An Overview of Alabama Tint Laws
Alabama Tint Laws require that no more than 35% visible light be allowed in the rear window or the rear side facing windows. Also, the rear windows of trucks and vans must have a VLT of 32%, colorless or tinted, or the glass must be manufacturer’s marked with AS-2, AS-5, or DS.
Alabama Tint Laws allow for a 20% VLT on all front facing windows. In other words, at least one fifth (1/5) of the light must be able to penetrate through the tinted window to be legal.
Last but not least is the windshield. Alabama Tint Laws are much stricter when it comes to the windshield, allowing only 32% of the light to pass through. However, exceptions are allowed if a strip that is not wider than 5 inches (12.7 cm), in ACV or ACR tint, is placed on the top, essentially adhering to the same guidelines when it comes to the front windows.
First and foremost, Alabama law forbids the use of red or amber colored shades or tints. Additionally, they also completely outlaw any shades or tints on the front windshield. When it comes to the back windshield, Alabama Tint Laws allow for the windows to be tinted as dark as the driver chooses. Of course, though, this does not mean that all classes of vehicles can legally have an extremely dark tint.
Alabama Tint Laws state that windows for trucks, vans, and SUV’s must have a VLT of at least 8%. If you don’t own one of these classes of vehicles, then your vehicle will have to pass the same tint regulations as sedans.
While some states have a thickness standard for window tint, Alabama is not one of those states . Also, as there is no film certification criteria, any tint on the car window is acceptable, as long as the VLT guidelines are adhered to.
Unofficially, Alabama Tint Laws seem to be somewhat relaxed, in that most vehicles do get inspected. Probable explanations for this are the amount if mileage that gets put on vehicles that live in the rural areas of this Southern state.
To sum it all up, Alabama Tint Laws require that:
Windshield tinted must have a VLT of 32% or higher and may have a strip no wider than 5" across the top of the windshield.
Front driver and passenger windows may have a tint darkness of up to 20%.
Any factory tinted window is legal on the back windows of vans, SUVs, and trucks.
The law does not allow any dark tint on the front windshield.
Alabama tint laws prohibit the use of red or amber colored tint on any window.
With all of that being said, there are some things that Alabama tint laws do not address. For example, while manufacturers are required to label the tinted windows of any vehicle, with a sticker the same color as the tint, this law is not well enforced. Operators in the State of Alabama have been known to use aftermarket tint. In the case of the windshield, tinted from the manufacturer, thus having a VLT of 32%, and changing it to a lower VLT, to get a deeper ‘smoky black’ tint. Not only this, but some in the State of Alabama have used film for the driver and passenger windows, tinted to a 5% VLT without the authorities being any the wiser.
Window Tint Percentages and Restrictions
Like with other states, the tint percentages allowed on vehicles in Alabama are not wholly uniform. Cars generally have different restrictions than larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs. The window tint percentages allowed on a sedan are as follows: All Sedans Front Windows: 6 inch top strip with 32%VLT all around Back Windows: 6 inch top strip with 32%VLT all around Windshield: 6 inch top strip, no VLT requirement Passenger vans, SUVs, vehicles used as multipurpose vehicles, trucks, vans, and pick-ups (classifications normally applied to non-cars) All Windows: 6 inch top strip with 20%VLT on the front windows and 6 inch top strip with 32%VLT all around Windshield: 6 inch top strip, no VLT requirement Limitations: no mirrored window tint is allowed, reflective window tint is limited to a maximum of 20% and must be placed only above the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield, no color tint is allowed on back windows, and only red, amber, and yellow tint can be used on the front windows.
Exemptions and Special Cases
There are exemptions to the tint laws. If you were to get a medical exemption, the way to obtain a medical exemption is to visit a dermatologist or an ophthalmologist. And they can provide you with documentation that you have a medical condition that requires you to have tinted windows.
The police or law enforcement officers in Alabama are not permitted to issue you a medical exemption on their own. You have to have the documentation from a licensed practitioner, either a dermatologist or an ophthalmologist.
We have helped people get tinted windows under these circumstances, and the fines that are associated with having darkly tinted windows can really add up over time. They’re usually $200 to $600 for your first one. If you go to court for it, they can be reduced. They usually charge about $250. But if you don’t do anything, the fine mount up pretty quickly.
And we have been very successful in getting people tinted windows, even if they’re not tinted all the way down to VLT or SR-36. We have had no problems getting those exempted by the prosecutor.
