A Summary of Nevada’s Tint Laws
As in much of the western United States, Nevada’s car window tint laws are relatively non-restrictive. All of the following information is based upon what is found at Nevada Revised Statutes 484D.450, 484D.460, and 484D.470, plus some recent case law. Note that NRS474D.470(3) provides that the 70% under the second number below may be decreased to compensate for the loss of any light that may occur as a result of window tinting. There are two additional exceptions to the above rules that applies to medical patients and military personnel that will be discussed below. The first number is the Visible Light Transmission ("VLT") number that refers to the amount of natural light that can come through the window film. The second number is the Reflectivity number that refers to the amount of light that is reflected off the window film. As in many states, if a Nevada police officer stops you and you have an amount of tint on your windows that violates one or both of these rules , the officer will commonly give you a "fix-it ticket". This ticket is not a criminal charge as may occur in other states.
Generally speaking, the legal requirements for tinted windows in Nevada as of 2015 are as follows: Front Windshield Side Windows Passenger Vehicles The same restrictions apply for SUVs and Vans. Trucks Front Window Reflectivity Rear Window requirements are the same as in passenger vehicles. Passengers with Medical Needs Active Duty Military Personnel As noted above, there are some exceptions and special needs considerations for people who may have eye conditions that make them more sensitive to light and searching for the right environmental and traffic conditions is a vital part of their medical care. On the other end of the spectrum, active duty military personnel and their dependents are also afforded certain exemptions.
Permissible Tint Darkness
For sedans, SUVs, vans, and most other vehicles in the state of Nevada, the following tint percentages are allowed: Cars manufactured after January 1, 1985, must have window tint that is either at 35% VLT or above, or 20% VLT or above. For those that are required to have AS-1 or AS-2 tinted on the windshield (typically those over 5 tons GVWR), the tint on the windshield must be at least 70% VLT. Cars made before 1985 did not have a VLT requirement, so the state marks these as exempt. For SUVs, vans, and pick-up trucks manufactured after January 1, 2009, the percentage of tint must be at least: 35% VLT for the rear and side windows; and 70% VLT for the windshield tint, if any. Those that predate 2009 are exempt. For passenger vans manufactured after January 1, 1985, the percentage of tint must be at least: 35% VLT for the rear and side windows; and 70% VLT for the windshield tint, if any. Those that predate 1985 are exempt. For larger vehicles over 7,500 pounds GVWR, including passenger vans made after January 1, 1985, the percentage of tint must be at least 35% VLT for the rear and side windows, and 70% VLT for the windshield tint, if any. Cars manufactured prior to 1985 do not have requirements, and are exempt. For campers and motor homes manufactured after January 1, 1985, the percentage of tint must be at least: 35% VLT for the rear and side windows; and 70% VLT for the windshield tint, if any. Those that predate 1985 are exempt.
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
Exemptions and special cases to Nevada tint laws 2023
Along with the strict tint advice, there are some exemptions and special cases worth keeping in mind. In some scenarios you may actually be allowed to tint more than is generally considered legal (depending on your unique situation). A medical exemption can be requested if you or someone in your household has an eye health condition that requires additional sun or brightness protection. This can involve providing documentation from you or the subject’s doctor to local authorities. Once granted, your window tints are exempt from legal requirements, meaning you can apply all tinting products regardless of darkness or light transmission. While this certainly does give you more freedom, you should make sure that you get an exemption strictly for medical reasons rather than for cosmetic purposes. When it comes to medical and any other exemption, you should keep in mind: they don’t carry over state lines. In some other states you may be granted a high level of tint, but in Nevada all tint is reviewed by a police department or county assessor’s office. They will determine if you meet the requirements for a tint exemption. Some vehicles have factory tint already installed, which is often accepted as being within the legal percentage. Often the manufacturers provide sufficient proof of their tint’s darkest admissible percentage, which will help when seeking exemption. However, if an officer stops you and believes that you are exceeding the legal amount of tint, you may still be in trouble. In this case, it is up to you to demonstrate that the tint is, indeed, factory-installed. For vehicles that have this, there is often enough visibly on the driver or passenger seat windows, yet this is still able to be removed if the new tint darkness exceeds the legal amount.
