The ins and outs of the Maryland legal tint limit
A quick look at Maryland’s tint laws
Window tinting laws in Maryland set legal limits on the amount or darkness of tint you can have on your vehicle’s windows. In Maryland, vehicles are classified as "multi-purpose passenger vehicles," "passenger cars" and vans, trucks and buses. Newer terminologies that are now commonly used when talking about window tint include VLT, or "visible light transmission." The VLT of a window tint is the amount of light that can actually get through the film. The applicable VLT limit varies from window to window and from vehicle to vehicle .
In Maryland, the VLT restrictions for light transmittance, or VLT, are:
The vehicle categories are quite specific in the law and can be very grey, so it’s a good idea to consult with a legal professional who has handled this type of case if you or someone you know has received a citation for illegal tint in Maryland. While these rules do a good job of protecting all drivers on the road, it’s still important to have the correct tint limit for your vehicle; otherwise, you could suffer the consequences laid out later on in this article.
Importance of window tint limits
The legal limit of window tinting is a hotly debated issue. Some people believe that the darker the windows are, the better, but to those who understand the laws and regulations governing window tinting, this is not so. In fact, the vast majority of window tint laws are designed to promote safe driving conditions for all individuals while on the road. If people had their way, then they’d be able to purchase window tint with zero visibility! This is why window tint laws exist and, more importantly, this is why they are enforced. These laws are meant to keep the general public safe, as darker window films do not allow as much light in. Visibility is reduced, which can pose a safety threat to drivers and their passengers as well as pedestrians. For those who have ordered darker shades of window film, this is not good news, especially for those who have purchased a custom tint shade, as they may have seen the film in person before purchasing. Some window tinting companies may try to ignore the law and tint their customers’ vehicles to the darkest shade available. In doing so, they are going against the law and helping to create dangerous driving conditions for their customers and everyone else on the road. Why is this? It’s simple. The darker the window tint making contact with the windshield, the greater the risk of reduced visibility. If a driver cannot see the road in front or behind them, or is negatively impacted by sun glare, then it stands to reason that they are less likely to see pedestrians, stop signs, or other vehicles. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the police to enforce window tint laws when driving on public roads. And when a motorist does have window tint that is too dark, they could be pulled over by law enforcement. If you are pulled over, then it’s important to know your rights and to understand the laws and regulations governing your state and the tint limits that you need to follow.
Percentage tint for different types of vehicles
For passenger cars, including sedans, a tint darkness of up to 35 percent is permitted across both the window shield and front seat side windows. However, for SUVs and trucks, a tint darkness of up to 30 percent is the legal limit. Vehicles registered with the Maryland Vehicle Administration before July 1, 1995 have slightly different regulations, allowing a tint darkness of 20 percent for passenger cars, trucks and SUVs.
Window tint percentages are measured in VLT or visual light transmission percentage, which refers to the amount of visible light allowed in through the tinted windows. Maryland law specifies tint VLT as the measure of darkness on all vehicle windows. In Maryland, the allowed tint VLT ranges from 5 percent to 70 percent, with the percentages noted above applying to different vehicle types. Front window tint VLT may be expressed as a combination of factors, including:
While most tint products are labeled according to state tint laws, it is a good idea to verify that the window films you purchase and install on your vehicle comply with Maryland law. After all, failing to have legal tint can result in hefty fines. If your vehicle is not registered with the Maryland Vehicle Administration, then consult state tint laws for your corresponding state.
Exceptions and special provisions
However, for drivers and passengers that need extra sun protection because of medical conditions, we must be granted permission to have darker tint on the windows. We need to apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate, which is essentially a note from our optometrist stating the reason why we need to be granted an exception to tint laws. For example, if we suffer from a condition that can be worsened by the glare of the sun or we have had a medical procedure on our skin or eyes that needs the sun blocked out.
Most of these exemptions are given for a standard 35% VLT window tint, while other reasons are granted a 20% tint at most.
It is important to understand that this exception does not apply to windshields for vans, trucks, or SUVs, but rather it only applies to passenger cars and requires the tinting material to be put directly on the window, not the inside of the glass. While it is vital that you read through the certificate and follow all requirements to the letter, it is just as important that you always keep the certificate with you in the vehicle at all times. This certificate is your written evidence of permission from the State of Maryland to have darker tint for medical reasons. The police may request to see proof of permission at any time. Failing to produce this certificate could result in getting pulled over for illegal tinting, receiving a hefty ticket, or both.
For those who do not want to make the application through a medical exemption, there are a few other state-approved reasons to have ceramic window tint instead. Ceramic tint blocks 99% of UV rays while keeping the temperature inside the vehicle a comfortable level.
