What is Michigan Tint Law?
The primary purpose of the Michigan tint law is to ensure that drivers aren’t impeded by window tinting that makes it impossible to see and identify other drivers or any activity going on inside a vehicle. The Law establishes maximum allowances for the amount of light that can be transmitted through window film, which also helps to reduce the amount of how much sunlight accumulates in your vehicle’s interior – minimizing the exposure that people, the upholstery and electronic gadgets that are typically located there have to the sun’s harsh rays.
Car window tinting is basically a big piece of plastic film that’s put directly over your vehicle’s glass. Tint is used for a number of reasons, not all of them legal. In larger cities where there is a lot of traffic, there are rogue tinted-window shops that will "blackout" windows so that pedestrians and other motorists can’t see who is inside the vehicle. This is specifically designed to conceal criminal activity. In addition, there have been reported instances of vehicles-especially stolen vehicles-donning window tint that is darker than is allowed by Michigan tint law to make it more difficult for law enforcement officers to identify the thieves/exact vehicle type so they can be captured.
Fortunately , the vast majority of tint installers are pros who know the law and successfully help to keep people-and their belongings inside the vehicles they drive – as safe as possible. With regard to the latter, today’s window tint products contain special sun protection filters, so limit the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light that passes through the windows and into your auto’s interior. This usually contributes to your vehicle’s resale value, to boot.
Automobiles are the main beneficiaries of window tint design technology, but it can also be used on aircraft, boats, buses, trains, and even houses and buildings. It’s singular purpose is to filter out certain types of light rays, and to provide people with privacy and protection.
In a nutshell, if you drive on Michigan roads and want to have your vehicle tinted, you’ll need to be cognizant of the state’s tint regulations in order to procedurally comply. Failure to do so could subject you to a traffic stop and a possible ticket.
A vehicle is considered "not conforming" to Michigan tint law if its tint violates the requirements set forth in Michigan Compiled Laws MCL 257.709, MCL 257.710d, and MCL 257.710e.
Tint Legal Limits in Michigan
In Michigan, the state guidelines for auto window tint limit the front 2 side windows to no more than 35% VLT (Visible Light Transmission), and unlimited darkness on the rear and side windows. The windshield cannot be tinted below the AS-1 line that is found along the top of the windshield. If there is not an AS-1 line, you can tint the top 5 inches of the windshield. While the rear windshield does not have any limitations, only the manufacturer’s certificate for the film in use will determine if it is legal. Driving with a broken, damaged or cracked tint film can be a hindrance. Therefore, it is always suggested to have a certified, competent dealer apply a new tint film when repairs are needed.
Exemptions and Exceptions
While Michigan’s tint law has its standard rules and regulations, there are exemptions for certain vehicles or special circumstances. These exemptions can include medical exemptions for individuals who suffer from conditions that require them to be exempt from the tint law. Examples can include:
- Albinism
- Vitiligo
- Melasma
To obtain an exemption, you’ll need to provide extensive documentation for their situation. A signed statement from your doctor or optometrist regarding your condition, as well as the need to avoid sun damage.
Many individuals who have vehicles that have been factory-tinted or tinted before the tint law came into effect can have their application for exemption approved. Because this exemption is based on tinting conducted before the law was enacted (which goes back to 1986), it’s often less work to get an exemption now. Driver’s are encouraged to keep receipts and any other information that can show the tint on their vehicle predates 1986.
Penalties for a Violation
While the tint law we discuss in this blog post, and Tip Sheet "Tint Law for Window Tinting in Michigan", are not the most harsh of state laws, they still have implications if not followed. A number of cities, such as Traverse City, are extremely serious about dealing with window tint issues and are aggressively ticketing both passenger vehicle and commercial motor vehicle drivers. For Michigan drivers, this should be consideration in their cost / benefit analysis for using window tint anywhere on their vehicles. For passenger vehicles, the penalty for violating the tint law is a $125 fine. For commercial motor vehicles, the fine is $350.00. Further, for Passenger buses, the fine is $500, and motor trucks, truck tractors, trailers, and truck tractors with trailers, the fine is $250. Fining violations of the tint law is generally considered the purview of law enforcement officer, although the tint law applies to vehicles on public roadways, such as parking lots, trails, retail lots, etc. It is very common for police officers to inspect vehicles at roadside check points, particularly as they prepare to enter or leave an urban area . Beyond the fine, a conviction for tint violation will also potentially have both negative and costly results for the driver. A conviction for a misdemeanor or felony will generally increase the rates charged by the driver’s insurance provider. For passenger vehicles with basic tint, the cost increase is often a one-time or rolling monthly addition to the policy; however, for commercial vehicles, the fees can be more than $200 per month for multiple years. Further, a misdemeanor or felony conviction will also result in a criminal record for the vehicle owner, which can impact their ability to earn a living, borrow money, or even travel for an extended period of time. For example, felony convictions prohibit United States Veterans from receiving certain military benefits, including access to the Veterans Affairs’ healthcare system. Convictions will also appear on background checks performed by potential employers, which make finding a job more difficult, particularly for at-will employees. A felony conviction will also result in the loss of voting and/or gun rights, depending upon the state. As such, it is extremely important to follow the tint restrictions in Michigan.
