Tint Laws in Indiana
Indiana maintains strict window tinting laws in accordance with federal and state standards to regulate the concentration of solar optical materials used on motor vehicle windows. The window film must conform to the VLT (visible light transmission) percentages set forth by the law, and beyond this, there are no exact specifications regarding tinting materials. As a guiding principle, Indiana tint law is designed to control the amount of solar material that may or may not be used, in order to reduce shattering in the event of window shatter. As with most tinting regulations, Indiana law permits application of the UV (ultraviolet light) as well as the VLT levels.
VLT – for the purposes of Indiana state law – is defined as the percentage of total visible light that passes through any given layer of tinted glass, or an installed piece of window film. This does not apply to the windshield – which must have at least 70% VLT, and on the front side windows, 30% VLT must be maintained in order to be legally compliant. This means that on the front side windows, up to 30% of VLT can be applied, leaving 70% of sunlight infiltration, while up to 70% can be applied to the windshield. The back side windows may be tinted with 30% – or any darker degree of tint as specified below .
For legal passenger vans or buses in Indiana, the level of permitted tint darkness is 30%, with a maximum of 6 inches of the top edge of the window being exempt from these measures. For SUVs light trucks or vans, only the driver’s and front passenger’s side windows, plus the windshield, must be compliant, and the back windows are exempt from the same regulations – leaving only the front tinted.
Indiana prohibits tint on vehicles with reflective properties exceeding 25% total solar reflectance – applied to the interior of the window panel.
Indiana does not require labeling on tint to inform law enforcement officials that the vehicle is tinted in accordance with the law. However, it contains a no-tolerance zone for reflective tint no matter how transitory or illusory this may be.
Note: exemption permits apply to certain vehicle types, including taxis, buses, ambulances and limousines.
The Indiana tint exemption permits allow for darker and/or more reflective tint material than otherwise permitted under state law, for vehicles operated by non-profit organizations, utilities, and law enforcement agencies, or vehicles that have been modified for a specific purpose (i.e. transportation of hazardous contents, or the disabled).
What is the Darkest Legal Tint in Indiana?
The darkest legal tint allowed in Indiana is 30% on sedans, coupes, SUVs and trucks both for the front windshield and rear side windows and rear window and 30% on SUVs and trucks for the front side windows and rear window. For vans with 4 side lights the darkest legal tint is 30%.
Therefore, the rear window on a van (or SUV/Truck with 4 side windows) that rolls down has to be 30%.
The rear window in other vehicles where that window doesn’t roll down has to be 30%.
In an SUV or truck with four side windows, the window rasor moved back from the B pillar on the driver and passenger side that has no black-foot painting (which some manufacturers do have to hide the rearview mirrors) that’s not tinted 30%. Priuses are considered SUVs by the Indiana and Federal Government.
Tint on SUVs, trucks and vans may only be applied to the top six inches of the windshield if a strip is desired. A strip may be any shade and not extend below the top of the windshield in front of the driver.
Tint on SUVs, trucks and vans may not be applied to the left and right side windows until the window reaches the point right behind the line of vision for the driver.
Since many newer vehicles don’t have a B pillar and there’s no line of vision directly behind the driver and passenger the authorities do not concern themselves if the whole rear side window is tinted.
Legal Window Tint Benefits for Indiana
When it comes to legal window tinting in Indiana, the benefits are not always obvious. Yes, we know the tint has to pass a shade test at the end of the installation, but that doesn’t mean legal tint isn’t beneficial.
For starters, legally installed window tint will protect you and your passengers from harmful UV rays. While cars these days come with tinted computer glass as a safety measure, darker tint shields your skin and your organs from injury from the sun. When coupled with high-SPF formulas, window tint can reduce the likelihood you will get sunburned, even on cloudy days.
Secondly, window tint—with the exception of the windshield—will reduce glare. When driving into the sun, the glare can temporarily blind drivers up ahead. Even seeing a giant truck shifting lanes can be blinding on an otherwise clear, sun-drenched day. Installing window tint reduces the risk of glare, making our highways just that much safer.
Finally, window tint adds privacy. We know you may not think of that as a safety benefit, but we assure you it is. Cars are burglarized every day because a thief sees something visible inside the car and becomes a thief of opportunity. Tinted window limits the opportunity dramatically. Even if what you have in the car is legal, you aren’t always interested in having people see (and sometimes judge) your "possessions" when you get out of the vehicle.
