Overview of Nevada Tint Laws
In Nevada, window tint laws, like those in much of the country, are implemented for the safety and protection of drivers and their passengers. As tinted windows reduce visibility, the state has implemented rules to keep the percentages of light passing through vehicle windows to a minimum. Nevada again follows the rules of the Federal Department of Transportation, promulgating its own laws for tinting ranges on passenger vehicles built after 1986. The VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentages allow for tinting of passenger cars’ windshield glass at a VLT of 35% to tint as much as 5% on the first layer of back window, with SUVs allowing as much as 20% for the second layer of rear window tinting. Significant leeway is afforded vehicles made prior to 1986, which do not have any tinting restrictions for the windows other than those in the windshield. This means that legal tint may be as black or dark on SUVs and vans as the owner of the vehicle chooses. However, on a standard vehicle, front window tinting cannot exceed a VLT of 35% for cars built in 1986 and later. In addition , the windshield may not have tinting allowed lower than the AS-1 line located at the top of the car’s windshield and tinted windows wider than that maximum of 14 inches. The thickness of the tint is also specifically addressed by Nevada law. No more than two layers of film – a tint and then a second tint – may be applied to any window on the front of a vehicle. Due also to safety, only the manufacturer, dealer or retailer that originally applied the window tint may later remove it from the vehicle windows. In addition, the film used for any window tint must comply with or exceed the specifications set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for flat glass. For all vehicle tint, each layer must be certified to the state of Nevada and should have a bar code sticker affixed to the vehicle’s tint certification label in the lower corner windshield on the driver’s side. If a motorist is pulled over during the day and cannot produce this label sticker on the vehicle, law enforcement personnel are authorized to issue tickets for the offense of over-tinted windows. For similar reasons as mentioned above, Nevada law prohibits the use of red, yellow and any color other than clear, gray or neutral colors for tinting.
Levels of Tint for Cars
In Nevada, the legal tint levels for vehicles are very specific, and they apply differently to different parts of a vehicle. Aftermarket window tint for the front window is allowed. The tint cannot be darker than 35% VLT. It must be installed with the adhesive side toward the window. Placing the tint on the outside will make it subject to damage from the weather. Another component of the regulation is that any tint installations performed by a windshield vendor need to have their contact information clearly applied. The legal tint for the windshield is 70% VLT. For tinting the windshield, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows two three-inch window strips to be placed on the upper section. For the rear windows of your vehicle, the tint cannot be any darker than 28% VLT. You cannot place a material that is white, yellow, or red on your rear windows, and all tint must be labeled with a sticker that has the manufacturer’s name, address, and phone number. M L Lincoln and Son Inc. Windshields and Glass provides Nevada drivers information on their tint levels, and has been around since 1946. Another Nevada tinting provider, Southern Nevada Glass & Mirror Inc., states that the application must meet the requirements of all state and federal motor vehicle codes and laws. We recommend seeking assistance from these dedicated tint providers if you need help navigating the Nevada laws on window tinting. The back windows of your vehicle can have a maximum VLT of 28%. Like the rear windows, no material may have a white, yellow or red tint. The Nevada DMV also requires manufacturers or distributors of tinted material to provide the name, address, and telephone number. Window tint film made of dyed or unwoven fabric, plastic material, or other adhesives improperly applied will not be permitted on any of your windows. Grilles, tape, paint or other materials that are attached directly to the window will not be tolerated by the Nevada DMV either. The Nevada DMV has provided a detailed guide that can be downloaded on their website.
Advantages of Legal Tint
The legal tint in Nevada offers a range of benefits that go beyond basic aesthetics. Complying with the law not only keeps you safe from potential tickets, but it also provides several advantages that can improve your overall driving experience.
One major benefit of legal tint is its ability to block harmful UV rays from the sun. Window films containing UV blockers can help prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancers caused by prolonged sun exposure. This is especially important for those who spend long hours on the road, such as rideshare drivers and sales representatives, as they are at a higher risk of sun damage.
Legal tint can also provide greater privacy while driving, as it makes it more difficult for passersby to see inside your vehicle. This added layer of privacy can make you feel more secure when parked in an unfamiliar area, protecting your valuable possessions from curious eyes.
In addition, legal tint can help keep the interior of your car at a comfortable temperature. The sun can heat up the cabin of your vehicle quickly on a hot day, making it uncomfortable for passengers. Window films that meet legal requirements reflect heat away from your vehicle, keeping you cooler and reducing your reliance on air conditioning. This can be especially beneficial when your car has been parked outdoors for long periods.
