Jason Stephens | December 26, 2022 | Texas Law
The year 2009 saw the implementation of Texas’s first window tinting laws. These laws require anyone who manufactures window tinting film to have it certified before selling it. Consequently, all motorists are required to purchase certified film. If that comes as a surprise to you, you can learn more about window tint laws in Texas below.
What Vehicles Do the Laws Apply To?
Texas’s window tint statutes were designed to regulate the following vehicles:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Vans
- SUVs
However, the following vehicles are exempt from Texas’s window tinting laws:
- Taxis
- Buses
- Limousines
- Law enforcement vehicles
- Vehicles with proper medical permits
If you have questions about whether these regulations apply to your vehicle, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the proper authorities or a qualified attorney to get answers.
Tinting and Windshields
You are allowed to apply tinting film to your windshield as long as you follow certain rules. Here’s an outline of what you need to know.
Tinting Must Be Above the AS-1 Line
All tinting must be applied above the AS-1 line. If your car does not have an AS-1 line, the tinting must end no more than five inches below the top of the windshield.
Color Restrictions
There are restrictions on what colors of tinting film are permissible. Red, amber, and blue film are not allowed.
Values and Percentages
Tinting film must meet approved regulations for light transmittance and luminous reflectance values. For each value, the properties of the film must be combined with those of the vehicle’s original glass. The state of Texas mandates a light transmittance value of 25% or more and a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
UV Film
Texas law allows for the placement of clear UV film anywhere on the windshield.
Front Side Window Tinting Regulations
Tinting film is allowed on an approved vehicle’s front side windows as long as certain conditions are met. First, the light transmittance value must be 25% or higher. Second, the luminance reflective value must be 25% or lower. Anything that falls outside of these parameters on an unapproved vehicle is considered illegal.
Rear Side Window Tinting Regulations
The Texas Transportation Code exempts rear-side windows from tinting regulations.
Rear Window Tinting Regulations
Rear window tinting is permissible as long as the vehicle in question has an outside mirror that provides a driver with a line of sight of at least 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle. If this mirror is in place and the driver can see, then there are no tinting restrictions for the vehicle’s rear window.
If the vehicle in question does not have the aforementioned mirror, it must meet certain standards for light transmittance and luminance reflectance. Specifically, the light transmittance value must be 25% or more, and the luminous reflectance value must be 25% or less.
Proper Labeling Under Texas Window Tint Laws
If your vehicle has tinted windows, Texas law requires that you affix a label to the bottom corner of the driver’s side rear window. The label must indicate that the tinting complies with TRC Chapter 547. Any other information is currently not required by law.Now that you know a little more about Texas’s window tinting regulations, you should be ready to tint your windows in accordance with state law. Remember that these rules were designed to minimize car accidents and keep people safe by mandating greater visibility while still affording a degree of privacy.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth car accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
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Fort Worth, TX 76107
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