Is It Legal To Tint My Windshield In Florida?

    The windshield is usually the largest window in a vehicle, allowing a lot of light, and therefore heat, to enter the vehicle. We get requests on a daily basis for window tinting a cars windshield, but there seems to be a wide misconception on what window film is legal for windshield installation.


    The most common windshield tint installation is a visor strip, or an "eye-brow". This is installed on the top portion of the windshield and acts as a glare reducer, shielding drivers from harsh glare and making driving in the sun more comfortable. Florida law states that the visor strip can be installed "so long as such material is transparent and does not encroach upon the driver's direct forward viewing area as more particularly described and defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 205 and 128 as the AS/1 portion of the windshield." The AS-1 line can be found on most vehicles near the upper corner, or less commonly in the middle near the rear view mirror.

What tint is legal on my windshield. This is a view of a vehicles AS-1 marking.

Read more

Reduce Heat, Not visibillity, with LLumar's AIR 80 Windshield Tint

While other films employ very dark tinting to achieve certain levels of heat rejection, LLumar's AIR 80 provides high heat rejection that is light enough to meet Florida tinting laws.

In Florida's harsh climate, LLumar AIR 80 can keep your car's interior surfaces up to 30F cooler!

High-Tech Protection

The incredibly advanced AIR 80 film uses nano-ceramic technology to acheive its extraordinary level of prtoection. This protection has been specially designed with your car's electronic accessories in mind: Air 80 does not interfere with cell phones, radios, radar detectors, or global postioning systems!

Cool as Ice: LLumar Air 80 enhances your car's appearnace on the outside - and your car's comfort on the inside!

Big Rig Protection!

Long hours on the road put you at a higher risk for increased UVA exposure, a known contributor to skin cancer. Until now, window films that could help reduce UVA exposure were not allowed on FDOT vehicles. LLumar's AIR 80 meets FDOT requirements to keep you rolling on the road while prtoectng you from the harmful affects of increased UVA exposure.

LLumar's AIR 80 is a safe and legal solution to protecting yourself on the road! Florida Window Films is a qualified installer!

Call or Click Florida Window Films today for a free estimate!

Read more

Big rig truckers get a "10-4" to use UV protectant window films to guard against skin cancer

A recent clarification to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) highway safety regulations now allows the millions of truckers across the nation to utilize UV protecting window films on their cabs windows.

DOT eases window film restrictions on big rigs to help protect drivers against skin cancer

The change follows numerous studies showing higher than normal skin cancer rates on the left side of the face and arm. America's long haul truckers are at severe risk of sun exposure and deserve to be protected.


High performance window films will block over 99% of the suns harmful UVA rays, which have been linked to cancer. "The health and safety of America's truck drivers is of the utmost importance to American Trucking Associations," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Whether it is doing more to battle obesity and sleep apnea, or helping our drivers avoid skin cancer, ATA has consistently advocated for sensible regulations to ensure our drivers get and stay healthy."

A chart explaining the three different wavelengths of UV radiation

Our professional window film specialists can help determine what window films meet the DOT's requirements. These films will reduce heat into the vehicle, reduce glare, create privacy, add style and comfort and block the suns harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Get protected!

Florida Window Films 

Read more

Florida Window Tinting Laws

The current Florida window tinting law's were enacted in 1991. The State of Florida sets specific guidelines for the darkness, location, and reflectivity of any window film installed on a motor vehicle. These are set in sections 316.2952 through 316.2956 of the Florida Statutes.

Darkness

VLT, or Visual Light Transmission, is how one expresses the "darkness" of a film. The lower the number, the darker the film. Florida law allows a net VLT of 28% on the two front side windows, and a net VLT of 15% on the back side and rear windows. Keep in mind that this is a net VLT of the film plus the glass! Glass does not have a VLT of 100%. Most automotive glass has a VLT of 68%-82%. So the proper window film must be installed to make sure that the total net VLT is within the legal limits!

For MPV's (i.e., Limousines, off-road, etc.), back windows are limited to 6% VLT

Visual Light meters, like the one above, are used to determine what a windows light transmission is.

Reflection

A films reflectiveness is also limited. For front side windows there is a limit at 25% and for the back side and rear windows this is 35%



Colors
In Florida, colored films (tint) are not allowed. (i.e., Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange, etc.)



Windshield Strips
Florida allows film on front windshields so long as such material is transparent and does not encroach upon the driver's direct forward viewing area as more particularly described and defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 205 and 128 as the AS/1 portion of the windshield. If no AS/1 line is visible, then 5" from the top of the windshield.




 
Note: You will normally find the AS/1 marking on the upper left or upper right corner of the windshield. Sometimes the AS/1 mark is in the middle, and sometimes there is no marking at all.
 
Window tinting laws vary from state to state. If your vehicle is within the legal limit in the state in which it is registered than you cannot be cited for illegal window tinting in another state with different laws. However, you still may be stopped!

What's the fine for illegal window tinting?

In Florida, illegal window tinting is a non-moving violation. The fine is currently $116 per infraction A police officer can write a citation for each window that is in violation!!!!! This can add up quickly!

Overview

• Current law enacted in 2005
• Net value of Film + Glass
• Car's visual light transmission (darkness) 28% front side and 15% back side
• MPV's allowed 6% on back side
• Windshield to AS/1 or 5"
• Reflection of 25% on front side and 35% on back side
• NO COLORS ALLOWED

 

Medical exemption

Medical exemptions are available for certain conditions where excessive light or UV rays can be very dangerous. Call or email for more information about medical window tint exemptions


There are many good reasons to keep it legal:

1. IT"S THE LAW
2. You and the installer could be subject to substantial fines.
3. You could be subject to legal action (Don't underestimate litigation costs!)
4. Manufacturers warranties only cover installations that meet state law.
5. It's the right thing to do and our reputation is important to us!

Visit Florida Window Films to find out more information about window tinting and Florida Tint laws.

Read more