In summary, legal tint in Nevada offers a number of advantages, such as UV protection, increased privacy, and temperature regulation, that can enhance your driving experience. Adhering to the law by choosing a tint density that complies with Nevada regulations is essential to enjoy these benefits without risking the potential fines that come with illegal tint.
Penalties for Illegal Tint
If after reading the above you are still wasting you’re time by driving around in a vehicle with illegal tint, you probably need to read this part of the article. A violation of NRS 484.784 is a misdemeanor. If you’re stopped with illegal tint, you will generally be issued a fix-it ticket and usually get the opportunity to remove the tint properly. That means you would simply go to a window tint company and tell them to remove the illegal tint and replace it in compliance with NRS 484.784. You’d then take the receipt to the court and probably pay a small fine and never be heard from again regarding the tint ticket. If you don’t or can’t fix it, you typically have to fight the ticket. You can either defend against it or enter a guilty plea and challenge the constitutionality of the statute later on a motion to dismiss. Either way , I wouldn’t recommend spending any more than a couple hundred bucks on a lawyer because the fine is really about all the cost you’re looking at if you plead guilty. Every once in a while there are cases or warrants for a fix-it ticket that are not treated like a fix-it ticket. If that happens to you all I can say is check your options with a good lawyer. In that case you need to consult a lawyer who handles criminal defense cases and can help you with the worst of your possible outcomes. It’s important to remove illegal tint even if you don’t get a ticket. Nothing is for certain, but police officers routinely make note of vehicles that are in violation of the tint laws. They may keep an eye on you to see if you are doing other things worth stopping you for. If you’re stopped for any reason other than tint, you’re going to have that hanging over your head too. Get rid of it. If you don’t know how, you probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances for Tint
Certain situations allow for exceptions to the Nevada Tint Law regulations, including medical exemptions that grant drivers an exemption from window tinting laws. This article will cover the general rules surrounding these exemptions and special cases, as well as how to obtain them. Medical exemptions are available to individuals who have a medical need for darker window tint. Qualifying conditions may include light sensitivity, an autoimmune skin condition, or an eye condition that requires driving at night. You may obtain window tint exemptions through the Nevada DMV. A doctor will need to complete the state-mandated Medical Exemption Form. Complete and submit the form to the DMV for consideration; you will be billed for a low cost registration fee, at which point you will or will not receive exemption stickers for your exemption status. Your vehicle will then be exempt from any and all tint laws in the state. Unlike other states, Nevada offers no circumvention exemptions for use of legal window tinting on windshields. All of the same regulations apply to windshield tinting as they would to tint on side windows or rear windows. The only exception made for vehicle owners is the know-your-tint-exempt symbol required on all tinted vehicles in order to avoid window tint inspections.
Selecting a Tint Shop in Nevada
Becoming familiar with the laws, restrictions, and pitfalls of Nevada’s window tinting regulations is a good way to ensure that you comply with these guidelines. If you have determined that you are in need of professional window tinting, you might wish to learn more about all of the options available to better understand how to choose a window tinting service that can meet your needs in an efficient and compliant manner.
First, it is important to ask any potential tinting company whether they are familiar with Nevada’s window tint regulations. Client privacy and protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays can be valued, but not at the expense of noncompliance. It may even be wise to ask for a copy of the Nevada window tinting regulations to be provided for review prior to consultation. The tint company should also be well-versed in Nevada state regulations, as some alternative rules (for tinted car registration, for example) may apply outside of window tinting regulations.
Second, it is advisable to speak with existing customers to see if there are any reported consumer experiences with the tinting company . This is valuable to help gauge whether the company has a history of successful tinting jobs without incident or complaint. In addition, review customer feedback and organization profiles on independent review sites like Google, Yelp, or AngiesList. Of course, you should not only look at the rave reviews of the window tinting company and pay close attention to those clients that were dissatisfied. Generally, however, consumers look to leave positive reviews and have a vested interest in praising their tinting experiences.
Finally, ask about the warranty the window tinting company provides. Nevada law requires that the window film used for tinting, regardless of company, prohibits "peeling, bubbling, discoloration, adhesive failure and delamination," which includes remnants of installation adhesive that can mar the appearance of the tinted window. If the company you’ve chosen has a warranty that their product and tinting services do not peel, bubble, discolor, fail to adhere, or delaminate from the vehicle, then you should be good-to-go.