What is 5 Percent Tint
Understanding 5 Percent Tint Laws in Nevada
5% tint is the term used to describe what is colloquially known as "limo tint." It is one of the darkest tints available to consumers. It blocks 95 percent of visible light from the outside, and 5 percent of visible light from inside the vehicle. So while 5 percent tint offers a good degree of privacy, it doesn’t function as a mirror, in that you can see both inside and out at all times.
As is the case with other forms of automotive window tint, 5 percent tint is applied to the inside of the glass. Due to its superior effectiveness, it is often favored by owners of not just limousines, but pick-up trucks and SUVs as well . However, it can be a nuisance to anyone who uses the vehicle on a daily basis, as it makes the already dangerous act of changing lanes or merging a major challenge. For this reason, some jurisdictions will only let you have 5 percent tint on your back windows.
Of course, 5 percent tint is not nearly as common among car windows as windshield tint. In fact, windshield tint is measured in ounces, not percentage. For the most part, cars tend to have windshield tint that is no darker than 35 percent. This is because while windshields are required to have some tint on them, if the tint is too dark then it can negatively affect things like light transmission and visibility.
Overview of Nevada’s Window Tint Laws
Nevada does indeed have a window tint law, which is intended to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know about window tint laws in the state of Nevada. The law states that no person may operate a motor vehicle on a highway with: (a) Any window or windshield which has been coated, treated or tinted with any material or application, otherwise known as "window tint," and the glass of any window or other portion of the vehicle permits less than 35 percent of light in any one window to be in the driver’s field of vision or less than 5 percent of light in a window except for the driver’s side window and the top 5 inches of the driver’s side window. (b) Any window or windshield, except for a sun visor, which has a window tint that is mirrored, has a reflective finish or appears to be reflective. (c) Any window or windshield that is tinted or coated with any material or application that changes the color of light emitted by the motor vehicle’s lights, head lights, turn signals or other lamps. (e) Any windshield on which there are affixed or displayed any stickers, decals, decals or materials which interfere with or obstruct the driver’s clear view of the road, unless required or permitted by law. Failure to comply with Nevada’s tinting restrictions may result in a Class C misdemeanor, a fine of up to $100 and administrative costs related to the violation. If the party fails to pay their fine in a timely manner, they may even be required to spend 30 days in jail and/or have their driver’s license revoked. To avoid any unnecessary penalties, just make sure that you’re following the tinting restrictions outlined by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, and then you’ll have no problem traveling throughout the state. An optically tested film must be used and you must display the manufacturer’s paperwork in the vehicle at all times. The films must conform to the tint requirements listed above.
Is 5 Percent Tint Legal on Vehicles in Nevada
When it comes to 5 percent tint, the answer may surprise you. Tint darkness is measured using Visible Light Transmission, or VLT percentage, and if you’re talking about windows on a passenger vehicle, the law in Nevada states that the front windshield must have no less than 35 percent VLT, while the back windshield may have just 5 percent VLT or no tint at all. This means that 5 percent tint is legal on the back windshield of a passenger vehicle in Nevada. Keep in mind that some states allow more tint darkness on the back window than this, and other states don’t allow any tint at all on the front windshield. However, a windshield strip above the AS-1 line or above the manufacturer’s shade band is expected to measure no more than 5 percent VLT, which many tint shops will be willing to install in order to keep you in compliance with state law. In addition, Nevada law mandates that 5 percent tint not be installed on the front vehicle windows, meaning that you can have no less than 35 percent VLT. All other vehicle windows (except the windshield) in the state must be no darker than 35 percent VLT. As you might expect, there is a special law that stipulates how dark tint can be on vehicles granted a medical waiver for darker window tint, an option allowed for those suffering from certain medical conditions. For these vehicles, Nevada law allows any darkness of window tint so long as the medical waiver is carried in the vehicle at all times.
Exceptions & Special Cases
Several exceptions to the Nevada tint law exist that may apply in your specific situation. Medical exception generally allows persons with special medical conditions to obtain a prescription for darker tint.
To receive a prescription exemption, a vehicle owner must have a medical condition that requires it. Persons with sensitive eyes that cannot be remedied by corrective lenses are sometimes given prescriptions to use tinted window film. Other ailments may require shade prescriptions as well. Medical professionals interested in issuing a tint prescription should be aware of the requirements for doing so in Nevada.
