Understanding Window Tint Laws in Florida
Florida requires that tinted windows have a minimum Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of 15%. You can opt for colored tint as long as the combined film applied to the glass does not have a VLT of under 15%.
All windows must have a minimum VLT of 15% with the exception of windshields and the passenger side and rear windows, which can be tinted with a minimum of 30% VLT. In Florida only the driver’s window on the driver’s side is required to have a VLT of 15%. There are no restrictions on the colors allowed for this window. The passenger side and rear windows can also be tinted with a minimum of 30% VLT, but no more than 35%. Like the driver’s side window on a car, you are also permitted to apply any color tint. Most experts advise against however using darker rear windows because of how dark they can appear at night.
The rear side windows allow a minimum of 30% VLT , which is similar to the passenger side windows. If there is window tint to the front and side windows of the car that is darker than 30%, that is allowed so long as the rear side windows are also tinted at 30% or more. Of note, some jurisdictions in Florida choose to not allow the darker tint in front of the rear side windows so make sure to check the laws of your area or consult with a window tint legal professional to clarify in order to avoid getting pulled over. All these tint percentage requirements refer to VLT which means the amount of light that passes through the tinted window. In other words, the harder the tint on your window, the lower your VLT percentage. The percentage required by Florida law (15% for most windows) refers to this percentage of light that should be allowed to pass through your vehicle’s tinted windows.
Why Window Tint is Regulated in Florida
The state of Florida, like many other jurisdictions across the United States, has enacted laws governing window tinting to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals on the roadways. Government agencies like the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) have put these regulations in place to prevent serious accidents from occurring on the roadway due to a lack of visibility.
Law enforcement officials are charged with maintaining public order and safety, and restricting vehicles from having excessively dark window tint helps officers quickly and effectively identify whether the occupants inside pose any immediate threat to the safety of other drivers or themselves. The inability to clearly see the occupants of a vehicle due to an overly tinted windshield can lead to assumptions about drivers who may not be a threat, and can also delay a police response time to calls for help. Both of these occurences can jeopardize the safety of the driver in question and other individuals nearby. While these regulations may be frustrating to the unsuspecting driver, they are put in place to ensure the safety of all individuals on the roadway.
Penalties for Tint Law Violations
The consequences of failing to comply with the Florida legal limits for window tint can range from minor to severe. First and foremost, if your vehicle does not pass inspection due to its tint, it may be subject to being denied the renewal or issuance of its vehicle registration. This can prevent you from using the vehicle legally on Florida’s roadways until the issue has been rectified. Additionally, fines may be imposed by law enforcement for non-compliance with state law if your window tint is tested and does not fall in line with the legal limits for the state. In some cases, officers may issue a warning instead of a fine, especially if you are in the process of having the matter rectified. However, multiple offenses for window tint violations can lead to fines and other penalties as well, and it is important for vehicle owners to stay up to date with the state’s laws on window tint before making any manufacture alterations on a personal vehicle after purchase.
Exceptions to the Florida Tint Law
Exemptions from Florida Tint Law
Although it is against Florida law to use anything other than a safety glass window in a motor vehicle, people with certain medical conditions are exempt. For example, if you have an illness that renders you especially sensitive to light, you may be able to tint your windows darker than the law usually allows.
If you have a medical need for tinted windows, you will need to obtain a Florida Medical Exemption Certificate (MEC) from a Florida-licensed physician or osteopathic physician. A Florida MEC costs $10 and you can request an application from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) website. You may use a form DHSMV 83039 Application for Medical Exemption to the Window Fortification Requirements of Section 316.29545, Florida Statutes. Only Florida’s DHSMV or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ("FDACS") can issue these certificates.
