Tint Laws in Indiana Explained
In order to ensure the safest possible conditions on public roadways, each state maintains its own set of guidelines regarding automotive window tinting. However, window tinting laws can be complex and confusing for many drivers, particularly those who have just recently moved from one state to another. Fortunately, Indiana’s tint laws are fairly straightforward.
Indiana window tint law states that passenger vehicles may be tinted no darker than a percentage of 30 on the front windows and no less than a percentage of 20 on the rear. However, Indiana does not allow tinted windows on any SUVs, vans or SUV-like vehicles that will be issued a manufacturer’s statement of origin or certificate of title. Additionally, Indiana does not allow front windshield tinting that extends down to below the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches of the windshield, whichever of the two is higher. Not only is this true for the front windshield, but this ruling also holds true for the tinting of windows on trucks, buses, vans and multipurpose vehicles as well .
There are also certain restrictions on color and opacity for Indiana window tints. For example, any Indiana tint containing red, amber or yellow colors are not permitted. Consequently, these colors should be avoided at all costs to prevent not only being pulled over by law enforcement, but also being forced to pay a fine that can cost hundreds of dollars or even be required to have the tint removed from your vehicle.
These rules are in place to help keep drivers safe on this state’s roadways. Furthermore, those who are familiar with Indiana tint laws are less likely to receive tickets for violating the rules or have to pay fines or replace tint that has been removed due to noncompliance. Therefore, it is important to become familiar with the specific tint requirements imposed by the state of your residence in order to reap the most benefits from having your vehicle tinted.
Different Tint Limits For Different Vehicles
Indiana’s Tint Laws are a little more flexible than many other states in that they vary based on the type of vehicle. There are two "front" windows to consider—those in front of the driver and passenger and those in front of the window for back passengers. While some states allow no tint at all on the windshield on any vehicle, Indiana allows up to 30%.
Sedans – the two types of windows at the front of the vehicle are both 30% VLT. The two back windows are allowed to be tinted to 30% VLT. The windshield is permitted to allow 30% VLT to pass through.
SUVs/Station Wagon – similar to sedans, SUVs and station wagons are allowed to have the same levels of tint as stated above (30% VLT front two windows, 30% VLT back two windows, 30% VLT windshield). The difference is that an SUV’s back windows are considered to be those in the suicide position, meaning the panels that open from the middle, backward. Again, SUVs can have 30% VLT for the rear windshield as well.
Pickups/Crossovers – the two front side windows must allow at least 35% of visible light to come through. For the rear windows (which are considered to be those that slide down rather than the suicide doors), as well as the rear windshield, the tint may allow 20% to come through.
Van/Bus – the sides of a van will likely have the same requirements as those for SUVs or XCROSSOERS while the rear windshield will have the same specifications as pickups and crossovers. Honduras may have different regulations.
Exceptions And Special Cases
Indiana understands that there are certain situations in which a pass-through exemption is warranted. For these circumstances, the Indiana vehicle code provides a process through which a driver can obtain an exemption. These exemptions are not automatically granted; instead, they are given on a case-by-case basis according to the specifics of the individual situation.
The automatic exemptions provided by the code only cover the front side windows and the windshield. These exemptions typically apply to new cars that are designed with darker windows or after-market tint that was permitted under grandfathering rules.
For rear side windows and rear window, no tint is permitted.
Windshield: Tint is permitted only when an exemption sticker is issued by Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The medical exemption sticker may be obtained through application to the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Dealer Services Division.
Front side windows: Must have at least 30% light transmission, except for vehicles operated by law enforcement officers who require additional protection at higher risk of injury.
Rear side windows and rear window: Must allow at least 30% light transmission.
Passenger vehicles: Automatic exception granted to passenger vehicles designed to be used regularly for the transport of people for hire, such as buses and vans.
Emergency vehicles: Automatic exemptions granted to police, fire, emergency medical and rescue vehicles.
Military personnel: Active duty military personnel are automatically exempt from front side window tint requirements when in uniform.
Leased vehicles: Temporary exemptions granted to passengers in vehicles leased for less than one year.
Private passenger vehicles for hire: Passengers are exempted from the front windshield tint requirements.
Passenger vehicles owned by press: Members of the press are exempted from front side window tint requirements if they are members of a recognized press corps in the state.
Repeat offenders: Owners with two or more convictions in three years for violating window tint law receive mandatory court appearance.
