Ask any local and they’ll tell you that car window tinting is vital for keeping out Arizona’s famously hot and bright sunshine, which can wreak havoc on our cars and bodies. While we’re parked in downtown Phoenix or making our daily commutes along crowded major freeways like I-10, the 202, and the 101. While it would be nice to have our cars as shady as possible for comfort's sake, there are only certain levels of car window tinting permitted in AZ by law.
From UV ray skin protection and other medical precautions to personal driving comfort and “coolness factor,” even if you have the best intentions when having car window tinting installed on your AZ vehicle, you may still be out of compliance with state law.
Here, we will provide all the necessary information about Arizona’s tint regulations for car windows. The Arizona window tint state law was enacted in 1994. There are some additional rules concerning car window tinting rules in Arizona. We’ve detailed all of our state’s window tint regulations below for your convenience.
Whether you’re heading into downtown phoenix for your daily commute or you’re cruising down I-10 towards your next vacation, the comfort and protection of window tint in your vehicle is phenomenal. But is your Arizona vehicle’s window tint in compliance with local law? We’ve detailed a few of our state’s window tint laws below for your convenience. Unless you want to get pulled over by Arizona’s finest, window tint compliance is a must.
Legal regulations regarding the Arizona Windows Tint Reflection State Laws are very similar to sunglass lenses. Tint films can contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light, as well as reducing the heat and glare generated by visible light.
All windshield tints above the AS-1-line set by the manufacturer must be non-reflective. However, backside and rear windows are allowed to have both a 5% to 35% reflective tint. 35% is the maximum percentage of luminous reflectiveness allowed.
Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
| The Percentage of Legal Visible Light | Is The Same For Sedan, Vans & SUV's |
|---|---|
| Front Side Windows | Must not be more than 35% reflective |
| Back Side Windows | Must not be more than 35% reflective |
| Rear Window | Must not be more than 35% reflective |
Rules about the Arizona Windows Tint Darkness Laws. Besides reflectiveness, tint darkness (indicated in percentages) is highly important as well.
The darkness of your car window tinting is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%).
Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
| The Percentage of Legal Visible Light | Is The Same For Sedan, Vans & SUV's |
| Front Side Windows | Must allow 33% of light inside vehicle |
| Back Side Windows | Any shade of tint can be used |
| Rear Window | Any shade of tint can be used |
It’s a good idea to double-check this information with your local DMV, the Arizona Department of Transportation, or local law enforcement authorities.
Arizona law enforcement can pull you over on suspicion of a front window that is too dark. Most officers will use a tint meter to determine whether or not this is too dark. A tint meter measures how much light passes through your window. If you tint your windows too dark, the officer will give you a ticket.
If you end up getting a ticket, Arizona state has a ‘fix-it ticket” called the Equipment Repair Order. You only pay a small fine while providing proof that you get window tint removal to remove the violation. If you do not do this, you can pay a fine of up to $250.
Car window tinting is a vital part of daily life in AZ. Between the numerous health, safety, and monetary benefits that car window tinting can provide for AZ drivers, installing window tinting on your car is a great investment in your present and future–as long as your window tint complies with the law.
When it comes to protecting the health of your car and yourself in a legal and safe manner, car window tinting for your AZ automobile is the way to go.
If for some medical reason, your passengers need specific protection from the direct UV rays of the sun, you can always seek a medical exemption from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) as we’ve mentioned earlier. All you need to do is to complete an Application for Window Tint Medical Exemption, certified by a medical provider.
Afterward, your application will be passed to the Medical Review Program, and once approved, any car you own or regularly use will be exempted from the Arizona window tinting requirements. Keep in mind that this tint exemption does not include your front windshield.
For safety reasons, we must abide by the Arizona window-tinting regulations from the Arizona State Department of Transportation.
Arizona law enforcement can pull you over on suspicion of a front window that is too dark. Most officers will use a tint meter to determine whether or not this is too dark. A tint meter measures how much light passes through your window. If you tint your windows too dark, the officer will give you a ticket.
If you end up getting a ticket, Arizona state has a ‘fix-it ticket” called the Equipment Repair Order. You only pay a small fine while providing proof that you get window tint removal to remove the violation. If you do not do this, you can pay a fine of up to $250.
In every state, there is a collection of tint laws and regulations as well as regulations that both clients, as well as installers, need to comply with.
Obviously, there are exceptions to these regulations. For example, a person that suffers from some sort of skin cancer requires heavily colored front side windows in Arizona’s heat. While mirrored window films are not basically illegal, some states do not allow the use of these.
If you find yourself stuck to the very same outcomes of your “window tint near me” searches, attempt to seek out your neighborhood tinting laws as it might give you an idea of what works best for your cars and trucks.
As the leading Arizona car window tinting
provider, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have about car window tinting and tint rules. Give us a call today!
4235 E Magnolia St, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
602-363-9039