Fines for Violation
When it comes to window tint, Nevada law is less than forgiving. Failure to comply with state laws can result in a number of serious penalties. The first issue you might encounter is a fine. If you reside in Clark County and choose to violate the tint-of-windows law, you might be slapped with a hefty $250 ticket. While this isn’t so severe, you might want to think of the long-term. First, violations will add up quickly if you are caught repeatedly. Second, the law may get stricter depending on enforcement. With the ever-increasing prevalence of tint-related accidents due to low-visibility, you can expect the police to crack down on the matter once wider awareness is spread.
But fines are not the only thing to worry about. If the tint is deemed dangerous by the officer (for instance , if a malfunctioning window tint led to a fatal accident), the offender may be charged with a misdemeanor or even a gross misdemeanor. The latter is a serious offense with a punishment of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $2,000.
That’s not all. While having dark tint is an offense in and of itself, it’s also possible to accidentally break even darker tint laws during manufacturing or installation. These offenses are typically handled in the following way:
• First offense: Arrest, citation, or warning.
• Second offense: Arrest, citation, or warning.
• Third offense: At this point, the law is less clear. Due to your habitual offenses, it’s possible that you could be charged with a gross misdemeanor, resulting in a $5,000 fine and incarceration for a year.
Tips for Compliant Window Tinting
Tips for Legal Window Tinting in Nevada
Stay Informed: Know the limits for windshield tint before you visit your local Nevada tint shop. What are the darkness and reflectivity limits for windows and windshields? When can you get a tint exemption and how do you obtain one in Clark County or elsewhere? Find a Reputable Tint Shop: Seek out the advice of experienced tint professionals who can help steer you in the right direction for legal tinting services. They will know the exact darkness and reflectivity limits for your make and model of car and can help you avoid hefty fines. Be Wary of Pre-Cut Tint Kits: Many of these retail kits run the risk of not being legal. You don’t want to have to peel off your newly tinted windows after paying to have them don’t. Always check state laws before purchasing pre-cut tint kits. Choose Only Authorized Materials: Avoid the temptation to try to save money by choosing materials that haven’t been authorized by the state. You not only risk extra expense when it comes time to have your tint removed, but you’re also risking potentially hazardous window conditions. You could also risk having your windows scratched or otherwise damaged by the unsafe materials used in illegal tint jobs. Research Automotive Tint Laws For All Cars You Own: Nevada tint laws apply equally to all vehicles, including SUVs, autos, trucks and vans.
Nevada Tint FAQs
In this section, we’ll clarify some frequently asked questions that we get from our clients:
To be legal, how much light should be allowed in a car’s windows?
If you are going to apply tint, the tint must allow at least 35% of the light to come in. The windshield, despite being a window, cannot be tinted, with the exception of an eight inch strip across your dashboard.
What kind of do-it-yourself tint can I get?
You can purchase window tint kits from major retailers for the "Do It Yourself" experience. You just need to indicate your first and second car’s year, make, model and sedan or SUV to the tint retailer. The tint is approximately $70-500, depending on your vehicle. The trick is applying the tint correctly. If you use an auto window tint kit and apply the tint incorrectly, you’ll be subject to traffic tickets until the window tint is removed or replaced.
How much window tint is too dark?
Window tint darkness is measured by the percentage of visible light allowed in through the tinted windows. As stated above , Nevada allows 35% VLT on the front 2 windows and back window. The front windshield must not have any tint — except for the strip of darkness which is allowed at the top. You can legally have tint on your windows as long as you have at least 35% VLT – any tint darker than that is illegal.
How are window tint laws enforced in Nevada?
The Nevada Highway Patrol enforces Nevada’s window tint laws.
Can I get a ticket for too much window tint?
Yes. If you have too much window tint, you could potentially be stopped by law enforcement. You may be given a fine for violating the tint law. The fine will notify you that you need to fix the problem of having too much window tint. The fine is not required to be paid immediately, but you should not operate the motor vehicle until the window tint issue has been corrected.
What are the benefits of quality auto tint?
Here are a few reasons to consider purchasing auto window tint:
We encourage you to apply quality auto tint to your car windows to protect your investment and improve your health.