For many drivers, customizing a car after purchasing it is one of the most exhilarating parts of owning a vehicle. Few things make a public statement piece quite like a motor vehicle. Some drivers want to get their windows tinted but are unsure of the laws surrounding the practice.
Getting Your Car Windows Tinted Is Legal In Illinois
Illinois enacted its first window tint law in 2009, and the Illinois General Assembly passed a law allowing drivers to get their car windows tinted.
However, the law did make one exception: no vehicle is allowed to have any sort of tinting on the front windshield. To prevent sun glare, “a nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield,” as long as it doesn’t extend further than six inches down from the top.
Moreover, the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State makes it clear that anyone who is suffering from a photosensitivity disease (like albinism) and can prove their diagnosis with a note from a licensed physician, can get appropriate tints on their front windshield.
Window Tinting Regulations
The darkness of a window tint is measured by a metric known as VLT, or visible light transmission. The lower the VLT number, the darker the tint, and the less light allowed in by the tint.
The allowed VLTs on car window tints are as follows:
- Front Windows: These tints must allow 35% of the light in, meaning the VLT cannot be lower than 35
- Rear Windows: These tints must allow 35% of the light in, meaning the VLT cannot be lower than 35
- Rear Windshield: These tints must allow 35% of the light in, meaning the VLT cannot be lower than 35
The allowed VLTs on vans and SUVs are as follows:
- Front Windows: These tints must allow 50% of the light in, meaning the VLT cannot be lower than 50
- Rear Windows: Any VLT shade is acceptable
- Rear Windshield: Any VLT shade is acceptable
Having windows tinted too much is not only against the law but can also increase the risk of an accident.
Alternatively, a truck or SUV driver can have front windows at 50 VLT as long as the rear windows and rear windshield have a VLT of no lower than 30.
Additionally, window tints cannot be reflective on any vehicle, regardless of the VLT.
Other Rules And Regulations
There are other rules and regulations surrounding window tinting:
- Certifications: In Illinois, a tint manufacturer is not required to certify the film they sell
- Variances: A 5% variance in either direction is allowed, to give room for a margin of error
- Colors: Window tints can come in all colors
- Side Mirrors: Dual side mirrors must be placed on the vehicle if the back windows are tinted
- Stickers: While it is okay to have a sticker on the vehicle that declares the window tints are legal, it is not required
Check with your local law enforcement if you are unsure if the window tints you purchased are legal in Illinois.
Follow The Laws — Or It Can Be Costly
There are many rules about window tints in Illinois, and not following them can be costly. Illegal tints are considered a petty offense and can result in hefty fines of up to $500. They can also increase the risk of catastrophic accidents. Make sure to follow the laws in Illinois before putting window tints on your motor vehicle. Additionally, if you are injured in a crash with a vehicle with illegal tints, consider reaching out to a knowledgeable legal professional.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers At Joel E. Brown, P.C. in Peoria, IL for Assistance Today
To learn more, contact our skilled personal injury attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located in Peoria and proudly serve Peoria County, IL, and the neighboring communities.
Joel E. Brown, P.C
416 Main Street Suite 1300, Peoria, IL 61602
(309) 673 4357
Available 24/7