Nevada Window Tint 101
Window tinting is applying a thin, transparent, or translucent film to your car windows. This film can be applied to the inside, outside, or both sides of the windows and varies in density. The most common type used by Nevada residents are those that are attached to the inside of your window using premium adhesives. Once attached, these films cannot be easily peeled off and generally last for an extended period of time.
In many states, window tinting laws are regulated using VLT percentages. VLT stands for the amount of light that comes through the tinting film and visible light is measured in percentages. VLT is important to understand because many states use it to determine how dark or shaded a tint is , like looking at auto tint shades using the visible light transmission of the spectra a film kit.
Meanwhile, Nevada state law is different from many others. It regulates not only the amount of tint on your windows, but also the reflectivity, or light that is reflected from the window tint film when light strikes the surface of the tint. Light reflectivity is broken down into two categories: the amount of light that is reflected outward from the window tint, and the amount of light that is reflected towards the inside of the vehicle. Each state regulates the rates separately. Nevada’s laws concerning reflectivity are as follows:
Legally Permitted Tint for Automobiles
The legal tint limit for sedans, SUV’s and vans in Nevada are as follows:
Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield. The tint must allow more than 35% of light in.
Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Rear Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
All vehicles (except SUVs) must have a driver side mirror and a passenger side mirror.
SUVs may have any tint darkness on the rear window and behind the front seat, must have side mirrors.
Back Windows: Back side windows must allow more than 15% of light in.
Exceptions and Clarifications
While Nevada law is generally strict about window tinting, there are a few exceptions and special considerations you should be aware of.
Medical conditions: For individuals suffering from certain medical conditions, tinted glass on car windows can be essential for their comfort and safety. For example, people who are particularly sensitive to light or suffer from certain skin conditions may need legal tinted windows to function comfortably in certain situations.
If you’re looking to use window tint for a medical reason, you must first obtain approval from your physician and then the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will need an original authorization from your physician, stating the reason the tint is required. Your doctor needs to require the shaded tint for your safety and well-being, not simply for cosmetic reasons.
Once you have approval, you will be required to obtain a tinted-window sticker that designates your vehicle as one that has been granted permission to carry legal window tint. It is a violation to carry tinted windows without the permit; you could be subject to fines or forced to undo the tinting.
Law enforcement, government vehicles: Law enforcement officers are authorized to operate vehicles with front windows that have a maximum tint limit of 35 percent. This exemption applies to uniformed officers, as well as other government personnel who must wear uniforms while working.
Violations and Penalties
The penalties for violating Nevada’s window tint laws can range from warnings to fines, and even the mandatory removal of window tinting material. Enforcement is often carried out during routine inspections, traffic stops, or during the process of registering a vehicle. When a law enforcement officer suspects that window tint is too dark or that it does not meet legal requirements, they may issue a warning or citation on the spot, which could require the owner to correct the issue within a certain number of days.
The amount of the fine for a window tint violation can vary by jurisdiction, but often starts at around $250. In light of these types of enforcement activities, it is clear that the law is taken seriously by law enforcement in Nevada. The consequences of violating these laws can also be more serious if window tint is linked to illegal activities, such as drug use or trafficking .
A record of a violation could lead to complications down the line, including challenges with vehicle registration and license renewals. For example, if you were pulled over on two or more occasions for the same violation, the court may order you to appear before the DMV to explain why you should be allowed to continue using tinted windows. If you continue to operate your vehicle with tint in violation of the law, you could face additional fines or even have your vehicle flagged for further inspection when you take it in for service.
If you own or are considering installing tinted windows in the state of Nevada, it is a good idea to ensure that you are fully aware of the window tinting laws that govern use of this material. Contact experienced traffic attorneys to ensure that you have all the available facts about Nevada’s tinting laws and how they might apply to you.
How to Apply Legal Tint
When selecting window tint that is compliant with Nevada law, consumers should first consult with a professional window tinting service. Such a consultation will give clients a clear understanding of the legalities without any guesswork. In addition, consumers often receive a discount on tint installation when going through a professional. It is also very important that consumers read the specifications for their selected tinting product. Before purchasing, they should verify that the amount of visible light that will be allowed into their vehicle meets the requisite amounts. Furthermore, consumers should clarify ahead of time whether the tinting will be installed on the interior or outside of the window. While both options are legal, only the outer installation will be cut or damaged if the tint is removed. When having tint applied to any part of a vehicle window, it pays to keep all paperwork in a safe place. In case of a traffic stop, responsible drivers are able to immediately reach for their receipt should law enforcement officers request to verify tint levels. With product information on the receipt, police have no reason to issue a citation.
Keeping Up With and Maintaining Window Tint Laws
Staying updated and monitoring your tint law
One of the key components of an educated consumer is staying updated and moving with changes as they come. It’s simple logic, Window Tint Laws can change, do change and have changed since their inception. Without keeping track of these changes you may end up with a hefty ticket and a humbling trip to the local corrective action school to shed the citation. The most obvious source of an update would be the Nevada Legislature which does meet every 2 years. They are tasked with discussing and voting on law changes. You would think after 40 years of Tint Laws that the Nevada Legislature would touch these laws every 40 years or so but alas they meet more often. There is a lot of pressure from the Legislative Consumer Services to go to the windshield tint as it’s perceived as a health issue. This would obviously be the number one point that you would want to stay abreast of.
Another source of Tint Laws changes would be the consumer safety group. For example CARS was one group in the early inception of Window Tint Laws. They tend to change with the tides often pushing for further regulation of tint laws. Currently I see no push for this but they will appear again somewhere in the mix if the tint shops feel the heavy hand of the CIOT .
Another source of tint law change would be an individual car owner that is pushing a tinted windshield or tinted rear side windows etc that are below the legal percentage. They push and push and push. Sometimes they get it too the legislature and they get a vote. These individual pushes seem to have a long life cycle and are not effective at making it through the process. This would be a difficult way to force window tint changes.
So with all of these law forces why doesn’t Nevada have tinted windshields and windows? There is a good reason and that reason is popped right off of the windshield tint label. You can’t block "x" amount of light else you will be pulled over all the time (in theory). Lawmakers see this and know full well what tinted side windows are going to do. As it stands in Nevada, you can get away with a tinted window where you wouldn’t in any other state.
In short tint laws are a paid for piece of legislation that currently just don’t cut the mustard. If states can’t even seek infringement of tinted windows, then you know that tint windows are not going anywhere.
Another few words on tint law change observation. This is a growing and annual list. Overall, any changes will be made with a special session of the Legislature. I’ll keep this list one year back. Observe changes in 2017 and 2016.
