On Indiana Window Tints in General
All vehicles on Indiana roadways are subject to regulations governing window tinting or films. The Indiana Code defines window tint as "a window material that is made of, or coated with, a substance that prohibits more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the incident light from reaching the interior of the vehicle." (IC 9-19-19-1.) As stated below, Indiana follows the general national trend of providing that tint is prohibited on windshields and front windows but is allowed on the other windows of an automobile up to specified legal percentages.
Indiana also permits tinting or films on all windows of a bus or multi-function school activity bus, provided it is in compliance with laws of the state of registration of the vehicle. (IC 9-19-19-4.) Further, it is unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, or install window tinting or film that is not in compliance with Indiana law. (IC 9-19-19-3.)
Tint is prohibited on windshields. (IC 9-19-19-4.) However, a strip of tint may be applied along the top of the windshield, but it can be no lower than the AS-1 line or the top edge of the manufacturer’s tint band, whichever is higher, and is allowed to reduce driver fatigue by filtering ultraviolet rays. (IC 9-19-19-5 . )
Tint is also prohibited on the vent (driver’s side) window, side windows behind the driver, and rear windows, and the tint must allow more than thirty percent (30%) of the available light transmittance into the vehicle. Further, any material applied to the window must comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards for glazing materials and specifications. (IC 9-19-19-6.)
Any passenger car that is manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1987, shall have tinted windows or window film that complies with regular percentages of light transmission, provided that a passenger car, regardless of model year, manufactured or assembled by a recognized automobile manufacture may be tinted, shaded, or otherwise modified by the addition of window tint to the windshield provided that the tint is specifically manufactured or assembled for the make of the passenger car and is in compliance with the federal motor vehicle safety standards for tinted window film for passenger cars. (IC 9-19-19-7.)
The provisions of IC 9-19-19-7 do not apply to the windows of a motorcycle or a recreational vehicle, as defined by IC 9-13-2, or to the windshield of a truck, bus, or multipurpose vehicle if the window tint applied to the windshield of the vehicle is in compliance with the federal motor vehicle safety standards for tinted windows on trucks, buses, or multipurpose vehicles. (IC 9-19-19-8.)
Different Classes of Vehicles and their Window Tint Requirements
The type of vehicle you own can determine the strictness of the tint laws that apply to you. for example, sedans and SUVs are subject to different window tinting regulations as are trucks. Here’s an overview of the different tinting requirements for small cars and large SUVs, trucks, and vans, so you have a clearer understanding of which tint applies to your vehicle:
Passenger vehicles, such as sedans and SUVs, are subject to the tint laws listed below: No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about Indiana tint laws. While some states allow this to occur, Indiana tint laws do not permit tinted windows in these areas: These exemptions may be permitted if the driver obtains an exemption from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Indiana tint laws dictate that passenger vans and buses throughout the state meet the following tint shade requirements: Within the rear window and back windows, any level of tint darkness is permitted. However, the tint on the windshield must allow at least 35% of outside light to come through. For vans and buses that can hold more than 11 people, passengers can have as much darkness as they like on their windows. However, this type of window tint may not apply in cases where a company requires special licenses for employees who drive vehicles such as shuttle buses. While vans and buses that only hold 11 passengers or fewer are only required to be tinted on the top 5 inches of glass, there are no tint laws specified for larger passenger vans and buses. This means that complete tint is permitted on all windows. Indiana tinted window requirements for trucks provided in Indiana Code, Section 9-19-18-2, state that trucks are required to meet requirements similar to those set for for sedans and SUVs. For example, the window tint on trucks must allow at least 30% of outside light to pass through, or it must have a light transmittance of 30% or more. Colored automobile window tinting is prohibited in Indiana by law.
Medical Exceptions for your Window Tint
Indiana law allows for medical exemptions when it comes to window tinting. This means that individuals who have certain medical conditions may be able to legally obtain a permit that allows them to tint their windows darker than the law would otherwise allow. However, this is only permissible if the condition is accompanied by a letter from a doctor verifying the individual’s claim.
In order for an exemption to be considered, the driver must pass over a photometer test. That test will be administered by law enforcement. It will then be also noted on the physician’s letter. After passing the test, the individual can bring the letter to the Indiana Department of Revenue in order to pay the necessary fee for their medical permit.
Keep in mind that this permit is only valid if the car has been fitted with a film or coating that allows for 70 percent upper tint and 50 percent lower tint for the front windshield, and a 30 percent tint for the back seat windows. Additionally, only a single window may be darkened.
Any professional window technician will know due diligence to ensure that the film used on a window with a medical exemption is applied legally, as the Department of Revenue requires certain documentation and testing. If you are suffering from a degenerative eye disease, for example, or another condition that might be alleviated for inside or outside light sources, you should consult a physician to discuss your options.
Violate Indiana’s Window Tint Laws and Face the Following Penalties:
Violation of the window tint laws in Indiana may result in both civil and criminal penalties for the owner of the vehicle or the registered owner if it is driven by someone other than the person who owns it. The provisions that apply to commercial vehicles and buses and other vehicles used for hire are purely civil rather than criminal so people operating these types of vehicles would not be subject to any criminal charges.
If the tint of the vehicle windows is determined to not meet the requirements , the owner will be ordered to remove the tint and replace it with tint that complies with the law. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $25 for each day that the tint fails to comply. This fine is in addition to any fines or penalties that may apply for the actual tinted film on the windows.
In vehicles that are not buses or commercial vehicles, the penalties for violating the tint laws are criminal rather than civil. In these vehicles, failure to apply the tint in accordance with the law may result in a fine of up to $500 per violation which can be enforced the same day that the law is violated. This law is only enforceable against tint that was applied after July 1, 2011. For tint that was applied before that date, the penalty is only civil.
Recent History and Amendments to Window Tint Laws
There was a slight update to the Indiana tint law in 2015 that now states, "A vehicle other than a motorcycle must be equipped with glass that has a luminous transmittance of not less than thirty percent (30%): (1) on the windshield; and (2) on the front passenger’s-side window and the driver’s-side window." Any tint installed after 2015 that is darker than the prescribed amount may incur fines and potentially result in being ordered to remove any illegal tint. Legislation such as this may continue to occur again in the future so be sure you keep current on updates affecting the laws for tinted windows of passenger cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs in Indiana.
Make Sure These Stay on the Right Side of the Law
For Indiana vehicle owners looking to stay within the bounds of the law, it is crucial to understand that compliance with window tint regulations goes beyond simple measurements. Practical tips to ensure that your window tints are in accordance with the law are important, including:
- Utilize a reputable tinting service. To ensure compliance, it is often best to use a professional service with a reputation for following all legal requirements.
- Conduct regular checks of the tint’s condition. Over time, window tints can fade or bubble, even if they were installed correctly. This means that you must continue to check the tint and have it replaced if necessary .
- Keep correct documentation. If window tint is professionally installed, make sure you receive documentation outlining the tint’s specifications and keep this information handy.
- Perform periodic tint maintenance. In some cases, window tint may need to be cleaned and re-sealed. Make sure you understand what maintenance is required after your tint is applied.
As you can see, there is a lot that can be done to prevent legal problems later down the road. For those considering installing window tints on their vehicles, it is important to make sure you utilize a reputable tinting service and that you fully understand these restrictions.