Don't Get Caught Breaking This San Diego Window Tinting Law!
How to Keep Your Car Window Tinting Street Legal and Avoid Getting Fined
When you think about car audio installation and aftermarket car audio products, you think about the team at Car Stereo City San Diego. In fact, many people searching for the phrase “car audio near me” wind up at our shop. We’ve been upgrading vehicles with the very best in speakers, subwoofers, and stereos for years. However, our expertise doesn’t extend just to car audio. We’re also well known for installing vehicle accessories such as custom lighting, alarm systems, remote start kits, and even window tint.
Regarding professional window tint upgrades, they are perhaps one of the most inexpensive upgrades you can get for your vehicle while seeing the most amount of benefits. Not only does window tint elevate the overall look of the car, but it also helps maintain cool internal temperatures by blocking out the sun and UV rays. Window tint also helps conceal valuable items you may leave in the car, which reduces the chance of a break-in.
However, even with all the obvious benefits, we’ve seen some slight hesitation by customers due to the strict window tint laws that we have here in California. It’s no secret that police aren’t afraid to pull a person over if they feel a person’s window tint is too dark. To offer up a bit more info on that, we thought we’d run through some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the current window tint laws.
“What is the legal window tint level here in California?”
70% is the magic number. The law says up to 70% tint darkness is allowed in combination with factory-tinted windows. However, in the case of the rear windshield, any darkness level is allowed. Additionally, reflective window tint isn’t allowed on the first 4 inches of the front windshield or front side windows.
“What are the exceptions to the 70% rule?”
You can go darker than 70% if you have a medical need for it and have been cleared by a doctor. Examples of medical needs include photosensitivity, daylight sensitivity, or other medical issues that require darker tint. As long as you can prove it, you’re clear to go darker than 70%.
“Are there any color restrictions to window tint?”
One of the cool things about window tint is you can get it in varieties beyond black, which really allows you to customize the look and feel of your vehicle. However, there are some rules on the colors you can get. Red, blue, and amber are totally off-limits. If you get one of those colors installed, you can expect to be promptly pulled over and told to remove it along with being issued a ticket. Any other color is fine though.
“What’s the punishment for violating California’s window tint law?”
This is going to be different from person-to-person. At a minimum, you’ll be given a warning and sent away with marching orders to fix your tinting issue. However, some pull-overs for being in violation of window tint law result in a citation or an infraction.
“How can I be sure my window tint is legal?”
If you’re ever unsure about whether the window tint you’re about to get installed is following the letter of the law, just make sure to ask your installation professional about it. We can tell you from firsthand experience, the team at Car Stereo City San Diego is diligent about not performing installs of window tinting products that would put the car out of compliance.
Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Window Tint Today at Car Stereo City San Diego
If you’ve been searching “window tinting near me” then look no further than the pros here at Car Stereo City San Diego. We can not only professionally install premium window tinting products, we’ll make sure that your tint follows California state law so you don’t get hit with any tickets. In addition to installing window tint, we can help you out with any car audio needs you may have. We have some of the largest stock and widest selection of aftermarket car stereos, speakers, and subs from the industry’s top brands. The best way to see how we can elevate your ride is by swinging by the store with your vehicle.
You can visit our shop directly at 8252 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. located right here in sunny San Diego. If you’d like to make an appointment, call us at (858) 277-1823 or message us using the contact form on our website.