Know the Florida Tint Laws: How Dark Is Too Dark

Solar Shade Blogger • Dec 02, 2019

If you're thinking about adding some tint to your ride, you might want to check out the legal regulations. Click here for a breakdown of the Florida tint laws.

If you live in Florida, you may be used to the heat and humidity. You already know the interior of your parked car seems to bake you alive as soon as you get in. There is an answer to the intensity of heat you feel when you get in your car.

Tinted windows offer a wealth of protection from the sun. The benefits of this protection help your vehicle cool off quickly so you can drive in comfort. To achieve this comfort level, you need to know about the Florida tint laws.

Once you know Florida tint laws, you can move forward with your window tinting needs and cool off in style and comfort.

Florida Tint Laws

Every state has its version of tint laws for vehicles. It's important to know the percentage of darkness and reflection your vehicle windows are allowed to have. Florida may have some of the most generous window tint laws due to the state's incredibly hot and humid weather most of year.

Florida window tint law states cars must follow:

Restriction of window tint to top AS-1 line
Visual Light Transmission (VLT) over 28%
Front side windows VLT over 28%
Backside windows VLT over 15%
Rear windows over VLT 15%
Backside windows must have the tint applied six inches from the top
Rear windows must have tint applied six inches from the top

Any multi-purpose vehicle can have their back side windows and rear windows VLT over 6%.

The Rules and Regulations for Other Window Tints on Vehicles

Florida law on tint does have other rules and regulations you need to be aware of. These rules and regulations apply to the tinted window for other sections of your car, van, or SUV. Some of the rules and regulations are listed below:

Some states restrict certain colors for tinted windows, but Florida doesn't
Some states require certification for tint manufacturers, but Florida doesn't
Florida does require a sticker on your driver's side door jamb identifying your legal levels of tint
Florida requires dual mirrors on the side if your rear windows are tinted
There are medical exemptions to get special tint exceeding allowed levels

It's important to choose the right company when you are tinting your vehicle's windows. You don't want to go with the company who has the lowest price. You want to go with the company who provides the best quality, knows Florida's tinting laws, and offers competitive prices.

Legal Window Reflection Tint

In addition to tints on the windows of vehicles, Florida law also has rules and regulations on how window tint reflects incoming light. Some people think this is the same as the VLT law. But your vehicle's reflection tint has different measurement values.

In cars, your reflection tint cannot be more than 25% reflective. Your backside windows must have no more than 35% reflective capacity. In SUV and vans, your front side windows cannot be more than 25% reflective.

Your backside windows can't be more than 35% reflective. In 2015, Florida updated their tint window laws, and many people don't realize some of these changes have an impact on your legal limits for tint and reflection levels.

Breaking Florida Window Tinting Laws

There is a multitude of benefits of window tinting. There are also legal consequence if you violate a window tinting rule or regulation. These legal consequences cost you money.

In Florida, anywhere from 10%-20% of state and local law enforcement officers carry a Visible Light Transmission device. This device is called a VLT meter. The VLT meter measures both the darkness and reflectiveness of your window tint.

Florida enacted these laws because if law enforcement cannot see inside your car during a traffic stop, it puts the police officer's safety at risk. It's important to know if a police officer stops you for a VLT offense, they have the right to search your car. Law enforcement can question you about other suspected activities if they choose to do so.

When you do get a ticket for illegal VLT window tint, the fine runs about $116 per ticket. You need to be aware a police officer can choose to write up a ticket for each car window that has illegal VLT tint levels.

Commercial and Residential Tinting

Residents of Florida have learned in addition to getting window tint for their vehicles there are great benefits from getting window film for other units they live, work or use. Many Floridians install protective window film on their boats or home windows. Some Floridians work in commercial buildings which has cool comfort window film.

Commercial building owners discovered years ago that window film reduces the power and intensity of the sun's glaring rays and heat. What's more, it helps cut back on the overall cost of cooling commercial buildings. There are three window films providing exceptional cost savings.

Llumar and Vista Home and Commercial Films are at the top of their class. The window films help save Jacksonville and Lake City area homes and commercial buildings money on their cooling bills. These specialized window films provide your home or work with protection from the worst heat Florida has to offer.

Exceptions to VLT Laws for Window Tinting

There are exceptions to every law, and VLT law is no different. Florida does provide a list of legal exceptions to their VLT laws, rules, and regulations. Some of the exceptions deal with medical conditions.

The window sun-screening tint exclusions are:

medical exemptions
private investigative service vehicles

You will need to get a medical exemption certificate that lists your vehicle's description. The description of your vehicle needs to include:

Vehicle's make
Vehicle's model
Vehicle's year
Vehicle's ID number

You need to keep the medical exemption decal number with the name of the registered owners of the vehicle displayed on your vehicle.

Window Tint When You Want it

The informational guide above has given you Florida tint laws, rules, and regulations. When you decide to move forward with your window tinting needs, it's important you use the company that can give you the best window tinting product and service.

The benefits of using window tint which uses a superior product offering competitive pricing cannot be overstated. Your final window tinting result will provide you with the stylish look you seek. But more importantly, it will give you the cooling comfort you need.

Reach out to one of our window tinting specialists and get a free estimate so you can begin your rewarding window tinting experience.

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