A Primer on Missouri Window Tint Laws
Window tinting laws govern the application and darkness of film on vehicle windows, including the windshield, side windows, and rear windows. For Missouri, these regulations are of significant importance for vehicle operators, manufacturers, and law enforcement, as they ensure compliance with the law while enhancing overall road safety. Each state sets its own rules and guidelines regarding window tinting, which are enforced by two main facets: the amount of light that must be allowed through the tint (known as visible light transmittance, or VLT), and the amount of reflectivity from the film (known as reflectivity).
These laws help keep drivers safe by allowing maximum light to pass through, ensuring that drivers can see through their windows without driving with a high level of obstruction or distortion . In addition, these window tinting laws help to protect vehicle occupants from harmful UV rays and excessive heat, thereby extending the life of the vehicle interior itself. By creating a standard for the amount of light that can be transmitted through the window tint, states like Missouri promote safety and comfort for all roadway users.
In many cases, certain types of vehicles may be exempt from the general window tinting laws, such as ambulances or stretch limousines, which may allow these vehicles to have lower levels of VLT or higher reflectivity levels under special conditions. Special license plates may also be issued to those who have determined medical needs for lower VLT or higher reflectivity. It is important to note that while some tints are permitted, others may be prohibited under certain conditions, particularly for windshields, where a clear stripe at the top of 45 mm is required, and burgundy is the only color allowed.
Legal Percentages for Window Tint on Missouri Vehicles
With all of the fresh new window tint smiles on the roadways, it’s crucial to understand Missouri tint laws so you don’t get stopped and given a ticket. For CTV compared to a factory window, window tint transmittance percentages in Missouri are a minimum of 35 percent VLT for passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks’ side windows as well as for the windshield above the AS-1 line or the top five inches, and a minimum of 35 percent VLT for all other previously untinted windows, meaning that rear windows can be tinted at this percentage or darker. The minimum rear window tint is 5 percent, and the minimum window tint on the rear windows of SUVs and vans is 5 percent. All cutoff lines must be visible on the outside of the film. Vehicles with a full windshield tint must have a non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line or the top five inches. All window tint in Missouri must be scratched & shatter proof film. Dyed film does not meet the scratch resistance requirement and cannot be installed in Missouri. Reflectors are not allowed on the front windows of any vehicle. Tint must never be applied to windshields in Missouri because the product does not adhere properly and will not stand up to heat and sunlight. Mirrored tint, dark tint on the driver’s and passenger’s side windows or other visible reflectors are illegal. The law was designed to allow window tint that can enhance the appearance and performance of windows while also allowing law enforcement officials to conduct their duties without obstruction. "CTVs offer additional protection for the glass from chips and shatter factors, heat, fading of the upholstery, not to mention the anti-bacterial factors as well as UV factors," said Greg Hill of the St. Louis-based Armor Solutions Inc., which specializes in tinting. In Missouri, the tint law restricts the level of darkness for vehicles’ window tinting but does allow for a level of reflectivity. In some states, window tint manufacturers such as 3M and Vista offer tinting products with a higher rate of reflectivity on the sides and back of the vehicle, however, Missouri law doesn’t allow for front windshield tint.
Exemptions and Special Circumstances
Just as there are a number of fundamental regulations governing window tinting in Missouri, there are also certain exceptions to those rules. Situated in a relatively hot climate, Missouri is among the 13 states in the U.S. where any window tinting is technically illegal. Only certain states, including California, Vermont and New Hampshire, actually specify permissible tint levels for all vehicle windows among their general regulations. Many of these states, like Missouri, override the laws in states where they have emphasized tinting levels for passenger vehicles and other types of vehicles. First and foremost, the Missouri Department of Revenue recognizes that the dark tint sometimes required by medical conditions and other factors makes it nearly impossible to drive legally in the state. As such, some individuals may be eligible for a waiver to have darker tint percentages than permitted by law. In order to obtain a hard copy of the Window Tint Exemption Application Packet, however, an applicant must be able to show that he or she is registered with the state and that the tinted windows help to alleviate the discomfort of a covered medical condition. In those cases, tint levels for the windows can be dictated by a physician’s written recommendation clarifying the need for the exemption. As with some other states, trim levels, color variations and manufacturer specifications can all impact whether or not a tint on a vehicle is permissible in Missouri. To that end, Missouri law dictates not only the tint percentage for each window in a given vehicle but also that each window be a transparent tint, allowing those within to easily see out without being hampered by darkness.
