Window tinting is a popular vehicle modification, providing privacy, UV ray protection, temperature control, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, in Alabama and most states, there are laws regulating window tinting and how dark the tint is allowed to be. Excessively dark window tint can pose risks to road safety by reducing visibility. So law enforcement does pull drivers over to check their window tint and issue citations if it exceeds legal limits.
Knowing the specifics of Alabama’s window tint law can help drivers stay compliant. This includes the darkness allowed on front, back, and side windows, any exceptions, as well as the fines for violations. We’ll examine all of these questions in detail below:
What is the legal window tint limit in Alabama?
Alabama follows a standard window tint law similar to most states. It prohibits aftermarket tint that blocks more than a certain percentage of light on various car windows:
– Front windshield: No aftermarket tint is allowed. Only the factory-installed tint is permitted.
– Front side windows: Must allow more than 32% of light to transmit.
– Back side windows: Must allow more than 32% of light to transmit.
– Back window: Must allow more than 32% of light to transmit.
This 32% VLT (visible light transmission) is a common legal limit across many states. It allows adequate visibility while still offering some of the benefits of tinting.
Are there exceptions to the window tint law in Alabama?
Alabama does make a few exceptions to the window tint limits for certain vehicle types:
– Medical exemptions: Those with a medical condition sensitive to sunlight may qualify for an exemption allowing darker tint. Proper documentation must be carried in the vehicle.
– Military personnel: No limit on tint darkness for active military members. ID must be carried.
– Senior citizens: Alabama residents aged 55 or older may have the front side windows tinted to a minimum of 18% VLT.
– Hearing impaired: Those with hearing impairments may have side mirrors tinted to aid visibility.
Beyond these exceptions, all non-factory window tint must comply with the regular light transmittance percentages.
What are the fines for illegal tint in Alabama?
Drivers caught violating Alabama’s window tint law face the following fines:
– First offense: $50 fine
– Second offense: $100 fine
– Third or subsequent offense: $150 fine
In addition to the fines, the driver will be required to remove the excessively dark tint or have it lightened to come into compliance. This must be done within 10 days of the citation.
Repeated tint violations could also result in misdemeanor charges.
Can you get a fix-it ticket for window tint in Alabama?
Yes, law enforcement officers may issue a fix-it ticket for illegal window tint in Alabama. This allows the driver some time to remove the excess tint instead of immediately paying a fine.
The fix-it ticket will specify the violation and require the driver to remove or lighten the window tint within 10 days. Once remedied, the ticket can be signed off by police to prove compliance.
However, failure to fix the violation within 10 days results in fines and penalties being imposed.
What happens if you don’t fix illegal tint in Alabama?
Drivers who fail to correct illegal window tint on their vehicle within the 10 day fix-it ticket period face escalating punishments in Alabama:
– Upon expiration of the fix-it ticket, the original fine amount becomes due immediately.
– Continued driving with the excessively dark tint can result in being pulled over again and issued another citation carrying a doubled fine.
– Three or more citations for uncorrected illegal tint can potentially be charged as a misdemeanor offense. This brings additional court fees, possible jail time up to 1 year, and a criminal record.
– Accumulation of unpaid fines from window tint citations may also lead to driver’s license suspension.
The moral is that drivers should take window tint compliance seriously and fix any violations promptly to avoid harsher penalties.
What percentage of window tint is allowed on front side windows in Alabama?
On front side windows in Alabama, the minimum light transmittance allowed is 32%. This means the window tint darkness can block no more than 68% of incoming light.
Any aftermarket tinting on front side windows must meet this 32% VLT minimum to be legal. The factory glass with original manufacturer’s tint is exempt.
Going darker than 32% VLT on front side windows risks getting a citation and fines from police when pulled over. Offenders have 10 days to correct excessively dark front side window tint before fines apply.
Can you have window tint on the front windshield in Alabama?
No, Alabama’s window tint law prohibits the use of aftermarket tint films on the front windshield. Only the standard factory-installed windshield is permitted.
This ban on front windshield tinting applies to all vehicles across the board – regular civilian cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, etc. The rare exceptions are specialized medical exemptions with proper documentation.
Drivers caught with aftermarket tint of any kind on the front windshield face a minimum $50 fine. As with illegal tint elsewhere, police may issue a fix-it ticket requiring removal of front windshield tint within 10 days before penalties apply.
What medical conditions allow you to get darker window tint in Alabama?
