Limits On Legal Tint
Kentucky law stipulates a maximum of 35% VLT (maximum tint darkness) on the front windshields, and either 35%, 20% or 5% on top of the windshield. Side windows and the rear window can have a maximum of 35% VLT.
Multi-purpose vehicles , vans and buses registered as multi-purpose vehicles can have a maximum 20% VLT on the front seat side windows and rear windows. But if these large vehicles are registered as vans or buses, they must have a legal tint darkness of 20% or greater. Only SUVs, vans, buses and multi-purpose vehicles can have a legal tint darkness of 5%.
Tint Reflection and Shade
The law also imposes restrictions on tint reflectivity and color. While the window tint rules are primarily concerned with the light transmittance of the material, the law also limits the amount of reflection—or amount of light being reflected by the tint—as well as the colors used in the tint. Some are surprised to learn that Kentucky tint laws permit no reflection whatsoever. As discussed above, the law requires that the tinted windows allow "at least twenty percent (20%) of light to pass through." However, the law is not a percentage of darkness rule but rather requires at least 20% of light to pass through the tinted window. A small amount of reflection is unnecessary for a tint to meet the light transmittance requirement; therefore, the law does not permit any tint on your vehicle to contain any reflection. Kentucky law further permits only two tint colors—gray or tan. Even though the law requires the tint to have less than 5% reflection, you are still stuck with only gray or tan tint. These colors are unregulated only until you exit the factory; after that, all window tint must fall into one of these two colors. Most manufacturers, such as FormulaOne, offer both colors in nearly all its window tint technologies, including ceramic-based or "lifetime warranty" tint as well as their most affordable dyed film tint. Manufacturers of tint film do encourage local installers, such as Tint King Armando Nunez, to educate customers on the benefits of darker colors. No amount of light transmittance can make up for the rejection of the sun’s harmful rays. Manufacturers have stated that as the amount of visible light begins to decrease, the amount of UV ray and heat rejection increases. Titanium and nano ceramic films have proven this true, blocking more than 99% of harmful UV rays, while providing shades below the Kentucky limit. Such advancements in technology make selecting an aftermarket tint option even more important.
Exemptions and Special Situations
Kentucky window tint laws do allow for some exemptions or special cases. For example, drivers with certain medical conditions can obtain a medical exemption from the front windows law. Medical exemptions from the tint law are only given for problems that prevent normal vision, such as albinism, where pigment formation in the skin and eyes is absent, or for persons who have had a cornea transplant necessitating additional protection for the eyes.
Drivers would need to get a letter of exemption from a licensed physician or optometrist. The exemption letter would be sent to the Kentucky State Police so it can be recorded, and a letter is given to the driver. This allows them to legally drive a vehicle with darker tint on the windows. Retrieval of the letter takes six to eight weeks, so if your application is approved, don’t attempt to drive with darker tint during that time period. The tint exemption letter would need to be carried by the driver when driving in a tinted vehicle.
There are also special cases permitted in the tint law for larger SUVs, vans, and cargo vans with rear windows that can be clear tinted along with solid rear seat window tint. Approved tint levels on a larger SUV, van, or cargo van with van or cube body shape, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or more, can be 20% for the second and third rows of windows, along with the front windows and windshield.
Fines for Increasing Tint
Violating Kentucky’s window tint regulations can result in fines and other legal consequences for drivers. When a police officer observes that a vehicle has window tint that is darker than what is legally allowed, the driver may be pulled over and issued a ticket. It is important to note that the officer does not have to determine whether the tint is illegal before issuing a citation: the ticket will be issued, and it will be up to the driver to prove that the tint is legal or that an exception applies.
If a driver receives a ticket for window tint, or suspects that they might receive one, they should be aware of the penalties for violating the law. The first offense results in a fine of $50 , with second and subsequent offenses subject to a $100 fine. These fines may seem relatively low, but repeat offenders could face misdemeanor charges. In addition to the fines, the police department also collects a $25 fee for each ticket issued.
Fines are not the only consequence for failing to comply with window tint laws in Kentucky. If a driver violates the law, the state can require them to tear off their tinted window film or replace their tinted contact lenses with clear lenses. This makes it important to seek legal representation as soon as possible if you receive a ticket for window tint.
How to Measure Window Tint
When it comes to understanding your vehicle’s window tint levels and determining their compliance with Kentucky’s laws, accuracy is essential. Professionals utilize a few different methods and tools to measure the darkness or Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of your vehicle’s tint—namely photometers, spectrophotometers and tint wands.
Highly sensitive and extremely precise, a photometer is often used by law enforcement and other officials for accurate measurement of window tint. This handheld instrument shines a bright light at a specified angle through your car’s glass and tinting material to measure how much light is transmitted through. Accurate to within 1 percent VLT, this nondestructive method provides a clear readout on the screen. These digital readouts can be printed out for documentation or stored in the device’s memory. When you visit a licensed tint shop, they may use a photometer that meets state standards for their recorded VLT readings.
They’re similar but slightly more precise, spectrophotometers are used by some professionals to measure tint levels more accurately. Like the photometer, this nondestructive tool uses a bright light at a specified angle to determine how much light is transmitted. The spectrophotometer captures color images of the tint as it transmits and analyzes them for VLT. Typically used by government agencies for compliance reasons, spectrophotometers are extremely sensitive and range in price from about $2,500 to upwards of $12,000. This advanced technology allows trained professionals to correctly assess tint levels and determine their conformity with local laws.
The simplest of the three tools used most often by the public, tint wands measure the tint on car windows to verify VLT. Most models utilize Bluetooth technology to connect to a smartphone, enabling people to take their own tint measurements quickly and easily. The wand itself resembles a small flashlight, projecting a bright light beam at a specified angle to capture data and transmit the information to your smartphone.
Many tint shops have their own photometers or spectrophotometers to use, and some may even offer VLT testing on site. If you’re in doubt as to whether your tint is in compliance, consider paying for a tint test to confirm your worries. However, no formal reporting is provided with a normal tint test—from tint shops or police officers—to prove compliance, so it’s best to have the darkest tint limits that meet Kentucky’s standards installed from the outset to avoid confusion with law enforcement officials and to stay in compliance with the law for as long as possible.
Selecting the Right Installer
When it comes to meeting Kentucky’s tinting laws and regulations, selecting a professional tint installer is of the utmost importance. It’s the key way to ensure that your newly tinted vehicle windows are legal and that you don’t risk being pulled over by law enforcement for violating the state’s window tint traffic safety laws.
The first step to choosing a tint installer is to make sure that they are a certified installer that holds a registered state identification number for window tint. This means that they have been through a state approved training class and can provide a professional service to get you great looking legal window tint. As an added benefit, most professional installers offer window tinting services that will last a long time and withstand many years of use without fading, bubbling up, and getting unsightly stains on the windows. This is because professionals use the highest quality tinting materials . They also provide a large selection of window tints to choose from, some of which contain security screens designed to keep people from breaking into your vehicle.
There are a few ways to locate professional tint services in your area. Ask friends and family members for recommendations on who to use. If you have a favorite auto shop, these people can make recommendations on good tint installers who they also use personally. Check online for tint installer companies in your area. It’s a good idea to visit their websites and check out testimonials left by customers who have used their professional services. For a final few options, you could check with your local department of motor vehicles or the Better Business Bureau to see what they recommend.
Another place to check out is the internet. There you can search for professional installers that work in your area and contact them through their websites.