Tennessee Window Tinting Laws Explained

Overview of Tennessee Window Tinting Laws

As in other states, window tinting on passenger vehicles in Tennessee must comply with regulations issued by the Department of Safety and the county clerks’ offices. Since 1992, such regulations prohibit tinting the windshield above the AS-1 line (or where there is no AS-1 line, above the uppermost AS-1 line specified in the manufacturer’s certified manufacturer’s heat rejection certification standards); the tint on the windshield cannot be darker than 35 percent on any other part of the windshield.
The tinting material on the front roll-down windows must comply with the same standard, i.e., 35 percent. A 40 percent tint is permissible if certified and labeled by the manufacturer as such. The tint on windows to the rear of the driver’s seat must not be darker than 12 percent; and there is no tint limit for the rear window. There can be decals, stickers or other items along the edges of the windshield, provided they take up no more than five inches in total. Decals can be no larger than five inches by six inches and cannot be attached to the tinted portion of the windshield. If the tinted portion of the windshield has a gradient, the decal or sticker can be no larger than 4.5 inches by 5.5 inches.
In the state’s 2009 legislative session , the General Assembly considered a bill allowing for "completely tinted" vehicles in which the original factory equipment windshield glass would be replaced by laminated safety glass treatment methods so that the resulting glass would be able to withstand the pressure needed for proper lamination. Windshields manufactured this way would also have a substantially similar degree of visual light transmission as the original factory equipment windshield glass. The bill’s proponents contended that the resulting windshield would enable better visibility than what the law currently allows. The bill received Little Rock Garrison’s House Transportation Committee, but there was not a subsequent public hearing on the bill and it was not sent to the floor of the House for a vote. The bill died in committee.
A manufacturer’s certification is required in order to know whether a window tint complies with the law. The law is, in its letter, unambiguous in providing that a vehicle owner cannot have on windows of factory equipment compliance unless the tint is certified, labeled and bears a certificate for the specific motor vehicle. These must be readily visible at all times from outside the vehicle.
The law provides exceptions for specified types of vehicles, including vans and buses. A violation of the window tinting regulations is a Class C Misdemeanor, the penalty for which is imprisonment for 30 days or a fine of $50.00.

Permissible Tint Levels for Various Vehicles

In Tennessee, all passenger vehicles are subject to specific percentage limits for legal tint on the front and back windows. The key here is that each vehicle category has its own allowable percentage level of tint and several different types of vehicles fall into each category. For sedans or passenger cars, a tint darkness of 35% VLT is permissible. SUVs, vans and trucks are permitted a tint darkness of 20% VLT. The clearest tint you can have for the rear window of a passenger car is 0% VLT. Note that the darkest amount of tint legally allowed comes with 0% VLT, which is more commonly known as "limo tint."
The visual light transmission (VLT) percentage of a particular window film indicates how much visible light will pass through the window. A legal front tint that allows 35% of the light to come through will block 65% of the light. A legal tint of 20% allows 20% of the light through, blocking 80% of the light.
For the rear windows on SUVs and trucks, the same 0% tint allowance extend. That means that no more than 5% of the light must be let through those windows. On double cab trucks, the percentage of tint allowed for the back windows increases to 20%. Cabin semi trucks are also allowed to have 20% tint, but no tint can be applied on the windshield.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