In addition to the list of exceptions from the tint law, the Highway Patrol’s website has qualified a special vehicle classification as eligible for exemption from tint requirements. Vehicles that are designed or used specifically in engineering or construction work are eligible for exemption to the tint rules.
As a professional in the solar shade and window tinting business, I can say with confidence that most tint shops generally stay within 5 percent above the law. There are specialty shops such as Tint NV that go above and beyond the law in helping customers achieve their goals while staying within the law.
I strongly recommend calling ahead to the shop you choose to use because the law is ambiguous. You can also go to tintnv.com for more information about tinting and how it may apply to your vehicle.
Why It’s Important to Comply
Failure to adhere to this law can result in significant fines and penalties. For example, getting stopped in regards to non-compliance can lead to a fine up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1,000 for any subsequent offenses within a five-year period from the date of the first offense. It is important to understand that the police officer who stops you may be able to simply tell you to remove your tint and may also provide you with what is known as a "fix-it ticket" (a ticket that is issued for a specific reason that requires action by the driver to fix). However, a "fix-it ticket" needs to be signed off by the Police Officer and then, later, a Traffic Bureau Sergeant or Lieutenant to ensure compliance allowing you to avoid a court date . Failure to comply with the fix-it ticket within a certain period of time could potentially lead to new penalties and/or court appearance requirements. Fines imposed for compliance typically increase as follows for each additional offense within a five-year period of time from the date of the previous offense date. Further, the law is particularly strict when it comes to compliance for tint on the windshield as there is no opportunity for a fix-it ticket to be issued, nor is there an on-site option built into the law that provides leeway. Furthermore, the tint laws are heavily enforced and with the nature of the law, as it presently exists, any tint located anywhere other than on the upper 5 inches (6 inches for SUVs) of the front windshield, or tinted windows on the sides of the vehicle or rear windshield front and rear of the overall vehicle (including SUVs) is illegal and could lead to a ticket.
How To Check That Your Tint Is Legal
Most car, truck, and SUV owners understand that automotive windows must adhere to certain tint darkening restrictions and police cars and other law enforcement vehicles are also subject to the same chromatic specifications as conventional vehicles that are operated by civilians. Vehicle window tinting has grown in popularity since window manufacturers have produced high-performance film in a variety of shades.
In Nevada, the percentage of tint darkness that is permissible is referred to as visible light transmittance or VLT. Accordingly, it can be useful to know how to measure the current tint percentage of vehicle windows and how to ensure that vehicle windows are in compliance.
Tint darkness is measured using a light meter, an electronic device that is used to measure sunlight. A light meter measures the amount of light that strikes the vehicle window and can be readily purchased from many automotive supply stores. To measure tint darkness the light meter is placed directly on the auto window and certain readings are taken during the day and night. These readings are then recorded and compared to Nevada’s statutory tint specifications.
Vehicle manufacturers that produce tinted glass windows may also produce an AS-1 certificate. This certificate indicates that the window was manufactured with a tint that falls within the range of Nevada’s tint specifications. In addition, the manufacturer’s name and the model number of the vehicle are also included on the AS-1 certificate. An AS-1 certificate is helpful because law enforcement agencies do not have the ability to measure tint darkness using a light meter. A light meter is only mandated for use by certain certified window tinting specialists.
What To Do If Your Tint Is Not Legal
If you have unwittingly purchased a car with tint that is too dark for the law, or you tinted your own vehicle and did not realize that the tint was already too dark, there are some steps for you to take to get the problem resolved effectively. First, it is important to note that 5 percent tint laws for windshields actually require legal tint on either the top of the windshield or the entire windshield. If you like your existing tint but don’t want to have to repeatedly deal with police officers getting you in trouble , it may be most effective to have the tint removed and begin applying legal tint on the windshield.
You have two choices for removal: You can either remove the tint yourself (which is possible using a small razor blade or chemical solution) or you can have a tint removal professional do it for you. These services are offered by window tinting shops. If your tint is not removable, you can then have legal tint reapplied. Even if you had window tint installed by a previous owner, you should work to have it removed by a specialist.
The process is relatively inexpensive for older, used cars. It could be a bit more costly for tinting and installation for a new car. However, it is generally a quick process that provides instant results.
