Basic Louisiana Tint Law Information
The Louisiana tint law is pretty simple, and primarily focuses on the front windshield and front driver and passenger windows. As is the case in many states, there are two reasons behind the tint law. One is safety, and the other is to allow law enforcement officials to easily identify the driver through the front windows.
State legislatures and law enforcement have put the tinting laws into place for two main reasons: The second reason is especially important, as even minor violations can be used as a traffic stop by police officers. It is important to be in compliance to avoid unnecessary headaches . Additionally, should you ever be involved in an accident and have tint on your windows that is below the legal limit, it may end up being a reckless driving ticket.
Any exemptions or waivers regarding the tint levels on your vehicle must be confirmed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Generally only exemptions are allowed for medical reasons, and all other tint must be removed. However, in some cases oil changes, tagging new tires, and housing variations may be allowed too. Generally speaking, those who purchase tint through their automobile dealer may have some exemptions. Otherwise individuals who live close to the state border may have to research their local laws.
Legal Tint Darkness for Various Vehicles
Just like a canvas needing a specific shade for a painting, Louisiana law is no different. In this state, we have regulations that govern the amount of sunlight that can penetrate your tinted windows. Different vehicles, however, have different requirements and expectations.
"Sedans," or cars with four doors, become our starting point. These modes of transport have the same rules for the front side windows, as well as the windshield and the rear window: namely, 40% and 25%, respectively. However, the back side windows also have a 25% specification, mathematically speaking. But, these "back side windows" are not typically the "back side windows" of the car. In fact, the term really means the side windows behind the driver and passenger. Now, the second window to the right of the driver is usually the "back-side window," rather than the window at the back of the car. For our purposes (and the police), the back-side window is any window behind the driver’s seat.
Next, we have SUVs and trucks. These two types of vehicles are grouped in the same category, and they essentially have the same requirements. The limit is the same for three windows: the front side window, the windshield, and the rear window. For all three, it is 40% for the front side – which applies to any windows forward of the rear passenger windows – and 25% for both the windshield and the rear window. The difference lies in the 25% limit for the back-side windows, which can vary depending on the number of windows in the vehicle. You see, the back-side windows are determined by the number of doors in the SUV or truck. If the vehicle has three or four doors, only one window meets the definition – the last window before the hatch, regardless of whether it opens. But, if the vehicle has five or more doors, to meet the definition, at least two windows must open to the inside of the vehicle.
Finally, we have the catchall: vans and church buses. According to Louisiana law, these two types of vehicles are classified together, meaning the law views them as one and the same. While they may be classified differently elsewhere, Louisiana has its own way of doing things. Vans and church buses used to be left to the discretion of the officer. Officers filled out the tint ticket the same way they would for an SUV or a truck: 40% for the front side window, and 25% for the windshield, the rear window, and the back-side window. The only real difference was whether the limit was based on the last window before the hatch or two windows. But, that all changed in July 2014.
As of July 1, 2014, the law was amended for these super-sized vehicles. Not only did the definition of a van expand by including higher passenger limits in the vehicle, but the regulations for tinting the windows in the vehicle also changed. Louisiana now limits the back-side windows in a van or church bus to 25%. In other words, the entirety of the vehicle—with the exception of the windshield—can be tinted to 25%.
Before heading home, I want to clarify that the roof line is not considered a window and does not count against the window limitations. That means if you want an 80% tint on your windshield, it is legal, as long as the windshield has a clear space from the top of the steering wheel to the top of the windshield. It also means if you want the roof of your car to be tinted at 80%, as long as the tint does not touch 25%, it is legal too.
What is VLT
Understanding the term "VLT" is essential in determining window film legality. VLT stands for "Visible Light Transmission". VLT is fairly self-explanatory, it is the percentage of light that is allowed to pass through any surface (the prime example being a window). The VLT number is mostly used to determine how dark a window tint is, and is essentially a measurement of the tint darkness on a window glass.
For example, with window film applied, if a window has a VLT of 5% then only 5% of the visible light is allowed to pass through and enter your vehicle or home. Conversely, if that window were naturally clear without window film then 100% of the visible light would be allowed.
In our example window above the additional percentage of light that is blocked from the window by the tint film itself is referred to as Visible Light Reflectance (VLR). The only time Visible Light Reflectance is a problem is if it is too high on a particular window tint as some states allow a certain amount of light to be reflected back out.
Louisiana requires 40% VLT or lighter for the front windows. Be aware that this is not the same tint that you see on your windshield and may look different under certain lighting conditions.
