Georgia Window Tint Law Explained
Georgia provides window tinting regulations that are in line with national averages. The laws pertaining to window tint are laid out in § 40-8-73.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and are relevant to glass that is either installed in a vehicle and/or tinted after-market. Because it is possible to apply tint film to the skylights of buildings, the tinting laws also apply to all sorts of structures.
For passenger cars, the degree of tint allowed is based on the amount of visible light that remains after tinting. The law states that the windshields of any motor vehicles, including trucks, vans, and SUVs, must have a luminous transmittance (measured as a percentage) of at least 32%. In addition, the windshield may have a tinted band no larger than six inches, as long as the tint has a luminous transmittance of at least 34%. With respect to front side windows, the law requires tint films to have a luminous transmittance of no less than 32%. For back side windows, no specific requirements apply , which means that almost any degree of tint level is permissible. In all cases, a front and rear license plate must be visible from the outside of the vehicle, and no reflective tint is allowed on any windows.
The tint laws in Georgia are very appropriate because the State experiences a great deal of sunny, warm weather, and solar reflectance due to tint application improves the overall comfort level in vehicles while also potentially increasing safety. On the other hand, unlike some other states, Georgia does not have hot or climate change prohibitions for adding tint applications after the vehicle is manufactured.
It is worth noting that the Georgia laws governing tint application in commercial vehicles and vehicles that are not considered passenger cars are on par with those for passenger cars, as well as for SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks. Heavy trucks have no special window tint requirements.
Because there have been no recent changes to Georgia State tint laws, it is possible for individuals who live in the State to purchase legal window tint shades with confidence.
Understanding VLT (Visible Light Transmission)
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is measured using a percentage of the amount of visible light that, when combined with other colors, is emitted and transmitted to the interior of a vehicle. A windshield that is legally tinted with a 70% VLT percentage permits 70% of the available light to enter your vehicle. The higher the VLT percentage is, the darker the tint will be.
Using a VLT percentage, law enforcement personnel, law makers, and window film users are able to estimate the percentage of visible light entering a vehicle. Georgia law requires that window films must allow at least twenty percent (20%) transmission of visible light in order to comply. If a window film allows light in at a higher percentage, it will be considered to be legal.
With the VLT percentages, it becomes much easier to determine if aftermarket window film is compliant with the law. However, it is not uncommon for law enforcement personnel to use a photometer to measure the VLT of the film. While several factors can affect the measurement a photometer calculates for a window film, a VLT percentage is still critical to understanding whether or not a tint is legal.
Legal Tint Levels for Various Vehicle Windows
The law in Georgia regarding window tint requires the vehicle owner to comply with a set of rules and regulations listed in the Georgia Code section 40-8-73.1. For passenger and multipurpose vehicles registered for 10 or more passengers, tint must meet the following criteria:
Front seat windows – Must have a light transmittance of 32 percent or higher and a side mirror on the driver’s side.
Back seat windows – Must have a light transmittance of 6 percent or higher and at least a 32 percent light transmittance to the rear.
Multipurpose vehicles, vans and SUVs registered to carry 9 passengers or less:
Front seat windows – Must have a light transmittance of 32 percent or higher and a side mirror on the driver’s side.
Back seat windows – Must have a light transmittance of 10 percent or higher and at least a 32 percent light transmittance to the rear.
Passenger-class vehicles registered to carry 8 passengers or less:
Front seat windows – Must have a light transmittance of 32 percent or higher and a side mirror on the driver’s side.
Back seat windows – No light transmission requirements.
Any light transmittance of the window that is greater than 32 percent can be certified but shall not be noncompliant and registered as such.
Medical Exceptions and Inclusions
While most car windows are required to undergo tinting that meets the standard windshield tint laws in Georgia, they may also be eligible for certain exemptions. Darker tints may qualify for an exemption when a medical condition requires increased sensitivity to bright light or sunlight. Those who have light sensitivity can get a doctor’s note, which will detail the medical condition. The note must also state that the condition warrants a darker tint.
Simply having a sensitivity condition does not guarantee approval for a medical exemption. The tint must be deemed necessary by the doctor , who will then submit a note for consideration.
The State of Georgia requires exemption applications to be filed electronically or in person. Those who fax or mail in their application will not have them processed or considered. The application fee is $20 and is non-refundable. If you are granted a permit, it will be sent directly to your home – along with a monthly sticker to display on your car in a visible area.
Consequences of Violating the Law
If that doesn’t scare you enough, the penalties if you get caught driving around with illegal window tint are fairly severe. Operating a motor vehicle with window tint beyond the limits or with reflective window tint violations (which is a separate offense) is considered a misdemeanor in Georgia. A first offense will likely get you a $25 fine, while a second or third offense will get you a fine of $50 and/or thirty days in prison. That’s a lot to pay for tinted windows- both financially and in terms of your criminal record. Repeated and/or multiple offenses do result in larger fines and possibly other problems- they can sometimes lead to a misdemeanor for willfully and wantonly concealing the driver/operator. Even if you end up only facing a $25 fine, you still have to worry about court costs and other fees tacked on as well as having to remove the tint and re-test your windows. The bottom line is, if you want window tint, follow the legal guidelines rather than taking the chance that a law enforcement officer, police department or other entity will test and find your tint in violation.
Selecting the Right Legal Window Tint
When it comes to selecting legal window tints for your vehicle, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind. For starters, always choose a reputable window tinting service that is well-versed in the legal requirements for window tints in Georgia. It’s a good idea to ask about their experience and to seek out customer reviews to ensure that they have a track record of helping clients stay within the legal limits when window tinting.
Ask about their tinting process as well. Georgia law requires that any film used must meet certain standards, so it’s important to choose a provider that can provide film that meets these requirements . Request to see samples of the different shades available and familiarize yourself with how they might look on your own vehicle.
Before you decide on a specific tint, be sure to ask for a final written estimate that includes all of the details of the work that will be performed and the materials that will be used. Be sure to understand the warranty offered on the tint and any potential charges for removal at a later date if you were to need them replaced.
Don’t feel that you need to rush into the window tinting process. Explore your options until you feel comfortable not only with the tint, but also with the company performing the work. Never be afraid to be on the lookout for the businesses that can meet your legal tinting needs.