Illinois Window Tint Requirements
When it comes to the legalities of tinting car windows in Illinois, the law is fairly straightforward, with one notable exception. Illinois law permits most passenger cars and trucks to have a maximum tint of 35 percent on side and rear windows and an unrestricted amount of tint on the windshield over the AS-1 line (the second tint band) for vehicles that do not have a manufacturer’s tint band from the factory.
Passenger vans and SUVs are subject to the same tint restriction as passenger cars unless they meet specific height requirements. Vans and SUVs with rear windows that are at least 50 inches wide must have a 50-percent tint on their side rear windows and back glass, while those with rear windows that are more than 50 inches wide must have 35 percent tint. Any other vehicle, such as a truck or van with rear windows that are not wide enough to necessitate the higher tint level, is subject to the 35-percent tint requirement.
There are a couple more exceptions to the rules for rear window tint. Vehicles that are not sold to the public but for commercial use, such as cabs or vehicles used by law enforcement or other government agencies, are not restricted by tint laws. Direct sales companies, such as Chapters 13 and 16 bankruptcy trustees, also are not subject to tint restrictions.
One thing of note is that while Illinois law requires the tint to have a reflection of no more than 35 percent, the state has no requirement for the reflectivity of a tint. That means that tinted window film with a mirror reflectivity is legal! While some states require a certain level of reflectiveness, such as in Michigan, Nevada and Utah, there are no reflectivity requirements in Illinois, making Illinois one of the most lax states for tint laws .
Illinois tint law does have some other requirements, including those of the law that keeps window film manufacturers and installers accountable for the tint they provide to the public. According to Section 1226.600 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, all window tint sold, offered for sale, advertised or installed in the state must conform to technical specifications outlined in 625 ILCS 5/12C.10 and Section 1226.600 of the law. This requires that all window tints, regardless of shade or type, be certified by an independent, impartial testing entity that has been approved by the Secretary of State to be in compliance with state regulations.
A vehicle’s owner must also obtain a certificate of compliance from the tint installer or manufacturer certifying that the installed tint complies with the technical specifications noted above. The Certificate of Compliance must include the vehicle’s year, make, model, license plate number, and the location and date of installation or sale. The owner must maintain the Certificate of Compliance for as long as the tint remains on the vehicle. Failure to provide this certificate to law enforcement officials upon request after being pulled over for a tinted window violation could result in a fine.
While a vehicle owner is not required under Illinois law to keep their window tint manufacturer information in the car in case they are pulled over about their tint, keeping the certificate of compliance in the glove box could help prevent a $250 fine. Any passenger car owner who has a 20-percent tint in their car’s windows can be charged with a Pantograph Violation, which carries a fine of $25 for a first offense, but this does not go on the driver’s record. Second and subsequent offenses each carry a fine of $50, and each subsequent Pantograph violation can result in an additional $250 fine.
Medical and Legal Exceptions
Recent Developments and Legal Exceptions and Medical Exemptions for Illinois Tint Law
Exceptions do exist in the Illinois legal code. For commercial vehicles, for example, different tint restrictions apply to the window tinting on which they are equipped, as long as it is used during business hours. But the most common exceptions deal with medical or medical necessity for window tinting.
Illinois car window tint law requires that individuals demonstrate medical or other necessity for tinting. Generally speaking, there are no exceptions made for personal use or cosmetic purposes, but people suffering from special conditions can be granted exceptions. That is why these special situations are granted exemptions to the usual tint law.
To get one of these medical exemptions, you will need to get a doctor’s note saying you suffer from light sensitivity or other similar condition ("light sensitive person" is the term used in the law). You will have to present a prescription written by a licensed physician, optometrist licensed to practice in Illinois, or opthamalogist licensed to practice medicine in the state. This prescription will have to be obtained prior to installation of the window tinting, and will need to be in compliance with both Illinois law and rules and regulations promulgated by the Illinois Secretary of State.
