The Laws For Legal Window Tint In Nevada
Nevada law regarding window tinting comes primarily from Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) section 484D.450. This statute starts out with a blanket ban on window tinting: "A person shall not drive on a highway any motor vehicle which is equipped with glazing the light transmittance of which permits less than 35 percent of the light to pass through …" NRS 484D.450(1) .
Coating or tinting material applied to the windshield also has restrictions: "A person shall not drive on a highway any motor vehicle during the hours of darkness when it is equipped with windshield glaze the light transmittance of which permits less than 70 percent of the light to pass through…" NRS 484D.450(2).
Section 484D.450(3) permits tint under darker rules on rear side windows and the rear window, but these rules are slightly different depending on the date of manufacture of the vehicle.
The tint rules under Nevada law are also enforced by the Nevada Highway Patrol and local law enforcement officers.
What Musst The Darkness Of Nevada Window Tint Be?
A couple of previous posts I did were aimed at helping you to better understand Nevada’s window tinting laws, and to further that cause, this particular post is going to focus on what the darkest legal tint in Nevada is.
As is true in other states, the darkest legal tint in Nevada varies depending on the vehicle classification. When determining what is the darkest legal tint in Nevada, you have to factor in whether the vehicle is a passenger vehicle, multi-purpose vehicle, truck, van, or SUV. In addition, passenger vehicles have different regulations for the windshield, front doors, rear doors, and back side windows, as well as the rear window.
Passenger Vehicles:
-Windshield: At least 35% VLT (Meaning that 35% of visible light may be allowed to pass through the tinted window). So, the rest of the visible light that it does not allow in is considered to be blocked out by the tint itself. The Nevada Window Tint Law does not allow for tint darker than 35% VLT on the windshield of passenger vehicles.
-Front Door Windows: On the other windows in the front of the vehicle, the law only allows tint that allows at least 35% VLT.
-Back Door Windows: For the rear side windows of a passenger vehicle, the law does not impose any restriction on how dark the tint may be. Therefore, as long as your front door windows allow at least 35% VLT, the remaining windows on the vehicle may have as dark a tint as you so desire. Again, there is no limitation on the darkness of the tint on your vehicle’s back side windows in Nevada.
-Rear Window: Not surprisingly, the rear window of a passenger vehicle also does not come with any restriction on how dark the tint can be. There are no limitations on how dark the tint of the rear window may be for a passenger vehicle in Nevada.
SUVs, Vans, Trucks, and Mult-Purpose Vehicles:
-Windshield: The windshield of all vehicles other than passenger cars must allow at least 35% VLT. Meaning that 35% of visible light may be let in by the tinted window. Again, the Nevada Window Tint Law does not permit tint darker than 35% VLT on vehicle windshields.
-Front Door Windows: Again, for all vehicles other than passenger cars, the front door windows must allow 35% VLT.
-Back Door Windows: All window tint on all vehicles other than passenger cars can be as dark as 0%. In default of visible tint, this means that the window is completely opaque, allowing no light in at all. Again, the only limitation in Nevada on back door window tint is that the tint must be at least 0%.
If you don’t want to get pulled over for having a tint that does not comply with the law, be sure to pay attention to these percentages and choose wisely the tint you will have installed on your vehicle. No matter how much you love the look of the tint you have chosen, if it does not comply with the percentage limit, you may get pulled over, and nobody wants that.
Reasons For Window Tint Restrictions
The primary reason why the Nevada DMV places these restrictions on how dark your window tint may be is because they are inherently safer. There are a number of safety issues that are addressed by limiting window tint, both for the owner of the vehicle and the public as a whole. For example, individuals who wear eyeglasses or sunglasses will be at a major disadvantage while driving in low-light conditions if their vehicle’s window tint restricts their natural visibility.
Another serious issue related to window tint regulations is one that is critical for police officers, who need a clear line of sight into the cars they pull over. If the window tint is too dark, it could impair a police officer’s ability to conduct a traffic stop properly, which is extremely dangerous for both the officer and the driver. Allowing darker windows also could be a huge detriment to other officers, such as those investigating crimes through stakeouts. Dark windows could impair their visibility into a suspect’s car, preventing them from doing their jobs properly.
If you’re thinking of applying window tint to your vehicle, make sure you follow these tint darkness regulations for complete peace of mind.
Exceptions To The Rule
While such generally dark tint is not allowed, there are some exceptions to the Nevada tint laws. Medical exemptions are a common source of exception for those who require protection from bright sunlight or glare. People suffering from certain conditions, such as lupus or albinism, are often granted medical exemptions to the tint laws by obtaining a tint permit from DMV with a doctor’s prescription. This prescription must state the need for vehicle sun glare filtration or other visible light filtration due to a particular medical condition and must be accompanied by an explanation of how the tint will alleviate the symptoms of their disease or condition. Once granted, tinted windows may be legally permitted in all windows of the prescribed vehicle.
