Question: I received a ticket from a police officer because he said my windows were too dark. He was fairly nice about it, but I’m still worried about the ticket increasing my car insurance rates. Is a window tint ticket considered a moving violation?
Answer:
Window tint may improve the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, but it can also lead to a traffic violation, and repeated offenses may impact your insurance rates. However, even though you may be pulled over while driving your vehicle, illegal tinting is generally not considered a moving violation.
States allow different levels of window tint, and they may allow different levels of tint on different windows. For example:
- Oregon: Window tint must allow at least 35% of light through the rear and side windows.
- Florida: No tint is allowed on the windshield below the AS1 line. The front side windows must allow at least 28% of light or more, and windows behind the driver—side windows and the rear windshield—must transmit at least 15% of light.
- California: Window tint must allow at least 70% of light through the front side windows. Back side windows have no tinting restrictions, provided your car has two side mirrors.
Some states also allow different levels of tint for different vehicles. Because of this, it’s wise to look at laws in your state before tinting your windows.
Penalties vary by state
The penalty you’ll receive for illegal tint also varies based on your state. For example:
- Oregon: Driving with illegal tint is punishable with a $360 fine.
- Florida: Illegal tinting is considered a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull you over solely for a suspected tinted window violation. Illegal tint is also a nonmoving violation. These are generally punished with a $30 ticket.
- California: Like Florida, window tint violations are considered primary offenses in California. You’ll likely receive the option to remove the tint and pay a fine of about $25.
Keep in mind that some states’ tint ticket charges are per illegally tinted window, so they can add up quickly. And if you choose not to remove your window tint and are stopped again, you may face escalating penalties, including increased fines or points on your license—and at that point, your window tint may impact your insurance rates.
Even if you don’t receive points for a violation, that’s not the only way window tint could impact your wallet. Say you get into a normally covered auto accident but are found to have illegal window tint. While your insurance will cover many of the repairs to your vehicle, it may not cover the replacement of your illegally tinted windows, leaving you on the hook.
Chris Burkhardt is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums. With Jerry, Chris hopes to help anyone with a question about their vehicle easily find the answers they are looking for. Whether you need to know how much insurance costs for a classic car, how to replace a broken light or tell if you need an oil change, Chris wants to help you find solutions the best he can. Prior to joining Jerry, Chris was a digital content producer and writer for NBC and a freelance editor for NerdWallet. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, if Chris is not working on content, he’s sure to be found cheering on his Ducks!
Alice Holbrook is an editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, including car insurance. She\’s passionate about creating easy-to-understand content that demystifies intimidating topics for readers. Previously, she worked for NerdWallet, and her work has been featured by Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Associated Press, among others.
