Many drivers in Los Angeles and throughout California enjoy tinted windows for their style, for extra privacy, or to reduce heat and UV exposure inside their vehicles. While tinted windows offer benefits, they are subject to specific legal limits and safety standards.
What California Law Requires
Under California Vehicle Code 26708, any material applied to a vehicle’s windshield, side, or rear windows must be clear, colorless, and transparent unless it meets defined criteria. The glass or film must have a visible light transmittance of at least 88 percent.
Additionally, windows and any applied material need to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205, which mandates a minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and certain abrasion resistance for glass conforming to AS-14 glazing.
To be lawful, tinting material must be designed and manufactured primarily to block harmful ultraviolet A rays, not merely for aesthetics.
Safety Risks and Legal Consequences
If tinting exceeds legal limits, visibility may be significantly reduced. Poor visibility increases the likelihood of accidents. Having professionally installed, legally compliant tint is safer than using substandard film applied by someone without proper expertise.
In an accident, improperly tinted windows may be a factor. Because California follows pure comparative fault rules, a driver’s degree of liability may increase if their illegal or overly dark tint contributed to the crash.
What Happens If the Law Is Violated
Violating tinted window laws can result in fines and penalties. If a driver gets into a collision and the darkness of their window tint played a role, that driver may face greater responsibility for damages or injuries.
If you are injured in a crash where tinted windows were a factor, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal claims could include recovery for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, or wrongful death depending on the severity of the injuries.
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