The DHSMV will only issue you a medical exemption certificate if the physician or osteopathic physician (who is licensed in Florida) who examines you orders it and if the physician or osteopathic physician does so under Florida law. Accordingly, only a doctor licensed in Florida can issue a certificate that complies with Florida law . The certificate must state that the doctor "has personally examined the individual diagnosed as legally blind or with a medical condition, or with a medical condition rendering the individual especially sensitive to sunlight, and who needs glass tinted darker than allowed by law to protect him." Upon examination, if the doctor determines that your condition requires tinting of your windows, the doctor will then issue you a written "Medical Exemption Certificate" upon payment of the fee. The Certificate remains valid for as long as the patient remains under the care of the doctor responsible for the issuance of it and written notification is provided to the Department "annually or at any time at the request of the department" that the patient no longer requires tinting of windows darker than those permitted by law.
Bring the completed Medical Exemption Certificate and non-refundable payment (and any required documents, such as a copy of your driver’s license) to your local Tax Collector’s office. You can find your local Tax Collector’s office at the DHSMV website. If you don’t want to apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate, you can still obtain a "Privacy Glass Certificate."
Selecting the Appropriate Tint for Your Vehicle
Selecting the appropriate tint for your car is more than just choosing the darkest shade you can. The law in Florida allows for different types of tint, and getting the legal amount right can be the difference between a ticket for violation of the tint law and a valid tint that reduces eye discomfort from the sun and adds extra privacy to your vehicle.
There are two basic tint options in Florida. The first is window film that is applied to your existing automobile windows. This comes in a wide variety of degrees of shading. It also comes in several options for visibility, including total black-out, and reflective tint as well. This type of tint is usually what people think of when they consider tinted windows, but it is not your only option.
Tinted glass is another option, and it is available in the two legal-types of tint. This is the option most popular with individuals purchasing luxury, premium or highly expensive vehicles. It cannot be installed on previously unwinted windows. It must be in the vehicle at the time it is manufactured, or it does not meet legal standards.
Measuring the Tint on Your Windows Legally
To legally measure window tint on a motor vehicle, you must use a reliable light meter device specifically designed for the task. This tool has a tube-like structure from which you shoot a beam of light through the tinted glass. One end is placed against the glass and a laser light emitted from the device is shined at the tint at a 90 degree angle.
When it strikes the tint, the "light meter" will count how long (in nanoseconds) it takes for the light beam to pass through the window. By taking a measurement with the laser pointed directly at the tint and then moving it slightly until you can no longer get a reading, you can find the limit of the tint. By taking a similar reading on the untinted glass, you can see how much visible light is being let through.
Some window tinters may use a different method. They may measure the level of visible light that gets through onto the interior trim of the window, or on the inside of the window, then just show you that there is a certain amount of light getting through under normal lighting conditions, whether sun or overhead light. It’s easy to think of tint as something that is either light enough or dark enough for the authorities not to stop you.
However, when someone else – including an officer – measures a tint that is slightly darker than the VLT limit, they might proceed to issue a ticket. For this reason , it is very important to know what the legitimate level of tint is for your vehicle’s windows. You can locate the limit for your state in our Tint Law List. In Florida, VLT must meet a minimum of 28%.
Even if your tint complies legally, accidents can happen. Tint film can get scratched, deteriorated or damaged, and sometimes the adhesive that sticks the tint to the glass can fail. When this happens, a bubble in the tint can block access to the window. You will need a clean, unblemished area in which to take a measurement for compliance.
Regardless of the level of visible light, tint can become violated when tint starts to break down. In this state it can form tiny dots in the top sheet of film that looks like a starry sky. This scattered layer is known as dusting, so called because although you don’t notice it at first, over a period of time dust can collect on the surface and become noticeable.
Vehicle owners with damaged, worn window tint should always have their tint checked for compliance. Sometimes, they will have purchased a vehicle with window tint already installed. So even if their knowledge of window tint law was initially quite good, they lose knowledge through a change of tint.
A simple way to check the compliance level is to take a flashlight and shine it on the window. If the amount of light that reaches the inside of the vehicle seems distracting or distorted, it is likely the tint has some dusting and should be checked for compliance.