Ultimately, legal window tint is safe, effective, and benefits everyone. The only downside is that you cannot install tint much darker than what is allowed.
Penalty for Tinting in Indiana
Violating Indiana’s tint laws can have more than just a mere "window" of consequences.
A passenger car tinted with a film exceeding the permitted levels on the front windshield, or darker than the standard tint on the side windows, can be stopped by law enforcement and fined. Up to a certain threshold, however, automotive tint laws in the state are not criminal offenses. As such, a violation is only a civil offense, punishable primarily by a fine of up to $500.
Fines are broken into three separate levels, corresponding to the number of offenses:
- First offense – no more than $500
- Second offense – no more than $1000
- Third or additional offenses – no more than $10,000
Repeat violations that result in fines of $10,000 within a 90-day period, or fines that total $100,000 within a one-year period, can result in suspension of your driving privileges.
There are a limited number of exceptions that apply to Indiana’s window tint laws. These include:
Although the above-listed exceptions are available to allow window tint that may otherwise fall outside the law, they may be difficult for some to obtain. For example, an additional requirement that may arise in applying for a medical exemption is to have your vehicle inspected by the county sheriff’s office – who will then certify their inspection results to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) of Indiana.
This same requirement sometimes applies to those applying for an additional exemption, such as those for a commercial motor vehicle. Additionally , there are time limits for obtaining a new inspection from your county sheriff each time your registration is due for renewal.
This process and the requirements can seem burdensome in order to comply with window tint laws in the state. Applying for a Medical Exemption can take time you may not want to spend at your county courthouse. In fact, applying for a Medical Exemption in order to tint your windows may require you to miss time from work, due to the fact that you’ll probably have to arrange for a day off to visit the county courthouse and have your application for exemption processed. In this situation, it may seem like a better option to remove excess tint from your windows at substantial cost.
On the other hand, simply leaving excess tint on your rear windows after you’ve had your tinted windows inspected by your county sheriff may shorten the life of this window, or essentially seal your vehicle’s windows shut. If this happens, it can result in the need to remove the tinted film in full, even if you’re considering replacing your tinted windows in the near future.
If you’re considering replacing your tinted windows in the near future, it’s probably best to do so now – and pass inspection for violating window tint laws in the state later – rather than face fines that increase every time you do so. Replacing or removing your tinted windows now may save you time and money in the future, as the incremental cost of meeting the above-mentioned law, and compliance requirements, can add up. If you choose to replace or remove your tinted windows now, you’ll only face an incremental, nominal charge for adhering to Indiana automotive tint laws.
How to Pass the Window Tint Test in Indiana
To avoid running afoul of the law, vehicle owners should familiarize themselves with Indiana’s legal tint requirements. Before considering window film installation, be sure you understand the legal limits of total light transmittance for your vehicle type – passenger vehicle, truck, van, SUV, and bus or multipurpose vehicle – and each window location. Professional window film retailers and installers can help ensure you comply with the law in every state where you drive. A reputable window film installer will carry a range of window tint products and help you choose the shade and level of heat reduction you want. The technician can then follow Indiana law with respect to the total light transmittance and visible light reflectance for each window in your vehicle. Even after windows have been tinted, you can have the film checked for compliance using a dot-matrix device available from a portable chimney sweeper; at any law enforcement agency; or at any Motor Vehicle Inspection Station. The device consists of a dual-laser light source and LED keypad that enables a law enforcement officer to measure tint on tinted windows. If requested, owners must make their vehicles available for inspection to determine if the tint complies with Indiana law.
Have Indiana’s Tint Laws Changed Lately?
Both the Indiana House and Senate proposed bills that would’ve amended the law to increase the permissible level of visible light transmission or VLT level. The two bills were SB 111 and HB 1227. HB 1227 failed when it missed the critical third reading deadline in the Senate by one day. On the other hand , SB 111 was able to pass the Indiana state government but was eventually vetoed by the governor. Though the Governor did include an explanation on why he chose to veto the bill. While Vanco Motorsports LLC was, and still is, in favor of a change in legislation as opposed to a random executive action, it looks like tint laws will be upheld for now.