Permissible Tint Darkness South Carolina
Regarding the amount of darkness for window tint, SC law has permitted auto film to be applied as long as it meets the percent of visual light transmission listed below:
Front Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed on the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line, or five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is longer.
Front Side Windows
Any tint darkness can be used if the vehicle windows are equipped with side mirrors on both left and right side .
Back Side Windows/Rear Window
Any tint darkness can be used if the vehicle has side mirrors on both left and right side.
Windshield Sticker
Upon written request to the manufacturer, a sticker may be placed at the top center of the drivers side of the windshield indicating that the vehicle has a 35% tint installed. The sticker is issued for vehicles with front side windows that have more than 27% VLT and allows law enforcement officers to easily identify such vehicles as being legal and not requiring a measurement of tint. The sticker is approximately 1.75 inches by 3.75 inches.
Why Tint Restrictions Exist
The rationale for tint regulations like those in South Carolina can be traced back to a few critical factors. Safety is arguably the most significant. Vehicles on the road, including those with tinted windows, need to be easily visible to other drivers and pedestrians. South Carolina’s tint laws are meant to ensure that drivers can see out of their vehicles clearly and that other road users can see in. Heavily tinted windows can obstruct a driver’s view of cyclists, pedestrians, and other motorists, which can lead to costly and devastating accidents. Window tint regulations also help law enforcement officials properly identify criminals and suspected criminals in vehicles. If tinted windows were allowed without restriction, it would be significantly harder for police officers to determine whether someone inside a car is breaking the law or even to make quick decisions about who to stop for questioning. In addition to safety concerns, consumer protection is another reason for tint regulations in South Carolina. When window tint is installed on a vehicle, it’s important that the consumer understands the limitations and responsibilities that come with it. Without strict tint regulations, consumers might not get all the information needed to make an informed choice about tinting their windows. Strict tint laws protect consumers from those who might have a vested interest in selling more tint—such as their tinting services or the materials used for the tint—without proper guidance about the minimums and maximums. While some argue that the government’s health and safety regulations go too far, there’s no doubt that tinted windows can pose a legitimate threat to the safety of drivers. South Carolina tint laws exist for good reasons that benefit the public at large.
Effects of Illegal Tinting
There are several violations which can be classified as misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail or $500.00 fine, or both, for each violation. S.C.Code §16-1-20. Over-tinting of auto glass is a violation of S.C.Code §56-5-4770(6). The man who causes the tint to be placed on the glass of a motor vehicle and the owner of the vehicle shall be considered guilty of separate offenses.
Besides the possible criminal penalty, there has been some discrepancy among law enforcement personnel concerning the application of fines (i.e., moving violation or registration violation). Failure to pay the fines could cause an increase on your insurance premium. If you are cited for an illegal tint, your insurance company may decide that you warrant a higher premium. Several law enforcement agencies maintain that the tint is a registration violation and they cite and fine you for the improper tinting of the window and subject to the same penalties as above.
In South Carolina, motor vehicles must undergo an inspection once a year. The stickers indicating a passing inspection are attached to the window of the vehicle. For a violation of the tint law, the pass sticker will be removed until the violation is corrected.
Exceptions and Doctor’s Permits
Exceptions to the tint law may be granted provided the tint darkness allows not less than 70% of light to come through. These exceptions may be granted to individuals who have a letter of approval from a licensed South Carolina physician stating the medical necessity for special window tinting for treatment of an eye disease. Additionally, window tint that is darker than the standard shade is also exempt from this law for use on any vehicle owned or driven by a disabled person (as defined by Section 56-3-1960) . A disabled person, for the application of this section, means one who is legally blind as the result of a condition or condition that is permanent and irreversible; or has a loss of vision in one eye so that visual acuity with correcting glasses is 20/200 or less. Exceptions may also apply provided the vehicle is used as a taxicab, bus, van or limousine used for carrying persons for compensation or hire in the business of transporting passengers for compensation if the vehicle is registered with the State of South Carolina and the Department of Motor Vehicles has issued a special permit for the use of a window shade or tint to be displayed in the windshield of the vehicle.
How to Test Tint Darkness
The primary tool used by law enforcement, window tint shops and other professionals to measure the darkness of automotive window tint is a light meter. The device shines a beam of light at the window and measures how much light passes through. The percentage of visible light that makes it through is what is reported as the darkness of the tint.
In most window tinting scenarios, the law enforcement officer will have to perform the measure from the inside of the vehicle, so you need to be able to do the same. The overall light level in a vehicle is much less than that outside of the vehicle. A light meter measures the amount of light penetrating the tint by shining a beam of light on the tint. The amount of light that passes through is then reported as a percent of light that penetrates the tint.
From a measurement perspective, there is no difference in the way light meters measure tint on the side windows, back window and front windows. However, there are some differences in the way that these windows are measured. For the front side windows, only one piece of your window tint is counted toward the measurement. That is the piece of tint that is as far forward as the center rearview mirror. The measurement for the two rear side windows are combined, or averaged. This is because the tint of each piece of the window tint on the rear door is done independently, but the results are often not significantly different.
The tint of the rear windows is measured just like the tint on the front windows. Many rear window tint installations extend over the edges of the rear window. When this happens, all of the tint that is attached to the glass is measured, whether that tint is on the rear or passenger doors, or goes across the back window. If the tint goes across the back window and the rear and passenger side doors, all of that tint is counted even if the doors are too dark on their own. However, if the tint is not extended onto the rear or passenger side doors, only the dark parts of the tint on the rear window are counted.
How can a vehicle owner ensure that his or her tint meets the legal limit? After you tint your vehicle windows, the easiest way to verify that a tint is at or near the legal limit is by using a light meter. You can purchase a digital or analog tint meter online for about $60. Many window tint shops also have a light meter. Be aware that if you buy your own light meter, you will have to learn how to use it properly. Consulting with professionals that regularly work with window tint will save you a lot of time and money if you don’t already have expertise with window tint.
Finding a Legal Tint Installer
When it comes to the legality of window tints in South Carolina, not all tinting companies are created equal. It is vital to ensure you choose a service that is well-versed in the state’s tint requirements and will comply with them. Here are some tips for picking a trusted tinting service:
Always ask your prospective tinting contractor if they are familiar with the laws and regulations pertaining to window tint in South Carolina. If the answer is no, keep looking. It’s a good idea to get a list of previous customers of the tinting service in question and talk to them about their experiences with the contractor. This is a great way to learn more about their level of customer service and professionalism. Talk to your tinting contractor about any questions or concerns you may have about the tinting process , and make sure they are attentive to your issues. Once the tint has been applied, inspect it for any problems. If you experience any issues, work with your tinting contractor to rectify them. If they are not willing to work with you to resolve an issue, their tinting job may not be worth the price. If you require a tinting service experienced in working with professional vehicles, such as law enforcement or government vehicles that may require the use of a different tint type, let your contractor know this ahead of time. Make sure you select a tinting service that uses high-quality window tint and stays at the forefront of window tinting technology and techniques. A quality job will ensure compliance with state laws and will also provide you with the best visibility, comfort and protection.