Anyone Pulled Over For Window Tinting?

[Cyber111]

So, I got pulled over two days ago by the police. The two officers were a young rookie and a not as young mentor. The rookie was driving and pulled me over because I have VERY slight tinting on my windshield and front side windows.

When the rookie was back at the police car running my plates the other police officer was like “Hey so you play upright bass?” I said, “Yeah it’s one of my favorite instruments.” He was like “That’s cool, I used to play bass. I started on the cello and then moved to the upright bass.” I was like “Hey, me too!” (Which was totally true by the way.)

Then he went back to check on the other officer at the police car and they were there for a really long time. Then they came back and the older officer said “Sir, can you do me a favor? Roll up your window and hold some fingers up.” I did so and then he asked the rookie how many fingers I was holding up. The rookie guessed right but said “Well his fingers are up by the window where it’s brighter.” So, then the older officer said “Sir, can you put your hand down by your lap and display a different number of fingers?” I complied, the rookie guessed right and then the mentor turned to the rookie and said, “Did you have your sunglasses on when you were evaluating the window tint?" The Rookie nodded. Then the mentor said, “So do you think it was a good idea to have your sunglasses on while evaluating the window tint?” And the rookie was like “Um… I guess not.”

Then the older officer looked at me and said “We’ll let you off with a warning. I appreciate you and your courteousness, sir.” And I basically said the same thing back to both of them. These were two very friendly and courteous police officers. Bottom line… I think I LUCKED OUT!!! I guess legally in California you can’t have ANY tinting on your windshield or front side windows, is that right? I think the “Upright Bass Player” connection saved me! Who knew?

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[ABILISK]

Out of curiosity, what percentage is the very slight tint you have?

 

[cybercuh]

I’ve had a few combo tint+no front plate fix-it tickets.. it’s good to have friends that are in law enforcement wiling to sign them off. You should have exchanged socials with the bass officer.

 

[gooshjkc]

From my understanding, to tint your windshield is illegal. As for your front side windows, that depends on the state you live in. As for me, I got the lightest tint I can get for my windshield - 70%. It’s practically transparent, but it does help with the heat. Now, I don’t think I will be cited for it, but I think it really depends on the mood of the officer.

 

[ABILISK]

From my understanding, to tint your windshield is illegal. As for your front side windows, that depends on the state you live in. As for me, I got the lightest tint I can get for my windshield - 70%. It’s practically transparent, but it does help with the heat. Now, I don’t think I will be cited for it, but I think it really depends on the mood of the officer.

I can only speak for Texas law, but we can tint any percentage above the AS1 line (which is pretty low on CT) and 25% on the front windows. Rear windows and obviously the glass roof can have any percentage.

 

[Ken in Miami]

I can only speak for Texas law, but we can tint any percentage above the AS1 line (which is pretty low on CT) and 25% on the front windows. Rear windows and obviously the glass roof can have any percentage.

There are many YouTube videos of lawyers addressing this issue the consensus seems to be they cannot stop you for tinted windows as the reason for the stop and they suggest rolling your passenger and drivers windows down and keeping them down if you are stopped. They cannot put their hands inside the vehicle to do a check. The windshield on most of the trucks here are tinted very dark. I pass many police officers every day and my car is very dark if I was stopped for tint or anything I would roll the two windows down and deal with the ticket if they gave it because they have to have probable cause, not being a lawyer I would just address the ticket in court if I got it.
During the day here in South Florida, you would be hard pressed to find a police officer without sunglasses on to begin with.

 

[CapheDa]

My California life hack is to tint the windshield 70% but do not tint the side windows. I figure the windshield tint is where I really need it for sun protection but the cops are going to write tickets for the side windows when they can’t see in. I even got a speeding ticket the other day and no mention of the windshield tint, which is pretty light anyway but you absolutely need it in the Cybertruck.

 

[Gene]

Your biggest problem isn’t the police. An illegal tint will cancel your insurance if you are in an accident. I have a friend who was in an accident that wasn’t even his fault. People were hurt, his insurance did not pay on the grounds that they contracted in faith that the vehicle was legal with no visual obstruction. The judge stated that he may have been able to avoid the accident had he had no degradation of view. Cost him a few $100k. Illegal tint can be very expensive!

 

[cybercuh]

Your biggest problem isn’t the police. An illegal tint will cancel your insurance if you are in an accident. I have a friend who was in an accident that wasn’t even his fault. People were hurt, his insurance did not pay on the grounds that they contracted in faith that the vehicle was legal with no visual obstruction. The judge stated that he may have been able to avoid the accident had he had no degradation of view. Cost him a few $100k. Illegal tint can be very expensive!

What insurance was this to stay far away from them..

I've been in a car accident, having 5% all around in CA, and I was fully compensated.

 

[Gene]

What insurance was this to stay far away from them..

I've been in a car accident, having 5% all around in CA, and I was fully compensated.

Maybe the difference was a child was badly hurt and the other vehicle owners were suing him. I’d rather not take the chance myself.

 

[Ken in Miami]

Your biggest problem isn’t the police. An illegal tint will cancel your insurance if you are in an accident. I have a friend who was in an accident that wasn’t even his fault. People were hurt, his insurance did not pay on the grounds that they contracted in faith that the vehicle was legal with no visual obstruction. The judge stated that he may have been able to avoid the accident had he had no degradation of view. Cost him a few $100k. Illegal tint can be very expensive!

I never thought of that. But I prefer cool temps over easy bake oven driver!
I would appeal that ruling.

 

[Nexus6]

My wife just got a ticket driving my truck.
Here’s what Grok says about Tint Laws in Kommiefornia.

 

[REM]

Then the older officer looked at me and said “We’ll let you off with a warning. I appreciate you and your courteousness, sir.” And I basically said the same thing back to both of them. These were two very friendly and courteous police officers. Bottom line… I think I LUCKED OUT!!! I guess legally in California you can’t have ANY tinting on your windshield or front side windows, is that right? I think the “Upright Bass Player” connection saved me! Who knew?

let the lesson here be to never assist an officer with his investigation. They are not your friends. Laws against window tinting are utter tyrannical nonsense. I haven't seen a police cruiser in over a decade that didn't have limo tint all the way around.

If you want to have tint outside of the "legal" amount, make an appointment with an eye doctor and tell them you have light sensitivity and you are looking to tint your vehicle to help you with that problem.

 

[bigbangbadaboom]

on my way to mammoth, pulled over for tint at the time it was like 15%?

 

[leighnthom]

Was stopped by a FL Sheriff on the highway for front windshield tint. Said he couldnt see me from his rearview mirror so he slowed and allowed me to pass him before he pulled me over. Only pulled me for tint as I was below speed limit whole time. Said tint can only come down top third to line on window. Below that is illegal. Got ticket. Said to remove, bring ticket to any law enforcement to verify, they sign ticket, no fine. Just the cost to remove tint. Now by CT is boiling hot in the FL sun.

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