Michigan Tint Law Tips and Advice
Ensuring your window tint complies with Michigan law is not as simple as knowing what is allowed for each window. It is also important to choose a legal tint film and ensure that it adheres to the law, even after being cleaned or repaired. Here are some practical tips to help ensure your window tint is legal:
- When selecting a tint, keep in mind it is not just about the shade, but also the material. There are several options out there, but not all of them will meet Michigan’s tint requirements. In addition to prohibiting reflectivity above the legal limit, Michigan law says tinting films must have certification labeling. Be sure to choose a film that has a labelling sticker indicating it meets federal and state requirements. Only films complying with the requirements may be applied to vehicles’ windows.
- If the window tint incorporates aftermarket film, the manufacturer must certify that the film complies with federal regulations and applicable state law. To maintain compliance with the law, always keep the producer’s certificate and any other paperwork necessary to verify the window tint complies with the law.
- Keep in mind that all windows, except for the windshield, are subject to the tint law. As such, all motor vehicle makers’ specifications must be adhered to regardless of the side.
- As mentioned above, not all tint films are created equal. Just because a film is legal for one piece of glass—or even an entire series—does not mean it will be legal on every piece of glass in your vehicle. Always consult with an expert to be sure the entire light transmitting portion of your windows remains compliant. For this reason, it is always best to have your tint installed by someone familiar with Michigan law.
- Because window cleaning and repair can sometimes have an effect on the window tint, such as necessitating using a razor blade to remove air bubbles, it is important to return to the installer for any cleaning and repair on the window tint in order to ensure continued compliance. Often, a warranty will require any such work be done by the original installer anyway.
Future of Michigan Tint Law
Michigan tint law has evolved over the years to incorporate changes in technology, safety, and public demand. As attitudes towards vehicle customization continue to shift, and as manufacturers offer new window technologies, lawmakers will likely continue to adapt the rules governing window tint. For example, the automotive glass industry is developing self-tinting windows that are able to tint based on the brightness and angle of the sun. This means that vehicles will have window tint that changes dynamically while in operation, rather than a fixed tint pattern that was applied by a manufacturer or aftermarket window tinter. Although in high volume production today this product appears to be economically infeasible, evolution in the tinting market may be something law makers need to address in the future.
During 2013, the Michigan Legislature introduced several bills that would have modified the tint law. One bill would have authorized a sun screening device by way of a film, fabric, or other material permanently mounted along the top of the windshield, no more than 5 inches below the uppermost portion of the windshield. Like many of the bills introduced to amend Michigan tint law, this bill did not make it out of the Committee on Transportation. However, the bill was opposed by the Michigan State Police, who indicated that they were concerned that this would be confused with all types of tinting, which would allow vehicle occupants to be subject to the UV light and other effects of the sun, while compromising the visibility of the operator .
Another bill was introduced to require that persons who install window tinting be licensed. However, no individual is currently required to possess any particular experience or training in order to conduct such installations. This bill would have authorized only those individuals who obtained licenses, and completed a given number of hours of continuing education regarding the application of window tint to obtain the necessary licensure to apply such a tint. As this bill was also not adopted, it seems unlikely that the legislature will pass such a bill in this coming cycle, again due to the lack of any sex of statewide organization that oversees those who install such tint.
Michigan tint law does not appear to be under any immediate threat of reduction of the allowable tint levels. The consensus across the legislature is that the tint law provides for adequate protection for law enforcement officers without compromising the ability of vehicle occupants to obtain reasonable tint that is self-monitored.
As manufacturers like Ford and General Motors begin to offer factory-installed window shades to tint the windows automatically, these products may qualify as "electrochromic tint" that is already permissible under Michigan tint law. However, as the S&P 500 shifts toward such vehicles, these products will become much more expensive as demand increases. These economic considerations make it unlikely that these products will lead to a revision in the legal definition of window tint.