Penalties for Tint Law Violations
Fortunately, violating tint laws may not result in administrative points or license suspension in many states, at least as opposed to DUI and traffic violations.
Instead, the penalties are generally civil penalties in the form of fines. Specifically, fines paid increase in severity with greater levels of infractions for tinted windows and darker tint. Below are examples of the penalties for excessive tint in Alabama.
Section 32-5B-6.1(a) of Alabama law states: The owner and/or operator of the motor vehicle shall be responsible for compliance with these requirements and shall be subject to the following fines:
First offense – $100.00
Second offense – $200.00
Third offense – $300.00
Basically, if you get pulled over for dark tint, the officer will issue a warning and fine you on the first and second offense. On the third infraction, you will be fined $300. In this case, the feds do not require convictions to punish drivers.
That said, the penalty system is not uniform. Because tint laws are civil matters, cities and municipalities may enforce their own tint rules , so the penalties may differ by jurisdiction within Alabama. For example, municipalities in Alabama have the authority to create laws that differentiate between the inside and outside windows. They can also issue fines that do not follow state law.
The tint on your car’s windshield should not be less than 20 percent reflective, and windows to the rear seat may be tinted to a maximum of 32 percent reflecting 50 percent to 35 percent visible light. While the tint may be darker if a certified sticker is placed near the window, hoops like that can be a hassle. Something else to be aware of is that the reflective tint on the windshield cannot have more than 2.5 percent reflectivity.
To reduce the number of citations, get your tint from a reputable distributor. Check all the windows to make sure there are no scratches, fading, or significant distortion in the film. With that said, Alabama tint laws are similar to those of other Southeastern states. If the tint is free from scratches and bubbles, it will likely pass inspection and avoid fines.
Compliant Window Tint Installation Tips
Before investing in window tint, it is imperative for Alabama residents and businesses to carefully consider which materials comply with state regulations. The information outlined in the "Material Requirements" section is a great differentiator when discerning between non-compliant tint and legal tint—however, there are additional factors that should be considered as well.
Another important factor to consider is the tinting installation company and its employees. Since tint installers are expected to have a detailed understanding of the law, asking a few questions up front can help ensure you’ve selected an installer that will adhere to legal requirements and make your investment last.
- Is the installer licensed? Having the necessary tools and equipment does not necessarily mean your installer is licensed. Additionally, businesses that advertise their tinting services on sites like Craig’s List may not be licensed either. So when inquiring about the license, be sure it’s one awarded by the Alabama Department of Revenue.
- Is the installer familiar with the law? It may sound basic, but verifying that your installer is familiar with the law before having the window film applied will save you time and money. Asking for evidence that they are aware of the limitations of tint for windshields, windows, and back glasses can help put your mind at ease.
- Does the installer have a warranty? The reality is, tint—no matter how high quality—is not fool-proof. The fact is, even the best tint jobs can bubble, peel, or discolor. By choosing a reputable installer that backs their work with a warranty, you can be assured your investment is protected regardless of the potential imperfection of the tint.
- How long has the installer been in business? It’s a smart idea to check how long the installer has been in business before trusting them to do the job. They should have the experience distance and the know-how that comes with years of tinting experience.
Recent Tint Law Changes
In 2018, the Alabama legislature passed several amendments to the tint laws, a handful of which went into effect in May of 2018. The most significant alterations to tint law in 2018 were the addition of 35% VLT for the Windshield Transparency and Tail Light Transparency allowances. Before this legislation, the VLT percentage permitted on the front windshield was not included in the law. Due to the lack of specification, it was relatively common for law enforcement to misunderstand the law and issue tickets for front windshield tint that met the 32% VLT requirement for the other windows of the vehicle, because there was no indication that the front window was to be 32% . Now, the law states specifically that the tint on the front windshield of a passenger vehicle must have a VLT of at least 35%. Also, the tint on the tail lights of a passenger vehicle must have a VLT of at least 35%. The new window tint law also specifies that the windshield of a SUV may have a VLT of 20% as long as the driver’s side and passenger’s side windows are 32%. The tail light transparency allowance for SUVs mandates that tint on the tail lights have a 20% VLT. For all other vehicles, the tint on the tail lights must be 35% VLT, and front windshield tint must have at least a 35% VLT. This alteration to the law also has the potential to quell some confusion when it comes to law enforcement issuing tickets for tint on SUVs.