Penalties for Illegal Window Tint in Louisiana
Law enforcement officials in Louisiana are well aware of how $500 to $1,000 dark tint makes it difficult to determine the level of tint on a vehicle’s windows. That is why we have achieved numerous dismissals for Louisiana tint violations. We suspect that the driver received multiple tint tickets in one or more other parishes, and then the prosecutor in Lafourche Parish agreed to dismiss the tinted window offences after a break from the other parish. In other cases, we have dismissed over 50 tint violations among multiple parishes. Then again, we have acknowledged that some prosecutors and juries may be less understanding.
The easiest way to avoid a tint ticket is simply to comply with the law. However, if you are unwilling to comply with these regulations, you could face fines and penalties as follows:
Fines set by law by parish courts may vary substantially but appear to range from $150 to $400. For example, a person caught using illegal tint in Jefferson Parish can be fined $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for the third offense. In the fourth or subsequent violation, the fine ranges from $2,000 to $10,000. In Terrebonne Parish, a first offense can result in fines of up to $99. Subsequent offenses may lead to fines of up to $200. Orleans Parish fines are up to $500 per violation. Whether you live in Baton Rouge, St. Mary Parish, Vernon Parish, or Lincoln Parish, you could see fines and/or points assessed against your license for illegal tint.
Advantages of Following Tint Regulations
The advantages of adhering to Louisiana’s legal tint limits go well beyond the obvious legal benefits. Clearly, driving in a car that breaks the law to have your tint is dangerous, because the police can pull you over at any time. Driving double or triple the tint limit, like many drivers in Louisiana do, can lead to legal problems and potentially hefty fines. But there are other problems that can occur, like (for example) being pulled over for something routine on the road, like speeding. Even if the officer isn’t concerned about your tint, there are other vehicles on the road who might see the officer pulled over with you and (incorrectly) assume that you’re committing some type of crime, such as drug dealing or human trafficking. From that point, they will call the police, who may proceed to think the same and start a manhunt for the unidentified drug dealers. In addition, police can and have mistaken legal tint for illegal tint in the past, such as when they pulled over one man in Shreveport, Louisiana. The officer claimed that his tint was too dark , but upon further inspection after criminal charges were filed, found that his tint complied with Louisiana’s tint laws. While the charges were dropped in this particular case, it does show that it is in your best interest to be compliant, lest it turn into a more problematic situation.
Keeping your tint legally compliant will prove to be safer and could keep insurance premiums potentially lower than they would otherwise need to be. If the police stop you and ask why you have tinted your windows the way you have and you have a legitimate and legal answer that complies with Louisiana law, then your trip will (hopefully) be a lot shorter than if the officer has to do a bit of detective work to pull you over and check your tint. Not only is this more annoying, but it could end up adding points to your driving record and damaging your future prospects in terms of insurance, jobs, and loans.
Tint compliance is always best for safety and protection from police scrutiny, ticketing, and any potential criminal activity that might occur if you tint your windows darker than allowed by Louisiana law.
Picking Legal Window Tint in Louisiana
Now that you understand what the darkest legal tint in Louisiana is, here are some factors you should consider in selecting a legal tint.
Some people say that tint makes their vehicles look nice and may even increase resale value. The question is how much tint is one willing to live with and what type of tint fits your personality. Some people want to tone down bright sunlight and others more privacy (as mentioned above). If you live in an area with heavier sun exposure consider selecting a less reflective tint with a higher VLT percentage.
This is another critical factor. You don’t want to get ripped off or receive a product of inferior quality. One thing you should consider is Lifetime Warranty. Additionally, make sure you pick a window tint that is resistant to bubbling, losing color and scratching. While you are at it, check for thin film on some commercial products.
This is really of upmost importance. Poor installation can really ruin your whole experience. Look out for companies (some franchise) with poor reviews. You can check reviews online which can help you find reliable and reputable tinting service providers in your neighborhood.
Exemptions and Special Cases
While the general rule is that a separate measurement standard applies for the darkest legal tint, there may be some exceptions and special cases where this may differ from the norm. For example, vehicles manufactured prior to 1986 did not have the same glass tinting standards as do newer vehicles. Therefore, a vintage or classic vehicle may not apply strictly to the standard generally applied to more recent model year vehicles. This would extend to an exemption if tinting a classic automobile would put the owner at odds with the tinting standards of vehicles in their class . Finally, factors such as medical conditions or disabilities that require corrective measures to be undertaken in a vehicle might also be grounds for exemption. For most people, shades above the maximum allowed for either front window or rear windows and side lights are illegal in Louisiana but if there is a medical need for dark tint, an individual examination of the circumstances can result in the issuance of a permit to increase the allowance for this particular situation.