Not everyone qualifies for these exemptions. Basically, if the window tinting is strictly for cosmetic purposes, you will not qualify. The prescription from your physician must indicate that the medical issue requires that the driver or passenger must be shielded from direct exposure to the sun’s rays. The description should include specific visual confines that limit the exposure to interior body areas or areas of the vehicle interior that would adversely affect the driver’s operation of the motor vehicle.
Violiating the Tint Laws
As with any law, it pays to know all the facts about Illinois car window tint violations and what those violations could mean for you financially.
You should be aware of the penalties involved with violating Illinois tint laws. More often than not, these violations will lead to fines but perhaps not always.
The fine for violating tinted windows for a first offense varies widely depending on your county. The amount could be a couple of bucks or a couple of hundred bucks. However, fines typically range from $50 to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for any subsequent offenses.
Often, police officers will use discretion when determining if you need a fine. They may just ask you to remove the tint if they notice it during a traffic stop.
In the case of multiple offenders, there’s a good chance they may end up getting only a warning. However, you should note that excessive, repeated offenses will lead to a fine.
Keep in mind that violations of tint laws or fines resulting thereof won’t ordinarily impact your vehicle’s inspection or registration. However, should the tint cause you to fail a safety inspection, some counties will move to suspend or revoke your vehicle’s registration.
Such failures are likely to be linked to insurance issues. For instance, some insurance companies won’t issue a new policy to car owners whose vehicles failed inspection because of window tinting. Unfortunately, if your car failed inspection, this might even result in an increase to your car insurance premiums.
How to Choose the Right Window Tint for Your Vehicle
When it comes to selecting the best window tint for your vehicle, there are several critical factors to take into account. Here are some considerations for choosing the right tint:
- Local Regulations: The first step should always be to research the regulations in your state and even your specific municipality. If you have any questions about the law, you can consult an Illinois traffic lawyer about your tinting options and any recommendations they might have. Some jurisdictions may have stricter requirements than Illinois state law, so be sure to check with local guidelines.
- Type of Tint: Drivers today have a wide range of tinting materials available to select. Some of the most popular options include standard film tint, carbon window film, and ceramic window tint. Those considering windshield tinting should be sure to choose a company that uses only high-end, pre-cut kits , ideally professionally installed.
- Tint Visibility: All drivers know that the visibility of their windows is crucial to getting where they need to go. When tint is too dark or improperly applied, it can create blind spots when driving or parking. Choosing a tint product that enhances visibility helps keep you safe on the road.
- Practicality: The most practical tint for many drivers may be lighter, as this helps keep the interior of the vehicle cooler in the hot summer sun and in direct contact with a windshield. If you tend to park outside during the day or drive a lot of long-distance trips, a slightly lighter tint may be the way to go for you.
- Professional Installation: This point cannot be emphasized enough—nothing can ruin even the best quality tint kit like improper installation. If you are going to invest in a quality tint, you should also invest in a professional installation to ensure that it adheres properly and remains in place for the long haul.
Illinois Tint Law FAQs
Q: How is window tint darkness measured?
A: Darkness is measured by VLT (visible light transmission) which is expressed as a percentage of visible light allowed through the film and the glass. For example, a window tint with a VLT of 10% allows 10% of light in through the tinted window.
Q: What is the legal window tint for cars in Illinois?
A: For sedans, the front windows must have at least 35% VLT and can have no more than 6 inches of a non-reflective tint on the windshield. The back windows and rear window can have any darkness.
For SUVs and vans the front windows must have at least 35% VLT and can have no more than 6 inches of a non- reflective tint on the windshield . The back windows and rear window can have any darkness.
Q: Are quotes from state officials posted to websites with outdated laws really from the state?
A: No. Outdated laws are not updated because the Clerk of the Illinois Circuit Court does not advertise or blog. A website may post an official-looking quote on a page with the old law -to get you to view their product- but that’s as far as it goes: they want you to buy it. Make sure to check the date. If it doesn’t say 2019 it is not current. For the most accurate information, go to the source – the Official State of Illinois website.