Penalties for exceeding the tint limit
When it comes to non-compliance with tint limits or laws in Maryland, the penalties can be as inconvenient as the traffic stop itself.
To start, you will be levied a fine of $90 for the initial offense. A second and third offense will net you a $110 and $130 fine respectively. It’s important to note however that several driving offenses given on the same day related to non-compliance will be counted as a single infraction so in most cases you will only pay one fine for each tint violation.
On top of the fines, you will also be given a citation for faulty vehicle equipment. Failure to comply with the citation given may result in eight points against your driver’s license and a nearly automatic suspension for a year . If you are pulled over several times for faulty tint, it may result in a suspension which only courts can lift. All of this in addition to the possibility of being stopped yet again by the law enforcement officer who originally pulled you over for the tint violation the first time. You could end up spending a lot of money in fines, suffering dozens of points against your license or your license being entirely suspended if you are pulled over several times for a tint violation.
Remember, while enforcement of illegal tint may not be the first priority of many officers, for some it’s very much an issue of public safety and will be dealt with more seriously in the future.
Tips to ensure compliance with the tint limit
In order to ensure that your vehicle’s window tinting is compliant with Maryland laws, it is important to understand how to properly measure window tint percentage and identify a professional who can perform the service according to legal requirements. Before taking your vehicle to a tint professional for any new installation, it is important to know how to correctly measure visible light transmittance (VLT) percentage. This is the measurement of how much light is allowed to pass through the tinted window film, expressed as a percentage. Not all tint professionals might be familiar with Maryland window tint percentages, so measuring the VLT yourself is useful in ensuring better understanding and communication between both parties. A VLT of 100% means that no tint at all is applied. A VLT of 0% means that total black film has been applied. As Maryland state law requires that light transmittance (visible light allowing entry through the tinted window) on sedans be no less than 35 percent, you will want to make sure that your VLT falls within acceptable constraints. A common misconception is that the tint should be measured through the inside of your car’s windows, however in order to properly measure the VLT, you should pop your window down and measure the tint from the outside. To measure the VLT, all you will need is a handheld spectrophotometer. This device works by sending out a beam of light through the window. The instrument reads the amount of light that comes back and calculates the VLT based on that measurement. For a more accurate reading, window experts recommend that you take the measurement in the same spot on all windows, and on both sides of the glass. After this initial measurement, roll down the window and take the measurement again. If there are discrepancies, it is likely that the window tint is not installed correctly or is defective, and should be replaced to comply with Maryland tint law. Once you have determined that your vehicle’s window tint percentages are in line with Maryland law, it is important to ensure that your tint professional adheres to Maryland tint laws during installation as well. To do this, choosing a reputable professional is key. When searching for a professional, make sure you check the Better Business Bureau for previous customer complaints. This will not only help you avoid tint professionals who have failed to adhere to laws in the past, but can also shed light on other problems or bad customer service. You can also ask for references from friends or family members. In addition, it is important that you find an installer who understands Maryland tint law before beginning the installation process. This will help to prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication between you and your window professional, which can result in costly (re)application.
Changes coming to Maryland tint laws
Recent Changes and Future Developments in Maryland Window Tint Laws
As with many laws, window tint regulations are subject to change. The Maryland General Assembly often considers new bills that could affect window tint laws, either by changing the legal limit or modifying the enforcement procedures. As of late 2019, there are no major new legislative proposals on the table that would change the window tint limit. However, one bill failed to pass the Senate during the 2019 session that would have made some significant changes to the law. That bill would have allowed individuals who are legally blind to have even darker window tint on their vehicles. While visual acuity of legally blind drivers can be somewhat disputed, the bill apparently had multiple sponsors from both parties, suggesting there is at least some bi-partisan support for changing the tint rules to allow for further darkening. Future changes to the tint rules will likely depend on greater technological advancements in window tinting . There are now electrically conductive tints that would still be within the limits of Maryland law. These newer types of tint—still relatively rare—also allow for easy adjustability when it comes to shading levels. It could be possible in the future for these products to automatically darken based on sunlight levels, which could give drivers a good level of flexibility in the summer months. While these products are still prohibitively expensive for many average vehicle owners in Maryland, it seems likely advancements will continue to be pursued. The future is always in flux, but it seems relatively unlikely there will be any changes in the tint limit for some time. The only thing drivers can do is be aware of the requirements, check their tint (especially as older tint products age and deteriorate), and ensure they do not drive with illegally tinted windows as long as the laws remain as they are.