Alabama allows certain medical exemptions from the legal window tint limits if a doctor certifies the patient has a qualifying condition. The permitted medical conditions include:
– Lupus
– Fibromyalgia
– Melanoma
– Vitiligo
– Albinism
– Photosensitive dermatitis
– Solar urticaria
A signed statement from a licensed physician must be carried in the exempted vehicle stating the person has one of these conditions and requires darker tint treatment as a result.
Beyond these approved medical reasons, no exceptions to Alabama’s window tint restrictions are granted. Even with a doctor’s note, the extra tint allowance is not unlimited – a minimum level of visibility must be maintained.
What percentage window tint is allowed in Alabama?
Here are the legal light transmittance percentages allowed for aftermarket window tint in Alabama:
| Window | Minimum Visible Light Transmission |
| Front windshield | No aftermarket tint allowed |
| Front side windows | 32% |
| Back side windows | 32% |
| Rear window | 32% |
These percentages mean the darkest window tint allowed blocks no more than 68% of incoming light. Exceptions exist for certain medical and military exemptions.
Going darker than the permitted percentages risks a traffic citation and required removal of excess window film.
Do window tint laws apply to the back window in Alabama?
Yes, the 32% VLT minimum transmittance requirement applies to aftermarket tint films on the rear back window in Alabama.
Just like on side windows, any back window tinting darker than 32% visibility is considered illegal and can prompt a traffic stop and citation from police.
Alabama does make a one exception for rear window tint on pickup trucks. If the truck has outside rear view mirrors on both sides, the back window may be tinted to any desired darkness or opacity. This allows privacy for cargo.
But for all other rear windows, the 32% Alabama limit must be followed to avoid issues. As with other violations, drivers can receive a fix-it ticket requiring correction within 10 days.
Is window tint required in Alabama?
No, there is no law in Alabama requiring vehicles to have window tint installed. Tinting is an optional accessory and many cars come from the factory with untinted glass.
Alabama’s window tint law only specifies maximum limits on how dark aftermarket tint can be when voluntarily added by the owner. There is no minimum mandate that vehicles must be tinted to any degree.
So it is completely legal to drive untinted windows in Alabama. However, some level of tint can be beneficial for glare reduction, comfort, and privacy. Most drivers choose to apply light legal tint, but it is not compulsory.
Do window tint laws apply to the front windshield and front side windows in Alabama?
Yes, Alabama’s legal restrictions and limits on aftermarket window tint specifically apply to:
– Front windshield – No aftermarket tint is permitted, only factory installed.
– Front side windows – Must have at least 32% visible light transmission.
These parts of the vehicle have important driver visibility considerations, so Alabama prohibits excessively dark tint. Front side windows may be lightly tinted at the 32% minimum, but the front windshield cannot have any aftermarket films added.
Drivers caught violating these front window rules face a $50 citation, with requirement to remove the illegal tint within 10 days to avoid escalating fines. Exceptions exist only for rare medical exemptions.
What is considered excessive window tint in Alabama?
Any aftermarket tint that blocks more than the legally allowed amount of light is considered excessive in Alabama. Specifically:
– Front windshield: Any aftermarket tint at all is considered excessive since none is permitted.
– Front side windows: Tint limiting light transmittance to less than 32% is excessive.
– Back side windows: Tint reducing visible light below 32% is excessive.
– Back window: Tint reducing visible light below 32% is excessive.
Exceptions exist for certain medical and military exemptions where darker tint is allowed. But for civilian vehicles without special allowance, those light transmittance percentages determine what is deemed excessively dark and illegal tint in Alabama.
Do I need a doctor’s note for window tint exemption in Alabama?
Yes, having darker than the legal limit window tint in Alabama requires a doctor’s note to qualify for a medical exemption.
The signed physician’s statement must certify that you have one of the approved medical conditions including lupus, skin cancer, photosensitivity disorders, etc. This letter must be presented when requested to justify the darker tint.
Alabama law only recognizes medical exemptions from window tint restrictions when proper documentation from a licensed professional is carried in the exempted vehicle.
Verbal claims of having a qualifying condition are not sufficient – the doctor’s note is required or police can still issue window tint citations.
Can you tint the front windshield in Alabama?
No, it is illegal to apply any aftermarket window tint of any kind to the front windshield in Alabama. Only the factory installed windshield is permitted.
This means adding tint films, sprays, or other treatments to darken the front windshield is prohibited and can prompt traffic stops by police. Offenders receive a $50 citation and must remove the illegal front windshield tint within 10 days.
