A Brief Overview of Louisiana Tint Law
Several state laws govern the legality of window tint in Louisiana, as given in the Louisiana Window Tint Law Warnings document. These regulations apply to vehicles on the road and in the state’s DMV offices when receiving inspections for legal tint compliance and safety. Louisiana requires the tint of vehicle windows to adhere to state tint laws. There are available medical waivers for individuals who require darker state than permitted due to certain medical conditions. To apply for one of these waivers, an individual needs a prescription from a licensed physician. According to the tint laws, only a windshield is permitted to have a non-reflective tint, which can be of any darkness level. Darkness levels are determined utilizing a light meter, which must be employed to confirm the tint darkness complies with the tint laws. A test with a light meter is performed in the top portion of the windshield above the AS-1 line or within five inches of the top edge of the windshield. Any darker than 30 percent is considered non-compliant with state laws and can result in receiving a violation for non-compliance . The windshield must have a minimum of 70 percent VLT (Visible Light Transmission) in the window tint film, while the entire windshield has to have a minimum of 96 percent VLT, regardless of whether the tint is clear, factory tint or tinted after-market tint.
Window tint for the front side and rear side windows can’t have a darkness level that is more than 25 percent. Once the law is determined to be ineffective, you may be required to remove or change the tint. The VLT for the front side windows must be a minimum of 40 percent, whereas the rear side windows can be a minimum of 12 percent and a maximum of 50 percent. Factory tint on the rear windows does not have to be labeled. No tint is permitted across the rear window if the tint doesn’t comply with VLT. However, no more than three inches are permitted to be removed from the top of the rear window if it doesn’t comply with the tint law. One of the main reasons to understand legal window tint is so drivers and passengers can enjoy all the benefits without concern over being pulled over and ticketed. Unless you are given a medical waiver to have window tint compliant with the law, passing the light meter test is required of every vehicle in Louisiana by law.
Levels of Allowed Window Tint Darkness
Permitted tint darkness levels, or VLT levels, are as follows:
Windshield:
All vehicles must have a darkness level of 40% VLT or higher for the windshield. This means that the glass must allow at least 40% of the light to enter the vehicle. In addition, all vehicles are required to have an AS-1 line on the vehicle or manufacturer certification sticker.
Passenger and Multi-Purpose Vehicles:
For passenger and multi-purpose vehicles, the tint darkness level for the front side windows must be 40% VLT or higher, or at least 50% VLT. Additionally, there are no darkness level restrictions for the back side windows, rear windows or the rear quarter windows.
For commercial and multi-purpose vehicles, the tint darkness level must be at least 35% VLT or higher. Again, there are no darkness level restrictions for the rear side windows, rear windows or the rear quarter windows.
Reflective Tint Restrictions
As with other tints, reflective tint may be applied to vehicle windows. Louisiana laws limit the amount of reflectivity allowed to be applied to vehicle windows. The tint must have a total light reflectance of no more than 20%, which applies to the tint material placed both on the interior and exterior of the glass. Keep in mind that all the applicable regulations discussed above apply to any window on which reflective tinting is applied.
Window Tinting Medical Exemptions
Medical exemptions for tinting are permitted in Louisiana. However, qualifying for such exemption can be a lengthy and tedious process as you will have to provide some substantial documentation, but it is worth it in the long run if you have a condition for which a medical exemption may be granted . In order to apply for a medical exemption for additional tinting as it relates to legal window film in Louisiana, you must provide the State Police Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) with the following documents: If, after review, your request for a medical exemption is approved, you will be issued a sticker allowing you to exceed the window tinting limits set forth in Louisiana law – even temporary tint. While a medical exemption may seem like a cumbersome process with little or no reward, consider obtaining one if you suffer from migraines, suffer from the debilitating effects of allergies, or even if you have skin conditions such as xeroderma pigmentosum, lupus or skin cancers of some type.
Penalties for Illegal Tint
Non-compliance with Louisiana state laws pertaining to window film can result in a fine, and in some instances, the removal of the tint. If law enforcement finds that the tint does not comply with Louisiana tint laws you may be pulled over for "driver’s discretion" and warned or ticketed for the illegal tint. The Louisiana State Police are very specific as to the reason "driver’s discretion" is used.
The driver’s discretion law states:
"DRIVER’S DISCRETION ONLY APPLIES WHEN THE VISIBILITY OF THE TINTED WINDOWS HAMPERS THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OR THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE TINTED WINDOWS ARE NOT COMPLIANT WITH STATE LAW"
In general you will not be pulled over for a window tint inspection unless you are pulled over for a different violation. However, each police department has their own set of rules and regulations specific to their department regarding the enforcement of illegal window tint.
Penalties for non-compliance include:
1st Offense – $100
2nd Offense – $250
3rd Offense – $500
Violations are charged per car. There is no distinction between front and back windows when charged with a window tint violation. Although 3 tickets may be issued for a window tint violation, we understand from our customers that after the 3rd ticket, law enforcement will require the removal of the Tint.
Tips for Buying Legal Tint
When selecting a legal window tint in Louisiana, there are a few practical tips you should keep in mind. First and foremost, always work with a reputable and trustworthy tinting company. A knowledgeable company will offer you a variety of options that meet the standards of Louisiana law. For example, the company may provide you with a range of options that include all-night, heat rejecting tints that keep your car cool and are available in varying levels of darkness. Additionally , it’s important to understand that you can have different levels of tint on different windows. You may want a darker tint on the rear window while opting for a lighter tint on the sides to make changing lanes easier at nighttime.
Another tip for choosing legal tint is to ensure that the tint you select is installed by a window tinting professional. An experienced company will be responsive to your needs and will take their time to ensure that they provide you with quality service. Lastly, it’s important to know that you can upgrade your tint in the future if you would like to darken the tint that you currently have. All you need to do is remove the existing tinting film and replace it with something darker or more effective. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t be afraid to invest in an upgrade if you would like a better, darker sound reducing film.