As with most rules, there are a few exceptions to the legal window tinting laws in TN. Certain situations are exempt from normal tinting regulations. For example, a person who can prove that they are affected by bright sunlight and need window tint to protect their health can apply for an exemption to the tint regulations. The procedure for obtaining this exception requires the vehicle owner to fill out and submit a County Court form, which must be signed by a physician. The Clerk of the Court will file the form, which will serve as your exemption to the normal tint laws. Drivers who are pulled over and are found to have windows tinted beyond permissible levels may be cited for a violation but can show the exemption form to prevent the fine from being imposed.
Another type of exemption is available for vintage cars. Some car owners wish to add a decorative tint to their older vehicles to increase its aesthetic appeal. While this may not seem like health rehabilitation, window tint is still for sale at shops that works in the same way as that of standard automotive glass tint and it can make your old car look new again.
As an added benefit, many vintage car tinting kits do meet state tint laws. Remember, replacement tint can be a bit darker than the tint on the factory windows, as discussed below, but it still must meet legal tint level standards.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The consequences of non-compliance can vary depending on the specific laws and regulations in place in Tennessee, as well as the severity of the infraction. However, in general, a first-time offense for violating window tint laws in Tennessee can result in a fine ranging from $100 to $200. Repeated violations or more serious infractions may result in higher fines or other penalties, including potential moving violations on the driver’s record. In extreme cases, repeated or severe violations may result in a court appearance.
As far as enforcement goes, Tennessee window tint laws are typically enforced by local law enforcement agencies . For instance, if a police officer pulls someone over for a traffic violation and suspects that the window tint on the vehicle may be too dark or reflective, the officer may choose to measure the window tint using a tint meter. If the reading is above the legal limit, the driver may be issued a citation.
Keep in mind, however, that while some officers may enforce window tint laws on a case-by-case basis, others may choose not to. Additionally, a local city ordinances might be more restrictive than Tennessee’s state laws, which could lead to confusion if you drive across municipal borders.
By understanding Tennessee’s window tint laws and the potential consequences of non-compliance, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your vehicle’s window tint.

Guidelines for Selecting Window Tint

The crucial first step is to determine which benefits are most important, because this drives your choice of films. For instance, if you’re looking for the best heat and UV protection, layered films will serve you better than many dyed (which block heat) or metalized (which are usually not able to be layered) films. However, if you’re looking for a color screen, a dyed film is the likely answer. And if you want maximum privacy while being able to see out of your car, some spectrally selective films can provide one-way vision.
The key is to understand that all of the beneficial optical qualities of film (heat, UV and glare protection, color and privacy) are not available in any one type of film. Instead, the single most important variable which will affect your choice of films will be whether it’s easy to see out of your car or not. If it’s hard to see out of, it’s because the film isn’t performing at its maximum capacity, so you’re paying for a benefit that you’re not getting.
Remember also, that there are no such things as "lifetime" guarantees. Films may have a lifetime warranty but this is the life of the film – not yours. Today, most manufacturers are using the average consumer lifespan (around five years) to determine their lifetimes. Warranties are only as good as the companies who stand behind them, so choose a reputable dealer with a fine track record from your community.
Although tinted windows make your car look better, help the interior, help keep you cool, and protect your investment, it is window film’s ability to block ultraviolet rays that is the most important benefit to your health. On a sunny day, the majority of harmful ultraviolet rays come through your windshield. Most windows are able to block a small percentage of the sun’s rays, however, they do not block all UV rays. Without protecting your eyes with sunglasses and your skin with protective clothing, tinting your windows is the best way to help protect you from damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Locating Professional Window Tinting Services

Like finding a reliable mechanic for your vehicle, or a trusted physician for your health care needs, you cannot choose window tinting services lightly. In the state of Tennessee, not just any tint will do, and not just any contractor will satisfy the legal requirements. You don’t want a contractor who promises that your tint will be "just as dark as a federal government window." That commercial/industrial tint is only legal for non-passenger automobiles, and is illegal for all other vehicles registered in the state. Neither do you want a contractor who refuses to perform a test of the tint’s transmission rates; this is a flag that he is using too much darkest legal tint to provide shade in your vehicle, and your subsequent request for a recut or replacement will likely be rebuffed. Look for contractors who are certified by the window film association; they’re listed by certified business names and state. Reputable retailers will also be certified by various trade organizations , including Fiberglass Window and Metal Railing (FWMRA), the National Glass Association (NGA), and the International Window Film Association (IWFA). IWFA members commit to observing the best practices in the industry, from client relations to security of deposits to high levels of finance, and should be vetted before contracts are issued. Your final selection should be based on warranties offered for both materials and services, product certification marks, collection of the proper taxes, and the level of contractually specified guarantees. Only legitimate contractors will have access to the manufacture’s warranty on rolls of tint film, and will gladly provide you with a copy. Evaluate your bids against these factors, rather than the bottom line alone, and avoid excessive deposits and cash payments (that cannot be traced) so that you will have recourse if your state’s tinting laws are not satisfied.