Tinting

samdajellybeenie14

samdajellybeenie14

New member
Hey,
For those who have dark window tint (let's say 40% and under) how do you get a brake tag if you live in a state (like Louisiana) where dark tint (<40%) is illegal?? I've wondering about getting my windows tinted but I still want to be able to get a brake tag... Also, I'm only posting this in the 3rd gen section because I have a 3rd gen. You admins can move it if you want...

I don't want to tint my windows like 10% only to find out that I can't get a brake tag and have to scrape it off because then it'll just look like sh*t. :ybrick:

Thanks! Sam
 
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I've never had a problem, everyone of my cars has been tinted for the past 18 years. A few years a go PA actually took the burden off the inspectors though. You can still get pulled over for it from what I understand but again, in 18 years I've never had an issue. I've been stopped for other things and the windows were never mentioned during any of those stops.
 
Since tinting is a state issue, I'd see if you can find others from LA on this board or talk to the folks at your inspection centers.

I know in Florida that tint usually isn't a big issue (although you can be ticketed for dark tint), but we also don't have state inspections.
 
Everybody I know In louisiana has tinted windows. They don't get re-tinted each year so I would assume it can be done.
 
My state has a tint law that regulates the front windshield and driver and passenger windows. Having any aftermarket tint on those windows triggers an extra $10 charge just for testing them at inspection time. For several years, having illegal tint and getting by with it was just a matter of taking it to the right place, where they would conveniently "forget" to check off "window tint" on the form. So, technically, they didnt pass it, they just did not check it. Over the past year, the state has really cracked down on the tint laws by coming down on the licensed inspectors. So, it is getting much more difficult to get by with it anymore. Last year, i gave in and took my daughters car to a tint shop and had the front window tint torn out and replaced with barely legal tint. They were still dark enough and still looked good, but i didnt have to worry about them being illegal anymore.

I have a friend who is a former city cop, then detective, and now is a state dmv inspector. Part of his job is cracking down on the inspection stations. He doesnt do traffic stops anymore but the state has mandated he and his peers to start pulling people over and writing citations for obvious window tint violations. It just isnt worth trying to get away with it anymore here. Though some still seem to be doing it.

I would just find out what the darkest legal tint is for your state and tint it that dark and no more and be done with it.
 
LA law says you've gotta have 40% up front on an suv, but I know plenty of people with 20% or less. You just gotta find a sketchy shop who will let it slide..
 
MrNiceGuy said:
LA law says you've gotta have 40% up front on an suv, but I know plenty of people with 20% or less. You just gotta find a sketchy shop who will let it slide..
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This would probably be your best bet. Or like suggested roll your windows down before you get there.

I didn't even know they checked tint for inspections here. (I bounce back and forth between Shreveport and Lake Charles) The place I go to doesn't. I don't have my front two tinted, buy my brothers has had 5% on his chevy pick-up for a good 8 years or so, he has never had a problem with inspections. (Tickets, Yes. Inspections, No)
 
About six months ago i got a ticket from a damn biker cop for illegal tint on the front. I had 20% all around. I went to court and found out the ticket was $225!!! Luckily i knew the judge. He was a customer of a dealership i used to work for and he remembered me. He made me removed my front tint and i only payed $20 court fee. I had my front windows retinted about 2 weeks ago.
 
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HCurphy said:
Or like suggested roll your windows down before you get there.
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Finding the sketchy shop and rolling down the windows trick may only get you so far. I've been down those roads already here in my state. The sketchy shops are getting harder to find because of the crackdowns and rolling down the windows is only going to fly if you find a sketchy shop to start with. Year before last, I did the roll down the windows trick and the shop passed my inspection without checking the "tint" box on the form. But, when they checked me out, they made the comment "your windows were rolled down, so we "forgot" check them for tint this time. But, next time we will have to check them (wink, wink)". In other words, we let you skate this time but it was the last time.

Here in NC, an inspection station has nothing to gain and everything to lose by letting you get by with things, especially things the state has told them to put emphasis on - like window tint. They get the same money whether you pass or not, though most will not charge you if you fail - even though they can. But if/when they get caught helping you cheat, they pay fines and can lose their inspection license, which means they lose a source of revenue. As long as states feel it is important to enforce these stupid rules, it's too much of a hassle to try and get by with it. Passing the inspection process is one step, but then you have to spend the entire year following it hoping you don't get spotted and cited by a LEO having a bad day.
 
If you are looking for protection from the UV & IR rays, and good heat rejection I would suggest spending a little more cash and getting something like 3M's Crystaline window film. The 70% film blocks more heat than most limo tints, it is very very light, we put it on windshields weekly and i dont think anyone has ever been popped for it, we have 5 employees here with it and no one even notices the film is there from the outside. It comes in 5 shades at this point 90, 70, 60, 50, and 40. It is pricey but it is a great film.
 
T4R_Finally said:
Finding the sketchy shop and rolling down the windows trick may only get you so far. I've been down those roads already here in my state. The sketchy shops are getting harder to find because of the crackdowns and rolling down the windows is only going to fly if you find a sketchy shop to start with. Year before last, I did the roll down the windows trick and the shop passed my inspection without checking the "tint" box on the form. But, when they checked me out, they made the comment "your windows were rolled down, so we "forgot" check them for tint this time. But, next time we will have to check them (wink, wink)". In other words, we let you skate this time but it was the last time.

Here in NC, an inspection station has nothing to gain and everything to lose by letting you get by with things, especially things the state has told them to put emphasis on - like window tint. They get the same money whether you pass or not, though most will not charge you if you fail - even though they can. But if/when they get caught helping you cheat, they pay fines and can lose their inspection license, which means they lose a source of revenue. As long as states feel it is important to enforce these stupid rules, it's too much of a hassle to try and get by with it. Passing the inspection process is one step, but then you have to spend the entire year following it hoping you don't get spotted and cited by a LEO having a bad day.
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cash and beer can get you a LONG way at inspection stations in Louisiana, just got to find the right ones I guess. or maybe it's just my home town. I'm just a broke college kid, I don't know much about anything.
 
I used to have a Mazda pickup in MN and I got pulled over by a city cop specifically because of the tint. He had a device with him to test the tint %. I was given a "fix it ticket" because the fronts were at about 35% and the limit was 50%.

Basically, I had to peel the tint off and go back to the cop station where they re-tested my windows to prove that they were legal; the ticket was nullified, but I was out about $100 worth of tint and one bottle of Goo-Gone to remove the amazingly resilient tint glue.


As long as there is a law dictating an acceptable tint level, you can get pulled over for it. Getting through inspection is one thing, but you'll still have those 'eager officers' ready to cite you for illegal tint.
 
this is all certainly true. And OP, the ticket is like $110 in Lake Charles atleast, plus court costs. (based on a ticket received ~2 years ago)
 
Seeing as the OP lives in nola, I'd say the fuzz isn't that great of a concern. Just as long as you don't get too crazy with the tint and obey traffic laws, they don't really have much reason to mess with you. Just like in baton rouge, nola cops generally have bigger fish to fry if you know what i'm saying. I'd say the sticker is the greater concern here
 
I agree! I think they should be doing better things like catching murderers instead of pulling over teenagers for illegal tint. It's funny how people make such a big deal out of the 11 pm curfew thing in LA. I've driven around at 3 am, passed several cops and no ticket. However, I recently got my full license which lifts the 11 pm curfew restriction, but yeah, the police usually pull you over for an obvious traffic violation, then realize that you're not supposed to be out past 11, then slap that on the ticket as well. About the tint, I think I'll just go to 40% and keep it at that...
 
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