All About Michigan Tint Laws
Michigan’s Tint Law is regulated by Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 257 Section 257.708 which reads:
"(2) The windshield of a motor vehicle shall be equipped with safety glazing materials that have a light transmittance of not less than 70% of the visible light of each surface. A vehicle with an after market window film or glazing material manufactured with a 3 to 5 millimeter nonreflective tint extending from the top of the windshield down 4 inches or down to the AS-1 line, or the uppermost line over the driver’s side window, whichever is farther from the top of the windshield is not a violation of this act.
- (3) The front seat side windows of a passenger vehicle shall have a light transmittance of not less than 70% of the original film-glass manufacturer’s shade of the glass.
- (4) The window in each rear compartment, excluding the driver’s and passenger’s windows, may be tinted to any degree.
- (5) Before selling, offering for sale, or installing window tint film, the seller or installer shall restrict all window tint film, including the windshield tint, to that which complies with this section as evidenced by the certificate and label required under subsection (8), to ensure compliance with this act.
- (6) If the window film does not fall within the tint percentages described in subsection (2), the manufacturer, seller, or installer shall, at least 30 days before the date of sale or installation, petition the director of the department for approval. The director shall approve or disapprove within 10 days after receiving a complete petition. The decision shall be in writing and state the reasons for the decision. If the director approves the petition, the manufacturer, seller , or installer shall include the approval letter in the records required under subsection (9).
- (7) A motor carrier that is found to have window tint that exceeds Michigan law or the exemption granted under subsection (6) shall be given written notice that the carrier has 30 days to change the window tint to comply or the motor carrier will be considered as having failed to maintain safe equipment.
- (8) The manufacturer or venders of window tint shall furnish the owner of a motor vehicle with a certificate for each window or strip of window film installed on a motor vehicle. The certificate shall be signed by the owner or his agent and the installer of the film which shows:
(a) Manufacturer’s name.
(b) Installer’s name.
(c) Tint film vendor’s name.
(d) Vehicle owner’s name and address.
(e) Make, model, and weight class of vehicle.
(f) Vehicle identification number.
(g) Date of installation.
(h) Signature of owner or agent and installer.
(i) Permit number.
(j) Window tinting percentage; i.e., 70%, 25%, etc.
(k) Strip information, if applicable, on windshield.
(l) Appropriate signature.
(m) Windows exempted pursuant to this section.
(n) Dimensions of tinted film when installed.
(o) Name of state where law enforcement issued, if other than Michigan.
(9) The manufacturer shall maintain the original certification in his possession and submit a copy of the certificate to the department of state police for its records. A sticker showing the percentage of the tint shall be affixed to the top corner of the driver’s side of the windshield of the vehicle."
So to sum up the law:
Windshields:
Driver’s and Passenger’s windows:
Back of Vehicle:
Some things to remember about Michigan’s Tint Law:
Exceptions are available only for sellers and installers who have obtained permission in advance from the state of Michigan. Any tint that does not meet the Michigan Tint Law is illegal, and must be replaced promptly.
Why There are Tint Limits in Michigan
The decision to limit the amount of legal tint on the front windshield and windows stems from a concern for safety and the enforcement challenges that would arise without tint laws. Law enforcement officials warn of the dangers that come from cars that have too heavily tinted windows. While most law abiding drivers understand that laws are in place to protect them, many do not. For instance, two common issues arise when driving with excessively tinted windows: first, it makes it more difficult for law enforcement to see inside of vehicles, thus leading to an increase in the amount of officers that are shot unnecessarily and secondly, police officers also cannot see if a car is occupied, which creates a very dangerous situation depending on the circumstances. Tint laws in Michigan came about as a result of the significant risk of harm that could be avoided. Michigan tint laws were enacted for the protection of law enforcement and the public. The enforcement of Michigan tint laws is nothing short of crucial for maintaining public safety.
Tint Levels for Cars in Michigan
Michigan law distinguishes between several different types of window tinting and allows for some variances on the maximum allowable tint on various portions of the windows of a vehicle. While Federal law also provides some guidance in terms of allowed tint, it is important to note at the outset of your search that Michigan law is more restrictive in that some automobile manufacturers apply federally compliant tint to their windows that are out of compliance with Michigan law. So while the Federal standard may be met, your tinted windows may still be in violation of Michigan state law. Thus, it is important to ensure that your tint is not only federally compliant but also Michigan state compliant.
The law is broken down by the different types of windows: front windshield, front side windows, back side windows, rear window and sun visor. I’ll break down the allowed arc percent VLT for each of these types of windows separately but will also provide you with an easy summary chart at the end of this section so you can easily refer back when needed.
According to Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated 257.708d, the following is allowed:
Front windshield, bottom 4" tinted band allowed to have up to a 35% VLT;
Front side windows, 35% VLT;
Back side windows, 4% VLT;
Rear window, 4% VLT;
Sun visor, 4" tinted band allowed to have up to a 35% VLT.
For the sake of completeness, I bring up the following additional points. A clear and colorless glass film when applied to the windshield, front side windows and rear window is not considered window tint under the law to the extent it complies with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cruise control reflective film standard (49 CFR 571.205). Moreover, window tint that has a total solar reflectance of more than 35% on the front side windows and a total solar reflectance of more than 10% on the back side windows of a passenger motor vehicle is not allowed. As well, a person shall not sell or offer to sell for use on a passenger motor vehicle a window tint that is not labeled as described under the law. The law also provides certain civil fines for individuals who do not comply with Michigan law when it comes to the window tinting on their passenger motor vehicles.
