Introduction to Window Tint in Georgia
Understanding Georgia’s Legal Tint Limits: A Complete Guide to Window Tint Laws
When it comes to safety, practicality, or style, window tint can be one of your best assets when it comes to your vehicle. Factors like sun exposure, bleach too much sunlight, temperature during summer or winter, and climate systems are just a few things that can devalue your car over time. Georgia’s window tint laws help combat these situations, as well as provide some much-needed level of privacy for those who want to avoid prying eyes. However, if you are just moving here, you’ll want to be very familiar with the laws regarding window tint in order to avoid any legal penalties as a result of not abiding by these window tint restrictions.
When it comes to window tint restrictions in Georgia, it’s important to note that these rules serve a few purposes. The first is to ensure that every driver has the maximum amount of vision available so that everybody can see obstacles on the road and drive safely at all times . If the tint is too dark, this becomes next to impossible, and therefore, tinted windows are not allowed if they can put others in danger of collision or injury. You are legally obligated to remove window tint that obstructs your ability to safely operate your vehicle.
The second reason these laws exist is to help law enforcement identify those who may be dangerous or untrustworthy. Even a tinted window can tell officers exactly who it is they are dealing with – such as if the individual is pointing a firearm from behind the tint of the vehicle window. Even with minimal window tint, an officer knows that they need to approach the vehicle with added precaution and from a safer distance until they know the driver means them no harm.
Take a moment to review the different percentages of tint you are legally allowed to have on your vehicle before you travel to Georgia or receive a moving citation in the state of Georgia.
Legal Tint for Passenger Vehicles in Georgia
Legal tint limits for passenger vehicles in GA are as follows: Windshield – Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield, Any darkness can be used above the AS-1 line or the top 20 centimeters of the light-acception line, Over the top is allowed. Front Passenger Window – Must have more than 32 percent of light transmission. Back Passenger Window – Must have more than 32 percent of light transmission. Rear Window – Must have more than 32 percent of light transmission. Windshield – Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield, Any darkness can be used above the AS-1 line or the top 20 centimeters of the light-acception line, Over the top is allowed. Back windshield or passenger window – No limit on how dark the tint may be, Just as long as it passes the 32 percent light transmittance test. Side mirrors are required if back windows or rear windows are tinted.
Window Tint Limits for Non-passenger Vehicles
Georgia’s tint restrictions for non-passenger vehicles are classified as "multi-purpose vehicles", which are trucks, SUVs, vans and buses. The law requires that a multi-purpose vehicle should have a window tint that must show at least 32% of light transmission for windshields, side windows to the rear, and rear windows, and a high reflective tint of no more than 20% for these windows, with no limits being set by law on the tint darkness after-market window film.
Your vehicle can have a non-reflective tint on the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-IS factory line. For side mirrors, it is only required that the car must have a tint line on both rear view mirrors, which must also be in accordance with factory requirements, without specifying any other restrictions.
Penalties Against Tint Violations in the State of Georgia
As mentioned earlier, the skill of knowing all the particulars involved with tint laws goes beyond a just a few simple rules. In addition to the rules and regulations, windows that are too dark or not tinted properly will come with a heavy price. The most concerning aspect is that failing comply with these tint rules and regulations can potentially cost you a great deal of money. The fines a law enforcement agency in Georgia can levy against someone for their window tint include: $25. If you fail to comply within 10 days, the law enforcement agency can charge an additional $100 in fines. The total potential amount of fines is $125. In addition to the fines, you will also face a daily penalty until you comply with tint laws given to you by your local law enforcement agency. The daily penalty is a fine amount equivalent to the fines you already have outstanding. If a deputy or officer has reason to believe you are violating tint laws, they can initiate a traffic stop on you. You will be pulled over and cited with a "Tint Da…" warning sticker on your car. This warning sticker carries with it the potential for hefty fines that will never go away unless you comply with tint laws and meet the warning sticker criteria. In order to meet said criteria, you must do one of the following within 10 days of receiving it: Most commonly, people will tend to choose option two. However, they will find out later down the road that taking their vehicle into a tint shop and adding more tint to their windows will not "reset" the tint laws to the correct specifications. They will still have the dangerous and damaging $125 fine to pay, along with an additional $50 in missed deadlines penalties. Additionally, there is the possibility of criminal charges if your tint is found to not fall within proper regulation. Georgia law enforcers are diligent about determining your tint percentage. If they cannot determine your tint percentage by visual inspection, they will likely choose to get a small tint device and measure a sample of your tint. The sample is any area that they specifically choose about your vehicle. If they find that the tint on your windows is darker than what the tint laws allow, then you will be slapped with a $125 fine and potential criminal charges. When things become difficult is when you are in the middle of trying to get the tint corrected when you get caught by another law enforcement agent and ticketed with a new ticket for the same offense. This leads to legal problems and costs of getting a lawyer to help you navigate through these waters. Ultimately, if you get caught in a pickle with your tint, a lawyer will be the only way for you to get out. That is, unless you have the money to pay off thousands in fines. The choice is up to you.
Exceptions and Exemptions to the Tint Laws
Georgia law contains some exemptions and exceptions to its window tint laws. For example, the law provides for exemptions on the effectiveness of a tinted film installed on a windshield if the tinted film is of a specified material or optical property and is secured by glue or adhesive. A further example is for the sun screening device except as provided in Code Section 40-8-73.2, a sun screening device not otherwise complying with the provisions of this Code section may not be used or operated on a motor vehicle unless the tinted film applied to the windshield is secured by glue or adhesive and is either (1) of a material or optical property other than that permitted for use on windshields, or (2) any solar reflective material or film authorized by the director of the Georgia Bureau of Motor Vehicles . Other windows of a passenger vehicle, SUV or van other than tinted windows behind the driver’s seat may be all of one light transmittance percentage. While a sun screening device may further decrease the light transmittance of tinted windows from a percentage not lower than 32 percent down to a percentage not lower than 23 percent. Additional exemptions and/or restrictions apply to those who have "benign medical conditions".
