Back in 1989, Hawaii laid down the law on car window tinting. If you’re driving on the island, it’s crucial to ensure your vehicle’s window tinting adheres to the regulations. Lucky for you, I’ve gathered all the essential information and documents regarding the permissible darkness and reflectiveness levels in Hawaii. However, keep in mind that there are other crucial car window tinting guidelines and regulations to be aware of as well. Skipping over these details could land you in hot water with the law, resulting in hefty fines. So, it’s best to read up and stay informed to avoid any potential legal trouble.
Basically, it’s important to know about two fundamental concepts: 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 Hawaii (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 shift from 0% to 100%. The higher the percentage, the more visible light is transmitted through the film.
Every state has a typical legal limitations. Therefore, for car window tinting in Hawaii, it’s essential to understand that the permissible levels of light transmission through tinted glass may differ from those of other states. Moreover, the laws on window tinting in Hawaii are distinct for passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles. That’s why it’s crucial to go through the tinting laws in Hawaii with a fine-tooth comb to avoid any confusion. By staying up-to-date with the regulations, you’ll have a clear idea of how much light can pass through your car’s tinted glass, ensuring that you comply with the state’s laws and avoid any potential penalties.
Tint darkness laws for passenger vehicles (sedans) in Hawaii:
Windshield: You can use a non-reflective tint on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
Front Side windows: You can use up to 35% tint darkness.
Back Side windows: You can use up to 35% darkness for backside windows.
Rear Window: You can use up to 35% darkness for rear windows.
Tint darkness laws for multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and vans) in Hawaii:
Windshield: You can use a non-reflective tint on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
Front Side windows: You can use up to 35% tint darkness.
Back Side windows: You can use any tint darkness for backside windows.
Rear Window: You can use any tint darkness for rear windows.
2. Window Tint Reflection in Hawaii (VLR)
Window Tint Reflection or Visible light reflection (VLR) is the amount of light that a window film reflects. In Hawaii, the permissible level of window reflection (VLR) when using window tinting is measured in percentages and can range from 0% to 100%. A lower VLR percentage shows that less visible light is reflected into the car, resulting in more sunlight being blocked. Therefore, it’s also essential to pay attention to the VLR percentage when selecting window tinting for your car.
To avoid any potential legal issues, it’s crucial to adhere to Hawaii’s window tint law, which permits a specific VLR percentage for tinted windows. By keeping this in mind and selecting the tinting for your vehicle, you’ll be able to block out excessive sunlight while remaining compliant with the state’s regulations.
Tint reflection laws for passenger vehicles (sedans) in Hawaii:
Front Side windows: You can’t use any metallic or mirrored appearance on the front side windows.
Back Side windows: You can’t use any metallic or mirrored appearance on the back side windows as well.
Tint reflection laws for multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs and Vans) in Hawaii:
Front Side windows: You can’t use any metallic or mirrored appearance on the front side windows
Back Side windows: You can’t use any metallic or mirrored appearance on the back side windows as well.
Other Hawaii Window Tint Rules and Regulations:
For window tinting regulations in Hawaii, the state takes things seriously. There are many rules and regulations that you must follow to ensure compliance. Besides adhering to specific levels of darkness and glare on each window, there are other guidelines you must also keep in mind. Here are a few examples:
Side Mirrors: In Hawaii, you require a dual side mirror on your vehicle if your rear window is tinted.
Restricted Colors: In Hawaii, there is no legal limitation concerning the color.
Certificates: In Hawaii, certification is not required for the film used to tint cars by manufacturers.
Stickers: As per the regulations, upon completing the window tinting process, you are not required to display any stickers to confirm compliance. This is quite an achievement!
Medical Exceptions: In Hawaii, medical exemptions are not allowed that would allow the use of special window tint on a vehicle. All vehicles in the state must adhere to the regulations regarding window tinting, which do not allow for any medical exemptions.
Penalties For Non-Compliance: In Hawaii, if a vehicle owner or business is found to have improperly applied window tint to their vehicle, they may be fined up to $250 to $500 for individuals and $500 to $1000 for businesses. It is important to follow the regulations regarding window tinting in order to avoid these fines and ensure that your vehicle complies with the law.
Conclusion
The 2023 Hawaii window tint law declares that the tint on the windshield must be non-reflective as long as it only covers the top 4 inches. The windows on the front side of the vehicle must allow at least 35% of light to pass through. Back side and rear windows can be tinted as dark as desired.
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 Hawaii may change at any time. Therefore, please contact a local lawyer licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.