Penalties for Tint Non-Compliance
Missouri tint laws are no joke. The penalties for violating them can be quite severe. Start with the fine. If you are pulled over and caught with window tint that is too dark or reflective, the penalty will start with a minimum fine of $50 for the first offense. From that point, it gets more expensive. The second offense will cost you $100, the third $200 and the fourth and higher $500. That’s a lot of money for a violation that is relatively minor in the big picture. On top of having to pay a fine, Missouri tint laws also require the driver to do something about the problem or face further consequences. All that will be required of you is removing or lightening the tint to pass inspection. That sounds easy enough, right? Not so much. The downside is that you will have to appear before your local department of motor vehicles on at least two occasions. One of those visits will be to install the tint that you hope will be compliant. The second will be needed because the DMV will require you to present proof that your tint removal or lightening was successful and the car now meets inspection standards. Then they will retest your vehicle to ensure that you have met the standard. If it fails, they will require you to continue trying. If it happens that your tint is not compliant in the end and you cannot pass inspection, you and your vehicle will be subject to certain suits outlined by the law. Should a local law enforcement officer require the tint to be removed or lightened and you fail to comply, you could be subject to additional fines of up to $500 in subsequent appearances to prove that your vehicle has passed inspection. If it has not, you could be subjected to a felony or misdemeanor charge for driving a motor vehicle that does not meet inspection standards. You may also be required to pay court costs and restitution to anyone who has suffered a loss due to your failure to comply with Missouri’s tint laws. Quite a hefty price tag, don’t you think? Failing to comply with tint laws and get your tint fixed won’t just affect your finances, it can also affect your automobile insurance policy. Should an insurance company discover that you have failed to comply with Missouri tint laws and have been cited by law enforcement for it, they may refuse to pay any valid claims that might arise from an accident. Additionally, your insurance rates may skyrocket as a result of your offenses. It is even possible that the insurance company may cancel your policy altogether. With the potential for a fine of up to $500 each time you are pulled over for too-dark or too-reflective tint, two trips to show proof of compliance and one to fail in, and another to be fined if you are not successful in your compliance, that comes to a grand total of $3,000 per tint violation. That amount is more than the national average for all auto insurance policies combined for an entire year. If you are pulled over for too-dark tint more than once, it could mean spending more than a new car would cost you in penalties just not to comply with Missouri window tint laws.
How to Measure to Ensure Legal Window Tint Levels
The methods to measure tint levels for compliance with the law vary from this state to that state. In some states, the tint of your car can be measured based on the reflectivity of the tint material, while other states only care about the percentage of light that is either seen or blocked. The tool that is most commonly used to measure tint levels is fairly easy to use and a good DIY-type tool for consumers and tint shops alike.
If tint is measured based on the percentage of light transmitted or allowed to pass through the tint material, then the most common tool for this is a simple light meter. The light meter should come with a clear window so that it is obvious that the light meter is reading what passes through the material rather than reflecting off of the surface.
For the same reason, the best place to measure the tint level is the outermost surface of the tint. However , it is sometimes difficult to get that close to where the windshield meets the roof of the car or to obtain readings from edges of the window where the tint has been over- or under-applied. In those locations, it is reasonable to test that area of the tint at 30 or more inches from the edge of the tint.
