New Tint Laws

[SMKR]

Will you fail if the windows dont roll down?

yes, i was failed once for unable to roll down (i claimed) and for unable to roll up (i claimed)

[Turbosvo]

Will you fail if the windows dont roll down?

I guess that is up to the inspector, If i personally feel that someone pulled a fuse or something for it not to roll down for me to measure the darkness of the tint, I'll fail it.

[motoman]

Revised window tint laws effective September 1, 2009.

What are the actual state driving laws for after-market window tinting?

Texas Laws Concerning Sunscreening Devices
Section 547.613 of the Texas Transportation Code makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle with an object or material (including a sunscreening device) attached to the windshield, rear, or side windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s visibility.

Section 547.613 also makes it a misdemeanor for any person to apply any material (including a sunscreening device) that changes the color or reduces the light transmission of any vehicle window.



Windshield
Sunscreening devices cannot be applied to the windshield unless the conditions below are met.

1.Sunscreening devices must be applied above the AS-1 line. If there is no AS-1 line, sunscreening devices must end five inches below the top of the windshield. If the AS-1 line is less than five inches from the top of the windshield, it will mark the end of the permissible area. If the AS-1 line is more than five inches from the top pf the windshield the five inch measurement will mark the end of the permissible area.

2.Sunscreening devices may not be red, amber, or blue in color.


3.Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.


4.Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

5.A clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield without a medical exemption being required.

Side Windows to The Right and Left of The Driver
Sunscreening devices can be applied to the side windows to the right and left of the driver if the following conditions are met.

1.Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.

2.Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

Side Windows to The Rear of The Driver
(Revised September 1, 2009)
These windows are completely exempted from regulation under the Texas Transportation Code. Reference Legislation: Senate Bill 589 (PDF)

Rear Window
A sunscreening device can be applied to the rear window of the vehicle if the following conditions are met.

1.If a motor vehicle is equipped with an outside mirror on each side of the vehicle that reflects to the vehicle operator a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle then there are no restrictions regarding the sunscreening devices applied to the rear window.


2.If a motor vehicle is not equipped with such mirrors then the rear window must meet the following standards: Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

Does my window require a window tint label?
In the past, the language of 547.609 of the Texas Transportation Code was interpreted by the Department as requiring one label for one car regardless of how many windows had sunscreening devices applied to them. As a result, in Chapter 21 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) we have only required that one label be attached to the rearmost, bottom corner of the driver’s side window of the vehicle. The only information required on those labels by the Department was the manufacturer’s name and a statement indicating that the sunscreening device met our standards (“Complies with DPS” or “Complies with 37 Texas Administrative Code (TAC)”).

The new amendments to 547 of the Texas Transportation Code make the legislature’s intent more clear. The language appears to indicate that these labels should be applied to every window to which a sunscreening device is applied. As a result, Vehicle Inspection is in the process of rewriting Chapter 21 TAC to require labels on every window to which a sunscreening device is applied. The new information required on the label has not been completely determined. It must have a statement indicating that the film with which it is applied meets Texas Transportation Code 547.613(b) standards. Vehicle Inspection is still deciding what kind of installer information to include.

[fordracing19]

I guess that is up to the inspector, If i personally feel that someone pulled a fuse or something for it not to roll down for me to measure the darkness of the tint, I'll fail it.

I do the same.

[motoman]

I guess that is up to the inspector, If i personally feel that someone pulled a fuse or something for it not to roll down for me to measure the darkness of the tint, I'll fail it.

I do the same.

Just curious, am I required by law to have working windows to pass inspection? My window motors are out in my truck and I just haven't taken the time to get them replaced, so the windows won't roll down.

[Chili]

Just curious, am I required by law to have working windows to pass inspection? My window motors are out in my truck and I just haven't taken the time to get them replaced, so the windows won't roll down.

I don't see why rolling down would be an issue. In that case you aren't trying to avoid the tint issue.

[motoman]

I don't see why rolling down would be an issue. In that case you aren't trying to avoid the tint issue.

Figured it's better to double check. I've already put almost $600 into the truck for new tires just to make it pass inspection. I've got another $200-$400 to put into new brakes all the way around to get it to pass.

[HarrisonTX]

No one knows the TTT (true Texas Tint) law. NO ONE!

[Stunter Bob]

43% is the limit in Utah, Crazy mormons

[jluv]

I don't see why rolling down would be an issue. In that case you aren't trying to avoid the tint issue.

They can't get the tester over the window edge if it won't roll down. Same if it won't roll up. As proven in this thread, they can fail your shit if they can't test it. The pull the fuse trick is an old wives' tale.


This 25% thing sucks. I purposefully had the windows on the front of my Explorer changed to be much lighter than the rest of them, even though I prefer the uniform look. They used to be legal, and now they aren't.

Worse, I got a surprise when I took the F250 to get inspected a couple of weeks ago. The front windows are not very dark at all, but they apparently didn't meet the 25% requirement. Your windows have to be very light to pass now.

I even took my shit to a couple of different shops, including one that passed it last year with a wink and a nudge, and another one that is a "mom and pop" type place. Both said they couldn't pass it now. I guess I don't blame them. But if I accidently somehow got a PM about a place in the mid-cities area that is more lax, I wouldn't be angry about said PM. Just sayin'!

[Juiced4v]

You forgot to leave a 12pk on the seat

[Chili]

They can't get the tester over the window edge if it won't roll down. Same if it won't roll up. As proven in this thread, they can fail your shit if they can't test it. The pull the fuse trick is an old wives' tale.

That makes sense.. I was thinking about our old Mustang and it didn't have window frames, obviously.

[Sean88gt]

I bring a doctor's note and and look particularly pale.

[A_A_G]

They only check the front driver side right? I'm seriously considering buying another driver side window and installing it for the inspection, then put my original back in when I get home.

[motoman]

Just curious, what age vehicle only needs a safety inspection?