Back in 1991, the state of Florida set forth a set of laws pertaining to car window tinting. If you’re driving around the Sunshine State, it’s important to have all the information and documentation about the tint on your car’s windows, including the level of darkness or reflectiveness allowed by law. In addition, there are various other rules and regulations to be mindful of for window tinting in Florida. To ensure you steer clear of any fines, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with all the details below.
Two crucial concepts to be aware of with auto window tinting are Visible Light Transmission (VLT) and Visible Light Reflection (VLR). In this discussion, I’ll explain both concepts, starting with VLT.
1. Window Tint Darkness in Florida (VLT)
Window Tint Darkness or Visible light transmission (VLT) is a measure of the amount of light that passes through a film. It’s measured in percentages and can diversify from 0% to 100%. The higher the percentage, the more visible light is transmitted through the film.
Every state has individual legal limitations. Therefore, if you’re planning to tint the windows of your vehicle in Florida, the amount of light that can penetrate the tinted glass may differ from other states. Additionally, the regulations for passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles can vary. Therefore, it’s crucial to take the time to carefully review the specific tinting laws in Florida before proceeding with any modifications to your vehicle’s windows. By doing so, you can ensure that you remain in compliance with all applicable regulations and avoid any potential legal issues down the road.
Tint darkness laws for passenger vehicles (sedans) in Florida:
Windshield: You can use a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
Front Side windows: You can use maximum up to 28% tint darkness.
Back Side windows: You can use a maximum 15% tint darkness for backside windows.
Rear Window: You can use a maximum 15% tint darkness for rear windows.
Tint darkness laws for multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and vans) in Florida:
Windshield: You can use a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
Front Side windows: You can use up to 28% tint darkness for front side windows.
Back Side windows: You can use maximum 6% tint darkness for backside windows.
Rear Window: You can use maximum 6% tint darkness for rear windows.
2. Window Tint Reflection in Florida (VLR)
Window Tint Reflection or Visible light reflection (VLR) is the amount of light that a window film reflects. For window tinting in Florida, the amount of visible light reflection (VLR) allowed can vary depending on the percentage chosen, which can range from 0% to 100%. A lower VLR percentage means that less visible light will be reflected into the vehicle, resulting in more sunlight being blocked. Therefore, it’s also crucial to pay attention to the VLR when choosing a tint for your car’s windows to ensure you remain in compliance with Florida window tint laws. By doing so, you can avoid any potential fines or legal issues associated with non-compliance.
Tint reflection laws for passenger vehicles (sedans) in Florida:
Front Side windows: Window tint installed on the front side windows of a passenger vehicle must not be more than 25% reflective.
Back Side windows: Window tint installed on the back side windows of a passenger vehicle must not be more than 35% reflective.
Tint reflection laws for multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and Vans) in Florida:
Front Side windows: Window tint installed on the front side windows of a multipurpose vehicle must not be more than 25% reflective.
Back Side windows: Window tint installed on the backside windows of a multipurpose vehicle must not be more than 35% reflective.
Other Florida Window Tint Rules and Regulations:
For window tinting in Florida, there are several rules and regulations in place that must be followed to ensure compliance with the law. Besides maintaining a specific percentage of darkness and glare on each window, there are other requirements that must be adhered to. For instance:
Side Mirrors: In Florida, you require a dual side mirror on your vehicle if your rear window is tinted.
Restricted Colors: Upon learning about Florida’s tint laws, people often wonder which colors are permitted for use on car windows. However, it’s important to note that the state of Florida does not allow the use of any color tint on vehicle windows.
Certificates: It is unnecessary for the films used by manufacturers to tint vehicles in Florida to be certified.
Stickers: In Florida, it is required for a sticker identifying the legal tint level to be placed on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb. This sticker allows law enforcement officials to easily determine the level of tint on a vehicle’s windows and ensure that it is in compliance with state law.
Medical Exceptions: Florida state law permits medical exemptions for lower tint on all windows for individuals with certain clinical necessities. As required by the medical exemption law in Florida, the driver of a vehicle with darker tinted windows must not only have the document issued by the window tint installer but also a clinical note from the specialist doctor providing details of the special needs.
Penalties For Non-Compliance: If the tint on a vehicle’s windows is found to be non-compliant with Florida’s laws, the owner of the vehicle may be given a warning to have the tint corrected. If the tint is not corrected within a certain timeframe, the owner may be subject to a fine of up to $100.
Conclusion
The 2023 Florida window tint law declares that the front windshield may only have tint applied above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line, and the front side windows must allow at least 28% of light to pass through. The back side windows and rear window must allow at least 15% of light to pass through. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure that the tint on their windows complies with these regulations. If the tint on a vehicle’s windows is non-compliant, the owner may be given a warning to have the tint corrected. If the tint is not corrected within a certain timeframe, the owner may be subject to a fine of up to $100.
Disclaimer
The information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or as a substitute for the advice of an attorney. No user of this site, or any other person or entity that may have received this information, shall rely upon the information contained as creating an attorney-client relationship between such user and Car Glass Advisor. The rules and regulations pertaining to car window tint in Florida may change at any time. Therefore, please contact a local lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.