You may apply for an exemption sticker to place on your windshield. You will need a certificate from your physician if you are applying because of a medical necessity. The application asks for personal and vehicle information. You will also need to describe the medical condition and how it is relieved by operating a the vehicle with a tinted windshield.
If your physician recommends tint on the front windshield, you must produce a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles in which you are applied to receive an Exemption Certificate.
If you intend to apply for an exemption sticker, you should do so before removing any after-market tint.
You may lose the right to receive a medical exemption sticker if convicted of unlawful use of tint.
If you are stopped by law enforcement and ordered to remove the tint from your windshield, do so immediately, even if you intend to petition the DMV for a medical exemption.
Failure to remove the illegal tint subjects you to citation, fines and the possible loss of driving privileges.
Note: Indiana’s tint laws are enforced by local police officers. However, local ordinances may be more restrictive or more lenient than the state law. Check with the ordinance specific to your city.
Penalties For Tint Law Violations
Failure to comply with Indiana’s tint regulations can result in a ticket or citation, and consist of a fine between $25 – $500 that goes to your county. You may not be pulled over for having window tint that is too dark, but it may be noticed once you are stopped for another reason. If a law enforcement officer notices your tint isn’t within the legal limit while driving, you can expect to receive a citation like you were pulled over for the tint. If the tint is particularly dark to the point it makes visibility difficult for the officer , you could receive another ticket for obstructed vision.
A person who has an accumulated number of points on their driving record from traffic infractions may have their license suspended or revoked by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Accumulated points can affect insurance rates at the discretion of the insurer as well. Points for tinted window violations usually range from 2 to 8. If you are pulled over multiple times and repeat the tinted windows violation, you may end up with costlier citations and more points on your driving record than the first time you were pulled over. Repeat offenses will add up on your record and likely increase the value of any traffic tickets you receive.
Window Tint Choices To Avoid Fines
To choose legal window tint for your vehicle, it’s important to understand what constitutes legal tint and the benefits involved. With the legal limit for window tint in Indiana being 30% VLT, 30% windshield tint is a good choice. In addition to not being too dark, 30% tint provides 99% UV protection which helps prevent skin damage and fading. It also eliminates glare issues which is great for nighttime driving. 30% tint is also a good choice when you consider being pulled over and fined for window tint. Police officers do not have time to measure tint and if they suspect that your tint is too dark, they will not be bothered to measure it. 50% tint is not dark enough to provide the benefits of heat and glare reduction. With 50% tint, you cannot tell whether the window has tint, so there is no real advantage to having it done and you take the risk of being pulled over and fined for illegal tint. You can avoid the hassle of installation and still have the perfect legal tint for your windows by working with truck and auto professionals who specialize in tinting windows. Additionally, these professionals can provide you with information about your tint options and the legal requirements in your state to ensure that you make an informed decision and that your tint is representative of the limit in your state. Professional installation also ensures a proper tint job the first time around, eliminating the need to re-tint your windows if the tint you had installed is not legal in the state of Indiana.
Common Tint Law Questions
These are some answers to the questions I get most often about Indiana’s laws regarding tint on car windows and windshields.
Q: Is the front windshield legally allowed to be tinted?
A: In Indiana, there is no legal tint allowed on the full front windshield, although there is an exception that does allow for a "strip" of tinted film to go across the very top of the windshield. Meaning, you can have a non-reflective tint strip at the top of the windshield that is 5 inches in width.
Q: Is it illegal to have a darker tint installed on the front windshield than is permitted under the law?
A: Yes. Using film that is darker than the limits allowed on the windshield and using substances like spray-on tint are clear violations of the law and can lead to a citation.
Q: Does Indiana have windshield tinting medical exemptions that allow for darker tint or tint on the full windshield?
A: No . There are no medical exemptions in Indiana that permit any exemptions to the state’s window tint laws. Although some states do permit exemptions for individuals who have medical conditions that may require them to use darker tint, Indidan does not have such an exemption in its law.
Q: Are there any other common mistakes people make regarding tint laws?
A: One common misconception I see is that people think or are told that the tint must be a certain reflectivity, when in actuality there is no reflectivity limit on the back windows of vans, SUVs, and trucks.
Another common mistake is using reflective tint on the front windshield, which is illegal in Indiana. However, you are only prohibited from having reflective film on the front windshield; there is no limit on reflectivity on the back windows of SUVs, trucks and vans.