As one last point, if you want to talk about violating Michigan law regarding window tint, you simply refer to Section 460(d) of Chapter X of The Michigan Insurance Code; which states that "A person who violates section 611a or section 616 of the Michigan Vehicle Code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.611a and MCL 257.616, is subject to the penalty provisions of section 911 of the Michigan Vehicle Code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.911."
What Happens if I Violate Michigan Tint Law?
Violating the tint laws in Michigan may expose yourself to a range of penalties, depending on the circumstances. For a first offense, a basic penalty will be a $100 fine. Because most first-time offenders know better and are not attempting to cruise around with the most illegal tint possible, the punishment might actually be a written warning with existing tint allowed to be exempted from a ticket. That does not, however, excuse or eliminate the violation itself, so you could still be prosecuted later. In addition to penalties levied by police officers, any tint violations will be recorded in both a driver’s driving record and in the Secretary of State computers, so future law enforcement contact may also be problematic. While it is possible that a police officer may let a driver off on a technicality, if the very tint does not appear on the certificate, as certified by the state police, the citation for tinted windows will likely be issued. Knowledge of the law is no defense to violating the law. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse, no matter where you live.
Medical Exemptions for Window Tint
Medical conditions have an impact on your ability to get a tint exemption in Michigan. For example, if you suffer from a condition that leaves you sensitive to bright lights or the sun, it is possible to pass the strict legal tint limit. Here is when the state does allow for medical tint exemptions. As previously mentioned, the legal tint limit is 35 percent VLT for SUV and vans in Michigan. Any vehicle with windows that exceed this percentage of tint are subject to a ticket and other fines. Yet, there are some exceptions in the law. Following is a look at the situations that allow the state to grant special tint exemptions due to a medical condition. If you are one of these individuals, you may be able to drive a vehicle that does not meet the 35 percent VLT. The state also does not limit the tint darkness on rear side and rear windows (front window tint must still not exceed 35 percent VLT) . To obtain a tint exemption, you must obtain a certificate from a doctor in the state of Michigan. The certificate must state that: There are some additional requirements for the certificate, as well. For example, the certificate must: Once you obtain the certificate from a doctor, you must complete a tint exemption form. Some doctors allow you to do this electronically, others require a physical copy. Either way, the documents can be submitted for processing through mail. The bottom line is that in most cases, it is considered illegal to have a tint darker than 35 percent VLT on the windows of an SUV or van. If you cannot meet this percentage of tint due to a medical condition, however, you can apply for an exemption and possibly obtain permission to have darker tint on your vehicle windows.
Choosing Compliant Tinting in Michigan
When it comes to selecting window tinting, one of the most crucial factors to keep in mind is strict legal compliance. While seeking to take advantage of the variety of potential benefits associated with car window tinting, it is vital to ensure that whatever selection you opt for adheres to the various local laws, as enforcement and penalties for legal violations can be severe. According to the Michigan Department of State website, acceptable levels of tint on the front windshield will include a clear 3-inch strip of tinted film above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line and above the manufacturer’s line in the DOT print. In the front and back side windows, the account says, tint can be up to 35 percent. The back window’s tint can be as dark as the owner wants it to be. Before purchasing tints for their vehicles, individuals are strongly encouraged to contact vehicle manufacturers and consult legal professionals to ensure that they are making selections that are fully in compliance with the strict parameters outlined the Michigan Vehicle Code. Best-in-class tint manufacturers and tint installation professionals should be familiar with the law and be committed to providing customers legal tint options. This commitment to compliance demonstrates a respect the facts that illegal tinting not only exposes a higher number of drivers of Michigan vehicles to unwarranted safety risks but can also lead to substantial legal liability for tinting professionals who do not operate in accordance with the law. With this in mind, car window tinting installers should be encouraging customers to select legal tints and should be understanding that while many owners want to opt for darker tint during the spring and summer months, those same owners may come to regret it during fall and winter months when the sun sets earlier in the evening and sets later in the morning and the days are shorter.
Common Questions About Tint Law
For those looking to know more about Michigan’s tint laws, here are some frequently asked questions:
What does ‘CS’ mean?
– CS means "content of visible light transmitted or reflected in a vehicle in percent". It is the amount of light that let in and out of the window.
How is the percentage determined?
– The percentage is calculated by a specific formula developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which is used consistently throughout the automotive industry.
I’m over the legal limit. Will I get pulled over for having darker tint?
– Applying legal tint, such as window film, can make your car safer by providing eye protection from UV and infrared rays so it can be beneficial. However, unlawfully tinted or darkened windows can be a distraction for law enforcement . Police have the right to stop you and issue a citation if they believe you have darkened your windows beyond the legal limit.
Can my windshield be tinted?
– Windshields can be tinted as long as 70% of visible light is transmitted. Michigan’s tint law prohibit tinting a windshield below the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches of the glass. However, an after-market film tint is allowed as long as it’s not darker than 4" and doesn’t block the drivers’ view.
How much visible light must pass through the front side windows?
– The front side windows of a vehicle must have a VLT of at least 35%. VLT stands for vehicle light transmittance.
How much visible light must pass through the rear side windows and the rear window?
– These vehicle’s windows can tint your windows with up to 30% VLT.