Temecula Window Tinting Laws
A few years back my younger brother graduated from high school. His gift? A new, all black, Hyundai with tinted windows and moon-roof. The car was beautiful, sleek and luxurious, with only a handful of previously owned miles on it. In my own envious state (I had a white car at the time and had been itching to get my hands on a black one), I watched, anxious for the moment that I could get behind the wheel and give the car a whirl. I didn’t need to wait long, however, that very night I found myself dropping my brother off at his grad-nite in his new car, and as we flew down the highway, with the nearly blacked out windows rolled up and the music going it felt like we were in nothing short of a rave.
Unfortunately, the excitement over his new car was short lived. He received his first ticket only a short two weeks after the car was gifted to him, and a second ticket shortly after. The citation? Not for speeding, running stop signs, or parking illegally, no his tickets came from a very simple, unsuspecting law: his windows were too dark. Having bought his car from a dealership in Temecula, my mom and dad were shocked to find that they would sell a car with windows tinted too dark, leaving them footing the bill for the ticket. Living in southern California, it’s somewhat surprising to find that the Temecula window tinting laws are as strict as they happen to be. With a hot sun that often causes damage to not only the car’s interior but to the person’s skin, it’s unfortunate that windows follow such stringent rules.
However, stringent or not, the law is the law, and perhaps, by following these tips of the Temecula window tinting laws, you won’t find yourself in the same position as my own family.
Window Tint Darkness:
In California as well as Temecula, window tinting laws are based off of the VLT (Visible Light Transmission) and can sometimes differ between cars. The tint darkness for sedans, SUVs, and vans are as follows:
- All vehicles must allow more than 70% of light in through the front side windows
- All windshield may only have window tinting in the top four inches of the window
- There is no light specific percentage for back side windows and the rear windows of any of these vehicles.
Window Tint Reflections:
Window tinting, when done correctly, can also reduce heat by using a certain level of reflection in the tint itself. Temecula window tinting laws are strict, however, and should be paid attention wherever necessary. For sedans, SUVs, and vans tint reflection should not be more than a standard window on all front and backside windows of any vehicle.
Additionally:
There are several important laws pertaining to tint, and as such should be considered when choosing a car that has been used previously (or even if you have a desire to tint your windows yourself).
- All vehicles with a tinted rear window must have dual side mirrors
- Red, amber, and blue tint colors are not permitted in the state of California
- If you are adding tinted film you must have a certificate from a certified tinting specialist
Hire A Specialist:
These days there are many “certified” specialists who will perform window tinting for cheap. Don’t let yourself get swindled, do your research beforehand, and know the laws before you go in and let yourself get talked into blackout windows. Not only will you find yourself paying a hefty fine before you know it, but you’ll also be required to pay to have your tinted windows stripped and redone most likely out of your own pocket.
Ask Questions:
Are you purchasing your vehicle used? Unless you go through a dealership offering only new cars, you’re likely to run into the trouble of having a car-dealer who isn’t as privy to the laws as you might hope. Be careful when you go car shopping—if the tint seems to dark and good to be true, ask your dealer if they know anything about the window tint laws in your area. If you’re in the area, ask if they can recommend a Temecula window tinting specialist who might be willing to come and take a look at the car in question. While a lot of dealerships will know the answers off-handedly, a lot might not even think twice unless you know to ask. Purchasing a car is already expensive enough, don’t add to the overall sale price by adding fines and window tinting services into the mix. Instead, know what to ask before you go.
Don’t Be Afraid:
Despite the laws, window tinting is not as near a hassle as it seems. While it can be pricey to fix when not done correctly, it is worth looking into. Do you have a baby who you want to keep from harmful UVA rays as much as possible? Or maybe you just have kids in the backseat frequently that you’d prefer to keep the sun’s glare off of. Perhaps it’s just a simple matter of wanting to achieve that sleek black look—you know the one—it’s often only available on luxury cars and keeps anyone from looking in. No matter the reason, by finding a certified window tint specialist, you’ll be ready to go—with the sun’s harmful rays out of your way.
Unlawful tinting can come with hefty fines, as was the case with my brother. Though we were able to get the dealership to not only pay for the tickets, but to waive the cost of tint removal and proper tint placement, it added an unneeded hassle you don’t often want to find when excited over your new car. Temecula window tinting does not to be an over costly affair, however, and by choosing the right specialist in your area you’ll spare yourself of headaches and your valuable dollar, but a lot of time that you cannot quickly get back.