Georgia is a hot, humid state that gets plenty of sunlight year-round. So, it’s no surprise that many Georgian car-owners prefer darkening their vehicle’s windows to help keep the sun’s rays at bay.
Georgia’s law contains a set of window tint darkness laws that all locals must abide by. Doing so will ensure driver safety and community security. Failure to comply with these regulations counts as a criminal offense and may cost you a hefty fine!
On that note, if your car already contains pre-installed tints, be sure to have them checked by a local window tinting expert. This is particularly important if you’ve recently purchased a vehicle from another state or go on regular out-of-state road trips.
All US states have unique tint laws, which is why it’s essential to go over each state’s rulings independently. So, if you regularly cross local borders in your car, consider checking out our articles on California tint laws, Maryland tint laws, and others!
As for this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Georgia window tint laws and related details. So, let’s go!
Contents
Understanding Tint Law Lingo
Before we explore Georgia tint laws, let’s take a minute to understand essential tint law vocabulary. Here are some keywords to familiarize yourself with:
- VLT Percentage (%): VLT stands for visible light transmission. It concerns the amount of light allowed in by a tinted window. Darker tints have a lower capacity for visible light transmission, so they have a lower VLT percentage. Therefore, the lower the VLT value, the darker the tint.
- Front-Side and Rear-Side Window Tint Level: ‘Front-side window tint level’ refers to the VLT percentage of the two windows at the vehicle’s front end. ‘Rear-side window tint level’ concerns the VLT percentage for the two back windows.
- Rear Window Tint Level: Not to be confused with ‘rear-side,’ this refers to the VLT percentage of your car’s single back window.
- AS-1 Line: Most cars have a pre-marked AS-1 line, which rests up to 6 inches below your windshield’s top edge. If you don’t maintain it, you can always measure it yourself. This is the reference line for windshield tints in most US states.
How Dark Can You Tint Windshield and Windows in Georgia?
Are you wondering, can you tint windshields? Below is a helpful overview of Georgia window tint law for sedans, SUVs, and vans:
Georgia Tint Laws for Passenger Vehicles
Here are the basics on tint darkness limits (for sedans) in the state of Georgia:
- Minimum VLT for front windows: 32% (plus or minus 3%)
- Minimum VLT for backside windows: 32% (plus or minus 3%)
- VLT limit for rear window: 32% (plus or minus 3%)
- Windshield tint: Must fall above the first 6 inches from the windshield’s top edge (or above the AS-1 line). This tint must be transparent and not red or amber.
Georgia Tint Laws for Multipurpose Vehicles
SUVs and vans have their section in Georgia’s tint law handbook. Here’s an overview of what you need to know:
- Minimum VLT for front side windows: 32% (plus or minus 3%)
- Minimum VLT for backside windows: Any %
- VLT limit for rear window: Any %
- Windshield tint: Must lay above the first 6 inches from the windshield’s top edge. This tint must be transparent and not red or amber.
Tint Reflection Limits for Georgia Vehicles
Georgia state law permits up to 20% reflectivity on window and windshield tints.
Excessively reflective surfaces can encourage solar glare, so try staying within these limits for your safety!
What the Georgia Tint Law Prohibits
In addition to its strict reflectivity and tint darkness limits, there are a few other things that Georgia’s tint laws prohibit:
Vehicles are not allowed to maintain a red or amber tint. This is because emergency vehicles often employ reddish tints (and your car can be mistaken as one). Plus, such tints do a poor job of keeping the light out, which defeats the purpose of maintaining tinted windows in the first place.
You must issue and display a legal tint verification sticker on your front windshield. Failure to do so can get you in trouble with the police.
Types of Windshield Tints
Solar glare occurs when the sun’s harsh, unfiltered rays pass through the glass to create a bright, flame-like light. Though it typically fades out within seconds, it can persist if you’re driving under a mainly sunny sky. Recurring solar glare can obstruct your view of the road and increase the chances of getting into a car accident. Many people prefer tinting their windshields to steer clear of solar glare!
If you sample the market, you’re bound to encounter many intriguing tint options. But how do you know which ones are truly worth investing in?
If you’re unsure about which tint to choose, we’d recommend looking into ceramic tint and smart window tint. Both options perform exceptionally well against solar glare, making them excellent options that are worth the money!
Medical Exemptions
Locals with photosensitive medical conditions can contact the DMV to exempt them from the aforementioned tint laws.
Your doctor must sign a legal application to confirm your illness. This application costs $10. Once approved, you’ll receive a medical waiver from the DMV, allowing you to darken your windows further.
Please note: Only those patients who cannot combat photosensitivity by donning appropriate eyewear may apply for the medical waiver.
Penalties for Non-Compliance of Georgia Tint Laws
Violating Georgia’s tint laws can cost you up to $1000 in fines. You could also face up to 12 months in jail time.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a $1000 ticket the first time you’re pulled over. Instead, expect to receive a token ticket of between $25 and $100, depending on how dark your tint is.
Repeated offenders can expect a heftier fine. This amount may eventually skyrocket to $1000. In addition, failure to fix your tint darkness despite multiple tickets may ultimately land you in jail.
Benefits of Car Tint in Georgia
Here are some helpful benefits associated with tinting your car:
Windshield tints can diminish the effect of solar glare, making it safer to drive during extra-sunny days.
Tinted vehicles have cooler interiors because the darkened windows help keep the warm sunlight at bay. So, if you’d like to save up on AC costs, do consider tinting your windows for the long run!
Darkened windows afford more privacy than transparent ones, especially when driving through areas with plenty of rush!
Final Thoughts
Window tints have many excellent benefits, including the ones discussed above. However, these benefits can quickly turn into a hefty fine if you’re not careful with your car’s tint darkness!
Installing an illegal tint, regardless of darkness, can land you in trouble, too. So, be sure only to install verified tints complete with an official manufacturer’s certificate. Don’t forget to paste the verification sticker on your windshield, too!