Testing Window Tint: With and without a Professional
As most of you know, the final law enforcement determination of acceptable window tint darkness in Georgia is made by testing your window tint with a device called a "spectrophotometer." If this is the first blog entry you have read, that is fine. Passenger vehicles manufactured after 1986 are required in Georgia to have no greater than 32% tint—this is referred to as "limo tint," and why many officers refer to that legal limit as limo tint. Failure to meet the 32% tint light transmittance can lead to a $1,000 fine, a one-year suspension of your driving privileges and having points assessed on your driving record. The basis for those penalties is contained in O.C.G.A. 40-2-24.
While we do not suggest that you try to avoid these penalties by getting a cheaper or better quality "limo tint," what we do think is that you should know whether your tint is compliant so that you can make an informed decision. If your tint is non-compliant, then you will at least have the knowledge that you should avoid running afoul of "the law" and becoming part of the many statistics of 32% tinted vehicles that have their tint checked by the police.
Enter the "DIY" tester that is available at Lowe’s, Home Depot or online at amazon.com. We have observed many defendants that have provided the results of their DIY tint tests to court during arraignment. Consequently, we understand that they are becoming more common and that many people believe that the results will be accurate.
In fact, we did the following poll on www.tintedwindowsgeorgia.com, and here is the result:
Would you consider "DIYing" your tint test?
YES—Light transmittance testing by DIY (Do it Yourself) spectrophotometers is accurate for criminal law purposes.
14%
NO—DIY tint testers are inaccurate, and the only way to accurately measure light transmittance is to have a tint tester professionally conducted.
86%
Of course, that translates into those people polled, generally believe the professional test is required. In fact, as you see from the poll results, only 14% believed that the DIY spectrophotometer was an accurate device.
We took a step back; waited a few days; and collected all the spare spectrophotometer units that we could find in our offices. Even though they are not all the same "brand name," we were able to collect enough to get a good sampling of different brands. We sent in ten legally tinted walls to have them tested. Four of our spectrophotometers were produced by various manufacturers, but we sent in windows that ranged from 5% to 48% in tint darkness. In order to ensure that the test results were accurate, we sent the windows to the company that creates the tint gauge that we use in our offices for checking compliance with O.C.G.A. 40-2-24. That is panelistswindowtinting.com.
Here is what we found out about the panelistswindowtinting.com professional glass tint meter:
Panelists Window Tinting uses a "SOP" or "Standard Operating Procedure" to control and account for many environmental variables. For example, they allow for individual variability between testers by averaging the results over ten readings. They pre-condition the windows to be tested to ensure that the surfaces are not too cold or hot. They also take into consideration the condition of the window (contaminants or blemishes) and include a calibration sheet that establishes a baseline test value. Many DIY devices are simple; this is complicated.
We had all ten test results for the individuals that we mailed our windows to. Here are the results:
• All ten of the professionally conducted tests were in accordance with O.C.G.A. 40-2-24;
• All ten of the professionally conducted tests produced 32% tint or greater light transmittance;
• All 10 DIY tests were not in accordance with O.C.G.A. 40-2-24;
• Out of the 10 DIY tests, six produced readings of light transmittance of less than 32%, two were at 32% and the other two were at 36%.
Of course, our point is not to pick on the DIY testers. We bought them on Amazon.com and even bought two from Lowe’s. That indicates that people are buying these devices. However, you should be aware that out of our 10 tests, when tested by a company that uses a SOP to ensure accuracy, they were not in conformity with O.C.G.A. 40-2-24.
So when you do decide to have your tint tested, it is best to get a professional to conduct that testing.
Wrap-up: Awareness is Key
In conclusion, staying informed about Georgia’s tinting laws and ensuring that your vehicle meets the regulations are essential in avoiding penalties and maintaining compliance with the law. Failing to adhere to the state’s legal limits can result in costly fines or even having your vehicle put out of service.
To prevent unintentional violations and financial penalties, it is important to stay informed of any legislation changes that may affect Georgia tint limit requirements. Regularly checking the Georgia Department of Driver Services website can help you stay abreast of any updates. It’s also recommended to follow reliable window tinting professionals who stay on top of any shifts in the law, as they can provide insight into latest developments.
Besides keeping up with the law, there are several practical tips to ensure your window tint remains legal in Georgia. First, always have documentation of your tint, including certificates from the manufacturer and the installers . If you are ever pulled over, being able to quickly provide this documentation will help you avoid a ticket. If you are a seller, it’s wise to have certificates of compliance on hand as well.
Next, be aware that Georgia law has different tint requirements for vehicles with multiple windows. When shopping for new tint, consider how much tint you want on each window. Not all windshields are eligible to be tinted, and the legal limit is even lower for front windshields than for side windows. Make sure to choose a shade that adheres to the law to avoid facing potential fines.
Finally, make it a habit to check your vehicle’s tint regularly. Tint can fade over time, and it’s important to keep an eye on that through the life of your vehicle to ensure that your tint is up to standard.
By staying on top of the law and maintaining a regular tint check, you can keep your vehicle looking great and compliant with Georgia’s tint laws!
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