The only exception is a rare medical exemption with documentation showing a qualifying condition that requires extra tinting on the front windshield specifically. But for most civilian drivers, no aftermarket front windshield tint is allowed in Alabama.
What is the window tint law for multi purpose vehicles in Alabama?
For multi-purpose vehicles like vans and SUVs, the same legal window tint limits apply in Alabama as for regular cars:
– Front windshield: No aftermarket tint allowed
– Front side windows: Must allow at least 32% of light transmission
– Back side windows: Must allow at least 32% of light transmission
– Rear window: Must allow at least 32% of light transmission
So MPVs must comply with the same visibility percentages. The only exception is that rear windows on trucks may be fully tinted if there are external rear view mirrors installed.
But otherwise, vans, SUVs, and other multi-purpose vehicles are held to the same window tint restrictions as standard cars under Alabama law. Violations bring the same $50 citations and requirements to remove excess film.
Can you get a ticket for window tint in Alabama?
Yes, Alabama law enforcement does issue citations for illegal window tint violations. Fines start at $50 for a first offense and increase to $150 for a third or subsequent offense.
Drivers may get pulled over and ticketed if their window tint is darker than the legal limits on front, side, or rear windows. Police can use tint meters to check the light blockage percentage.
In addition to fines, offenders will receive a fix-it ticket requiring them to remove excess tint film and come into compliance within 10 days. Failure to do so results in the fines being imposed.
So drivers in Alabama should ensure their tint adheres to code to avoid getting ticketed. Exceptions exist for medical and military personnel with documented exemptions.
What is the fine for illegal window tint in Alabama?
Drivers cited for illegal window tint in Alabama face the following fines:
– First offense: $50
– Second offense: $100
– Third or subsequent offense: $150
In addition to fines, violators must remove excess tint film within 10 days if given a fix-it ticket by law enforcement. Failure to comply leads to immediate imposition of fines.
Repeat offenses for uncorrected illegal tint may also result in misdemeanor charges and jail time up to 1 year. Fines double with each new citation.
So it is imperative to promptly fix any excessively dark window tint issues on vehicles in Alabama before penalties escalate.
Do vehicles over 10 years old need to comply with window tint laws in Alabama?
Yes, Alabama’s legal restrictions on window tint darkness apply to all vehicles on the road, regardless of age. There is no exemption for older vehicles over 10 years old.
So even vintage cars built well before current tint laws were enacted must still comply with the same allowable light transmission percentages:
– Front side windows: 32% VLT minimum
– Back side windows: 32% VLT minimum
– Rear window: 32% VLT minimum
The front windshield of any aged vehicle cannot have aftermarket tint.
Drivers of older vehicles can still be pulled over and ticketed for excessively dark window tint in Alabama. There is no classic car waiver – all must meet current legal standards.
Can window tint be too light in Alabama?
No, there are no laws dictating window tint must be a certain darkness in Alabama. The regulations only set maximum limits on how dark aftermarket tint can be when applied.
So having very light tint that allows extremely high visible light transmission would not be illegal in Alabama. For example, a 50% or 75% VLT film that barely changes the windows’ appearance would fully comply.
The main consideration is not hindering outward driver visibility. So as long as excessive darkness is avoided, there are no minimum tint requirements in Alabama. Extremely light films are acceptable.
Do car window tint laws apply to motorcycles in Alabama?
Yes. The same legal light transmission percentage requirements apply to aftermarket window tinting on motorcycles in Alabama as other vehicles:
– Windshield: No aftermarket tint allowed
– Front side windows: Minimum 32% VLT
– Rear window: Minimum 32% VLT
So motorcyclists cannot excessively tint the windshield or side windows beyond those limits without risking a citation. Helmet visors and shields are not restricted like fixed motorcycle windows.
Certain military and medical exemptions to allow darker motorcycle window tinting also apply with proper documentation. But otherwise, motorcycles must comply with the same Alabama laws.
Conclusion
In summary, Alabama enforces legal restrictions on how dark window tint can be on vehicles operating in the state. Front side windows must allow at least 32% light transmittance, along with rear side windows and back windows. No aftermarket tint is permitted on front windshields.
Law enforcement does pull over drivers for suspected window tint violations, issuing $50 citations for a first offense. Drivers are required to remove excess tint within 10 days if given a fix-it ticket. Penalties escalate for repeat offenders who fail to comply and fix illegal tint.
By understanding and following Alabama’s window tint law, drivers can stay compliant and avoid fines while still enjoying the benefits of legal tinting. Consulting an experienced tint shop can help ensure any new films meet code requirements.
