John W. Redmann | February 14, 2025 | Car Accidents
Sunshine can make a drive in Louisiana pleasant, but too much sun can create an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation. On blazing-hot summer days, your car’s internal temperature can quickly soar. Also, glare from the sun coming through your car’s windows can temporarily blind you, increasing the risk of a car accident.
To combat these potential headaches, you might be tempted to put a film or tint on your car’s windows. If you live or work in Louisiana or even plan to drive through the state, you may wish to check the state’s window tint laws first. Putting too dark of tint on your windows can lead to a traffic citation and a fine.
What Is Window Tint?
Window tint is an aftermarket film that can be applied to your car’s windows. The tint is described as a percentage of visible light transmitted (VLT). A lower VLT percentage translates to a darker tint. In other words, if the VLT is high, more light shines through your car’s windows, and if the VLT is low, less light gets through.
Louisiana Window Tint Laws
Because tint affects visibility, there are rules governing how much tint you can have on your vehicle. Any car traveling along a road in Louisiana must comply with the state’s window tint laws. Even out-of-state drivers with a car window tint that meets their jurisdiction’s legal requirements can get ticketed in Louisiana if the tint falls outside Louisiana’s standards.
Louisiana’s window tint requirements are based on the window’s location.
Front Windshield
You can place a non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s A-1 line or on the top five inches of your front windshield.
Front Driver’s And Passenger’s Windows
Louisiana law allows tints no darker than 40% VLT on the front side of your windows. This means that any tint you apply to your front driver’s side and passenger’s side windows must allow 40% or more of visible light to pass through.
Rear Side Windows
Any other side windows behind the frontmost set of side windows are limited to a maximum VLT of 25%.
Back Windshield
Your back windshield may have window tint with a VLT of 12% or higher. Tint with a VLT of 11% or lower is too dark and not lawfully permitted.
Why Tint Laws Exist
Although window tint has benefits, excessively dark tint poses a safety hazard to you and others. Law enforcement officers may be unable to see into your car during a traffic stop, creating a risk for both of you. Tint that is too dark can also make it difficult for you to see bicyclists, pedestrians, and others while driving, increasing the likelihood of a severe crash.
Other Restrictions And Exceptions
Tint can reflect a certain amount of light away from your vehicle. The amount of light reflected is also expressed as a percentage called the Light Reflectance Value (LRV). The higher the LRV percentage, the more light that is reflected away from the car. No tint in Louisiana is permitted to have an LRV greater than 20%, as this could lead to a serious or fatal accident.
Additionally, no tint on any window can be amber or red in color. Individuals who have a recognized medical condition that requires a tint darker than what is permitted under the law can complete an affidavit and receive an exemption from the tint law.
Complying With Louisiana’s Window Tint Laws
The law makes it your responsibility to ensure any aftermarket window tint you put on your vehicle satisfies Louisiana’s laws. Otherwise, you could receive a ticket and pay a fine for having illegal tint. You could face penalties for driving a car with a tint that’s too dark even if the level of tint would be legal in the state where you registered your car or truck.
Your local Louisiana law enforcement agency or the Louisiana State Police can measure the tint on your vehicle. They’ll also be able to advise you whether it is legal.
Contact the Metairie Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC for Help Today
If you were injured in an accident in Metairie or Gretna, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our car accident attorneys at The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC, to schedule a free case review today.
We serve Jefferson Parish County and Louisiana’s surrounding Areas
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC – Metairie, LA Office
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Metairie, LA, 70002
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