Pennsylvania Tint Laws

[mr crowley]

I would post this under the Pennsylvania section but I know more officers view this section than specific state forums. I plan on adding tint to my truck but I'm confused as to the law in PA. On one hand I see under the PA Motor Vehicle Code this:

Ch. 45 75 Section 4524 (e)(1)

(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle.

And then the administrative code says there must be 70% light transmittence.

So my questions becomes:

Since you're able to see inside the car with a tint level of 50%, even lower, then which law applies here? The last thing I need is a ticket so I'm not doing anything until I have a thorough understanding of acceptable tint levels.

And I know here's some case law regarding it but i admit I'm not familiar with it and I don't really understand what case law really is or means.

Thanks for any help.

[mr crowley]

If you are looking for a more thorough understanding from me, then I will apologize. I will instead further muddy the waters for you and tell you that window tinting is also governed by and enforced under the PA Motor Vehicle Inspection Code and which can be referenced while citing under PA Motor Vehicle Code Section 4702- Unlawful Activities.

But, the Inspection Code does have different regulations in regard to window tinting on passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks.

Basically, if the tint is uber dark then I use it as RS to make a stop and go fishing.

Enjoy. Good Luck at The Hill

Thanks Tick I'm excited to start. Can you cite for tint or just stop for it? Or is that one in the same?

[DAMAGE INC]

Thanks Tick I'm excited to start. Can you cite for tint or just stop for it? Or is that one in the same?

I would suggest driving your vehicle to the PA State Police Academy with the darkest window tint you can find. The instructors will be happy to explain that particular section of the vehicle code to you on your first day. (I hope you can sense sarcasm) If you have window tint on your car, get it taken off. Make sure your vehicle and its paperwork are squared away before you arrive.

[mr crowley]

I would suggest driving your vehicle to the PA State Police Academy with the darkest window tint you can find. The instructors will be happy to explain that particular section of the vehicle code to you on your first day. (I hope you can sense sarcasm) If you have window tint on your car, get it taken off. Make sure your vehicle and its paperwork are squared away before you arrive.

I'm a professional sarcasm-er. But this is exactly why I am trying to figure out what is legal in PA because the last thing I want to do is get special attention at the academy. The tinting law in PA is just so damn confusing. I have a truck that has factory tint on the rear windows and I was hoping to match that. But, like everything else with PA, they are still in the Stone Age with this one. Why can't they just construct a law that days "hey, 50% is all you get?" Instead it says "a person should be able to see inside the vehicle". Well you can see inside at 35% during the day but not at night. Hell you can't hardly see inside untinted windows at night. It's a grey area. But for the time being I will leave it as is. Maybe I'll revisit the idea when we get to that part of the curriculum

[PhilipCal]

Here's a simple answer from Alabama. Remove the tinting. As you noted, you want, and believe me you don't want, ANY special attention at the Academy.

[PSUMedic]

I only wrote a tint ticket once... and the good citizen had 15% on his windshield - not just the sun visor level, the WHOLE windshield. He even admitted it was really hard to see at night.

[OfficerBarbrady]

I've always gone with the visibility factor. If I can't see inside, it's an officer safety issue.

[stormz5192]

I can't stand tinted windshields. My personal Durangos and work suburban are all tinted (27-35%) but you can still see in during the day. When working at night, I have to lower my windows to see when trolling the neighborhoods. No damn way you can see well out of a windshield that's close to limo tint.

[firefighter-emt]

If you are looking for a simple answer, and to "keep from getting any special attention at the academy", anything over factory tint will probably get you that attention, meaning anything over what you had on the truck when you bought it.

[e-man]

We use the 'too dark to see' section if we dont have a tint meter. If someone has a certified and calibrated meter, than we can use the % section.
I use the too dark to see, most PDs dont have meters.
Just like when Pittsburgh PD added a noise ordinance for loud boomy stereos. There was a section for decibels, but that was more for the bar based noise, then there was the '75' away, its too loud' one for the G-Rides.
Oh, and as far as you getting into the STATE PD academy, if you have to ask, then its too dark.

[steelcityk9cop]

You can get cited for either section. If you are truly going to the state police academy, take off any trace of aftermarket tint... you don't want to risk your potential career over it.

[mr crowley]

That's exactly why I came here for clarification. T minus 13 days until I report. And I will be reporting tintless. Thank you guys.

[e-man]

You can get cited for either section. If you are truly going to the state police academy, take off any trace of aftermarket tint... you don't want to risk your potential career over it.

If I were you, I would listen to this man, very very carefully. He knows what he talking about

[steelcityk9cop]

That's exactly why I came here for clarification. T minus 13 days until I report. And I will be reporting tintless. Thank you guys.

Good man... and listen to and do everything they tell you.. especially the stuff about notifying them if you get pulled over or ticketed while in the academy. You will thank me later!

[mr crowley]

Good man... and listen to and do everything they tell you.. especially the stuff about notifying them if you get pulled over or ticketed while in the academy. You will thank me later!

Sounds good. I really appreciate the advice.