubbles, cuts and other defects that could be easily removed from the glass surface. If your window tint product did not pass inspection and certification, it should not be installed. Protect your investment. Once you select a legal window tint for your vehicle, it’s important to keep it clean. Many people fail to regularly clean the vehicle’s windows or neglect scratches and cuts on the glass. If the tint gets damaged, it will have to be completely removed and replaced, which can be a significant expense. Inspect your windows after installation. It’s always a good idea to inspect your windows after installation. To do this, fully open the window in question. Move the window up and down for approximately five minutes. Inspect closely for any spaces that could indicate an ineffective seal. If you notice undeniable evidence of a defect, contact the tint installer immediately to discuss removal and replacement.
Common Questions about Arizona’s Window Tint Laws
Q: How do the state’s window tint laws apply to UV window film products? Are these products illegal to install on cars registered in Arizona?
A: Not unless the product is applied to the windows that are required to be clear, based on the state window tint law. The law does not specifically address window film products that block UV rays.
Q: Is there any situation that would allow me to install darker window tint on my vehicle than the law allows?
A: There are specific exemptions in the law for persons with certain medical conditions that require darker tint. Those exemptions do not extend to vehicles owned by family members of individuals with medical conditions nor to commercial vehicles. Exemptions are narrowly applied and strictly construed by law enforcement and the courts.
Q: What happens to all of those colored windows that are now manufactured solely to block the green color of the state’s tint law sticker?
A: Although touted as "sun control" products, window tint is typically marketed primarily for aesthetic purposes and their use as such will not be unlawful, with the caveat that it must meet the color criteria and Visible Light Transmission (VLT) specifications contained in the tint law.
Q: I have already been cited for having tinted windows. What should I do?
A: Contact an experienced vehicle registration and titling attorney to explore your options for getting the citation dismissed through removal of the tint or targeting the quality of the citation itself through administrative processes.
Conclusion: Informed and Compliant
In conclusion, Arizona’s window tint laws provide clear guidelines for vehicle owners and window film installers alike. We’ve explored everything from the science behind window tint to the constraints of these regulations. Key takeaways from our discussion include understanding the VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentages permitted in Arizona, knowing which windows are allowed to be tinted, the types of materials that can be used, and the penalty structure for non-compliance. As an Arizona resident, it’s essential to know your responsibilities as a vehicle owner or window tint installer. For vehicle owners, this means ensuring that your window tint falls within state-regulated VLT percentages and material types. On the other hand, if you’re a professional installer, you should be well-versed in Arizona’s legal tint percentages for each type of window. But it doesn’t end there. Laws and regulations can evolve based on new research and changing societal norms , making it necessary for vehicle owners to update themselves regularly. Staying abreast with the law ensures that you are not only compliant but also that you’re making the most informed choices when it comes to window tint for your vehicle. Non-compliance can result in a range of consequences, including fines and even re-tinting costs. We strongly recommend forgoing any do-it-yourself tinting options if you are unable to decipher the law. Professional assistance can save you time as well as money by avoiding re-tinting and other associated hassles. Always ensure that your chosen installer is knowledgeable about the current window tint laws in Arizona. Finally, ignorance of the law will not exempt you from penalties. If you are driving with window tint that fails to conform to Arizona’s legal requirements, you will be stopped and fined by law enforcement. Avoid unintentionally becoming part of statistics by staying informed and compliant.