New Texas law about tinted windows!

[Van]

I think I'll do 25% on sides and 20% in the rear.

[CamaroSkooter]

The way I'm reading that "act" it appears as though you don't need a sticker unless the tint on the windshield or front side windows is beyond what's allowed in the act.

I'm going to draw up a chart and see if I'm making correct sense of their negatives and double-negatives...

EDIT: Okay, here's how I read it:

Section 1 describes what passes as a label.

Section 2 a-1 says an installer that breaks this law is punishable by a fine of up to 1k if he does any window tinting without placing a label.

However, Section 2b Subsection (a) states that the above fine DOES NOT apply to:

1) windshield tint that is:
Light Transmission of 25% or greater
Luminous Reflectivity of 25% or less
NOT red, blue, or amber
does NOT go below 5" from the top of the windshield or below the manufacturer's AS-1 line, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield

2)front side window tint that is:
Light Transmission of 25% or greater
Luminous Reflectivity of 25% or less

2-a)rear side windows with any tint

3)rear window with any tint as long as the vehicle has outside rearview mirrors

4)rearview mirror tint

and everything below 5) doesn't apply to passenger cars.


Am I misreading this?

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by Van

So then what's the darkest tint we can use now on the sides / quarters / rear ?

Here's a good reference to use: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/tint.htm

There are actually two sets of rules you need to be aware of in Texas. First is the actual law and the second is what is checked during the annual inspection. Both are covered in the link above.

[Van]

Thank you!

[CamaroSkooter]

So, the installer can get in trouble if he's not putting labels on cars, however, nothing will happen to the end-user. Unless you installed the tint yourself

[kga10734]

My cars have the sticker on the driver's window. Has been that way for years. You don't even notice them. They are small and for the most part, blend into the tint.

[mmollo]

Originally Posted by Hoss

I don't know how big the stickers are, please show me one! I don't like stickers on my car.

Take a look at your thumbnail. That's about the size of the sticker.

[Coffey2SS]

i just got my windows tinted and the shop said nothing about the sticker. as far as the law goes, we all know that it is "interpreted" by the officer. i put 35% on the front two and 5% on the rear and sides. with the 5% the front looks darker and with the black leather interior, you can't see much inside any way. he would have made it darker for me if i asked. but i am in a beautiful piece of fine-art machinery that can go faster than the cops.....how many problems do i want with them??????lol

the 5% on the back really shows how wide the rear end is

[aldaran]

Originally Posted by Van

Is it really that big of a deal? The sticker will be barely visible.

True. Both my vehicles have the stickers and you can hardly notice them. If the tint is illegal you can fall back on the tint shop since they indicated it was compliant.

[crzycicada]

Anybody realize that they tinted their windows to dark when they drove at night? I'm thinking of doing 25% on the sides and 20% on the rear; I'm just concerned about whether or not I'll be able to see anything at night!! Any thoughts from folks who actually have windows tinted this dark?

[Coffey2SS]

even with 5% on the rear windows you can see just fine and it helps with those who do not know how to turn off their BRIGHTS the sides are 35% so i don't have to worry about some cop thinking they are too dark. you can tell the contrast between the two.

[R3DHOT]

I'm at 7.7 all the way around. It looks HOT but i'm gonna get popped for it, I'm sure. I will let ya know how it goes.

[O2BQIK]

Originally Posted by crzycicada

Anybody realize that they tinted their windows to dark when they drove at night? I'm thinking of doing 25% on the sides and 20% on the rear; I'm just concerned about whether or not I'll be able to see anything at night!! Any thoughts from folks who actually have windows tinted this dark?

Nope. I have 5% on rear quarters and back window, and it's honestly not a problem at all in my view. I don't really even notice the difference at night, because honestly you're just seeing headlights anyway.

[mlee]

Quote:
SB 589 requires that window installers place a vehicle equipment safety compliance label on a windshield, side or rear window stating that the window tinting complies with the appropriate provisions of the Transportation Code. Failing to place the required label on the vehicle could now lead to a $1,000 fine for the window installer.

It's for Installers not end users...