The Basics of Arizona Tint Law
Arizona is a state that allows vehicle window tinting in various forms, but there are some basic laws the vehicle owner must be aware of. We’ve outlined those below.
Windshields: Windshield tinting is permitted, but not below the AS-1 line of the manufacturer or within 4 inches of the top of the car window. For tinted visors overlay, the film cannot exceed six inches and the tint on the entire windshield must meet the VLT requirements for front windows.
Front Windows: Front windows must have a minimum of 33 percent VLT. Front windows may not be mirrored or have reflective tinting. The film cannot be darker than the manufacturer’s original window tint .
Back Windows: Back windows of sedans and SUVs may have any tint and cannot be mirrored or have reflective tint. Vans are allowed to have non-reflective reflective tint and mirrors on the back windows, but only if the vehicle also has outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle.
Rear Windows: Rear windows may have any tint and cannot be mirrored or have reflective tint. As with the back windows of vans, cars with rear windows are allowed to have non-reflective reflective tint and mirrors on the rear windows as long as the vehicle also has outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle.
The Purpose of Arizona Tint Laws
Tint laws in Arizona aim to address police safety concerns and visibility issues. In the case of a traffic stop, police officers need to make an immediate assessment of any potential threats to their safety or the safety of others on the roadway. This is difficult to accomplish when a vehicle is tinted. Police also need to be able to see through the windows to identify if a driver is wearing their seatbelt, or if they are distracted by a cellphone or other device. If the driver appears distracted, it immediately raises a level of concern that the officer should be aware of.
Tint laws in Arizona are enforced because they help to make the roadways a safer place for everyone. Police officers who are pulled over while driving need to have peace of mind that when they initiate a traffic stop, they will be able to more easily see the occupants of the vehicle, and assess the level of risk they are potentially facing.
Arizona Legal Tint Percentages
As far as legal tint percentages, Arizona statutes allow for a different percent of light transmission through the windows of a vehicle depending on the type of vehicle. For sedans, light transmission should be greater than 33% for the film and there should not be a reflective film over the windshield, above the AS-1 line or the first meeting of the windshield wipers. Trucks, vans and SUVs, on the other hand, can have a non-reflective color film across the top of the windshield above the AS-1 line or the first meeting of the windshield wipers. All other side and rear window must have greater than 33% of light transmission and in trucks, vans and SUVs these windows may have 1 reflective film over the front side windows. However, greater than 5% light transmission over the front side window is not allowed.
Arizona Tint Law Exceptions
Exceptions to the law can apply for certain individual or special circumstances. The most common exemption is for medical reasons. Those who have sensitivity to light and cannot be comfortable under normal circumstances require darker tint to make driving, sitting in the passenger seat or riding in the back seat tolerable for any length of time. In order to obtain a medical exemption for window tinting in Arizona, the person who requires the exempt tint must file paperwork with the state Department of Transportation for review and approval. Those who have chronic migraines, skin sensitivity or who are allergic to the sun frequently receive approvals. Death and dismemberment cases are also granted exemptions for tint on the windows in the vehicle. An exemption that is much more rare is for tinting on the windows of a limo. The exemption allows for tint that is not allowed on other vehicles, so it is usually very dark in color.
While there are doctors who will freely write medical letters for the exemptions, the Arizona Department of Transportation requires medical stamp to verify that the condition is ongoing and not simply a temporary issue. Not all physicians will provide this information. The tint must be frequently inspected at the time of renewal to ensure it is properly maintained.
The Consequences of Tinted Windows
Violating Arizona’s car tint laws can lead to various penalties. Officers may pull you over strictly for illegal tint and ask if you can see inside the vehicle. If a police officer can’t see your eyes, you may be asked to comply with removing the tint on the spot. Not complying may result in a ticket. The first fine is $50, $250 for the second, and $500 for the third. A ticket for violating car tint laws may get you pulled over when your windows are completely rolled down. These tickets occur because the officer can not see anything in the window. Fines and costs add up quickly. It’s also possible to have a violation be reported to the highway patrol and potentially cause an insurance problem. The officer may ask for a visual or physical inspection of the tint on your vehicle , which is usually done using a tint meter. This goes for all windows except the windshield, which has a 5-inch inspection zone on the top and only allows for a tint of 5%. You do not have to roll down your windows for the officer to take a measurement, which is an incentive for already having illegal factory tint.
Even though Arizona has fair tint laws, violating them can add up fast. Portrayed as one of the main "small" hates in the state, Arizona law includes tint laws as an aspect that can cause people to react negatively—especially police officers—when they see it. Having factory tint is safe and easy to live with. Having darker tint can be hazardous to everyone on the road. However, keeping your health first in mind while finding ways to keep cool is an alternative to tint.
How to Calculate Tint Compliance
To ensure that your vehicle’s window tint complies with Arizona’s laws, it is recommended you use a tint meter. A tint meter measures the visible light transmission (VLT) of the windows to determine the percentage of light that can enter the vehicle. It is best to consult a professional for accurate results. They will place the meter directly on top of the tinted window and press a button to get a reading.
If you do not have access to a tint meter, you can utilize another method to measure if your tint meets the legal requirements. Using a tape measure, you need to measure 3 inches from the glass up. Place the tape measure over the film along the edge of the tinted window. On the end of the tape measure, there will be prints to help you align the tape measure. From there, use the visible light transmission to measure the tint’s darkness. Keep in mind, this method only applies to windshield sun strips and does not apply to the front windows and back windows.
If you are still uncertain about the legality of your tint after using the tint meter or measuring it, it is best to consult a professional window tinting service to get another opinion. Alternatively, you can contact the Arizona Department of Transportation which issues a certificate of compliance for tinted windows.
Keeping Your Vehicle As Stylish As It Is Compliant
While some car owners may be inclined to install illegal window tints for a more stylish appearance or for further protection from the Arizona sun, blacked-out windows may be taking it a step too far. Your car’s windows can be tinted, but you should avoid extremes if you want to maintain a professional and attractive vehicle. Fortunately, there are many other alternatives that will keep your car looking good while still keeping it legal.
One of the most popular forms of window treatments is the perforated shade. These shades offer all of the benefits of window tint without obstructing vision. They apply to the outside of your windows and can be removed and reapplied as often as you like, making them ideal for rental cars or company cars. They can be laser cut to fit any window and printed with your company logo for a great advertising opportunity .
You may also want to consider applying a product such as Llumar’s Automotive Window Film to your car or truck. This type of window film comes in varying levels of tint, with the darkest types only allowing a mere 3-pt of visible light through. This ultra-dark style keeps your cars windows practically opaque for the ultimate in privacy.
You can also consider upgrading the windshield to have a gradient style tint, or to have just the top section of the windshield tinted. This option helps on those long road trips where the sunlight can be difficult to deal with, and the gradient effect extends the life of your tint while providing a stylish look.
When choosing a tint for your vehicle, be sure to thoroughly research your options and choose one that provides the level of protection you need without violating the tint laws set in place by the state of Arizona. Keep your car looking sophisticated and stylish with a high-quality tint or window treatment.