Most tint shops will have several methods of testing to ensure their tint materials are in compliance. Some methods include:
Manufacturers and retailers want to maintain good relationships with tint shops. The best way to do that is to provide product that meets legal compliance. To that end, tint material manufacturers will sometimes "tweak" their product either by slightly modifying their tinting film or by substituting one shade of tint with another to allow for compliance in certain areas. Likewise, tint retailers will sometimes purchase in bulk so that they have a sufficient supply of compliant product on hand to provide uncompromising service for their customers.
Picking the Installer for Legal Window Tint
When you don’t choose the right opener to do the job there are many problems that can arise, and it’s no different when it comes to legal tint. If you have tinted windows that are not legal, you could actually end up with a ticket because there is too much darkness or reflectiveness." The police officer who pulls you over might not notice it, or he or she might not know the legal limits for window tint in your state. It’s better to be safe than sorry and simply choose an experienced installer.
There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing a provider. If you don’t have any experience with window tinting, the first thing that you should look at is the credentials that the tint company has and their history of window tint experience. You can usually find this information on their website, or you can just ask them over the phone so that you know your window tint will be in good hands.
One of the questions to ask prospective tint installers is how long they have been in business. Ideally you want to choose somebody who has been in business for a minimum of five years. You should also ask for references from other customers who have received window tint jobs from the company. Sometimes testimonials giving by clients will be displayed on the installation company’s website or their Facebook page, so if you don’t have to even ask for those. The customers will have hopefully made it known themselves whether or not they were happy with the work done.
Different types of window tint can be installed, including dyed window films, metalized films, carbon window films and ceramic window films. It’s important to remember that not everyone who installs window tint has experience working with dyed window films or dyed tint.
Experience and good quality equipment are a must, because if the tint is applied using old or low-quality film, it can cause bubbles and blistering and might not stick. This will result in tourists being able to get through your tint, which will definitely get you pulled over by law enforcement. It’s also important to have good quality equipment used when the tint is applied, because if the windows are wiped down with a cleaner that is not of good quality, it can result in streaks and can cause the window tinting to eventually turn purple.
Missouri Tint Laws FAQs
As with anything law-related, we’re often asked a lot of questions. We thought we’d compile our most frequently asked questions regarding Missouri Window Tint Laws for you all in one place…if you’ve got any others not mentioned here, please send us a message.
Can I have my windows tinted now, and then get them re-tinted with a different shade later? At this time, there is no law against having darker tint installed on your windows AFTER your initial inspection. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how dark a shade you have on your windows; if you don’t have the inspection certificate to prove that it is within the legal limits, you can (and most likely will) be pulled over and/or ticketed despite having passed the inspection originally. The only cars that are exempt from the requirements described in this article are cars that were tinted before the current Missouri window tint law was passed in 2007 – other than that, it’s a waiting game and a constant inspection card replacement case.
So the tint on my sides is legal, but the tint on my rear window isn’t? Unfortunately, the law on this subject is ridiculously unclear. While the tint on your car is certainly legal going by visible light transmission, it may still be illegal based on area regulations. In short, the tint on your sides is still legal in the sense that you had it inspected and met the guidelines for tint on your side windows , but illegal based on the fact that you have tint on your rear window that exceeds legal limits and must be replaced. If you’re ever not sure if your car is legal or needs replacement, it’s best to go through the inspection process again. The testing procedures and equipment are completely free of charge, so this is the best way to be absolutely sure of your current tint percentage.
I’m moving to Missouri tomorrow, do I need to get my tint inspected before I drive to the state? Yes! New residents or newly registered vehicles must absolutely have an inspection done on their vehicle’s tint % prior to entering the state solely because if the police pull you over and don’t see an inspection certificate on your windows, you will be ticketed and might even be forced to replace your tint.
Who can I ask about these laws? Each state has its own DMV, and each DMV has its own number that you can call for specific information pertaining to those laws. That being said, make sure that when you call, you’re talking to someone who is knowledgeable in the tint laws ALONE and not anything else like tint waivers, tint exemptions, tint regulations; those are all totally different sections of the law with different language and thus it’s best to make sure the person on the other end of the line isn’t intimately familiar with those when you ask them general questions about window tint.