On the other hand, different tint laws are actually in place for commercial vehicles. In Nevada, the tint rules for commercially owned vehicles differ slightly from those of most passenger vehicles. For commercial vehicles, and those registered as buses and limousines, the front side windows may be tinted to 25% VLT, with rear side windows and windows behind front seats tinted to allow more passage of light into the black glass of the vehicle. Commercial vehicles are also allowed a slight mirror tint on the windshield, so long as it is a maximum of 35%.
How Is Tint Darkness Measured?
When it comes to window tint percentage, the law in Nevada, like elsewhere, has rules and regulations neighbors should follow. Different jurisdictions may have different requirements and restrictions, so it’s best to confirm the ordinance for that particular area. Tint darkness is measured by a percentage of light allowed to penetrate the tinted window. The percent of window film visibly darkens the windows, creating what many people want to consider some level of privacy from prying eyes. Sometimes homeowners want that privacy without blocking out light entirely or almost entirely.
Before a tint measure uses any type of tool, she can generally guess how dark the tint is simply by observing it. If a car comes down the street and doesn’t look like it has tint at all, it likely doesn’t. However , a car that looks like the entire window is tinted with a dark coating most probably has gone too far and violated the law.
Since not all tinting is covered by Nevada statute, it may simply be legal and not an issue. A tint meter uses a light transmission measure in its reading to determine if a car may have ceramic or another type of tint. For example, the Infrared Cabin Tint allows the material to reject heat while allowing light to pass through the window.
Window tint percentage is usually measured with a photometer, which determines the reflection of light. A smaller measure or laser is sometimes used to indicate the light that transmits through a window. When measuring the tint, it’s best to stay away from an area where the tint is damaged or scratched. That could interfere with getting an accurate reading.
Window Tint Penalties And Their Consequences
For those who are stopped for any reason, violation of Nevada Revised Statute 484D.440 can be an additional cause for citation. A properly fitted and legally tinted window, baed on the medical exemption, will not fail an inspection. The penalty for a first offense is a fine not to exceed $250. It is imperative that you keep receipts and documentation regarding your purchase of your medical exemption tint. This will protect you in the event of an unfortunate stop and citation. The penalty for a second or any subsequent offense is a fine of not more than $500. The penalties for a third or any other subsequent offense is a fine of not more than $500 as well as a period of imprisonment not to exceed six months. On any third or subsequent offense, a conviction is a mandatory misdemeanor. Definitely does not lend itself to a good employer reference.
Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Window Tint Compliant
For Nevada drivers, ensuring that your vehicle’s window tinting complies with state laws is essential. The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, ranging from fines to mandatory re-tinting of windows. As a result, it is vital to familiarize yourself with what constitutes legal tint for your vehicle. Dark legal tint is permitted in Nevada under certain conditions. To avoid complications and potential fines when pulled over, ensuring that your window tint is in compliance is a priority.
It is important to stay within legal limits. In Nevada, window tint darkness is measured by a percentage of visible light that is allowed to penetrate through the tinted window film. The front and back windshields are measured separately for darkness in Nevada. All other windows are measured for darkness on a combined basis. In Nevada, a maximum of 35 percent light transmission is allowable on all windows. Nevada law requires that the front windshield be non-reflective above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line, which is the tinted strip at the top of the windshield to the left and right of the rearview mirror. Nevada tint law allows no more than three inches of tint on the top of the windshield. For the front windshield, a 35 percent tint is allowed . If a manufacturer has provided a sticker for its product, it cannot exceed 50 percent apportioned across the front windshield.
You should always have a sticker placed inside the driver’s door jam that details the materials used in tinting your windows. This will help law enforcement officers ensure your tint complies with state law during a visual inspection.
Many reputable tinting professionals will come equipped with a tint meter. This equipment will help ensure that their product complies with Nevada state law.
Advertise for tinting referrals. Referring friends or family who can then vouch for the tint service will help you find legal tinting. Check the Nevada State DMV website for businesses listed as window film providers.
Most companies will offer add-on services, such as window tinting. But the cost of this service can vary by state. The average cost of window tinting in Nevada is about $200 versus $150 in California.
For those living in Nevada, the tint law is somewhat restrictive. Illegal tinting is assessed with darkening percentages on the front and other windows. Nevada law specifies a legal maximum tint of 35 percent on both the front and rear windows. If you are not in compliance with the law, a fine of $250 can be assessed.