How Dark is Too Dark?

Q: How dark can window tint be on a car?

A: Maybe it’s about the heat. Maybe it’s about the style. Maybe it’s about the privacy. Whatever the reason, many people choose to tint the windows on their cars. Proponents of window tint point to several benefits; big surprise, I’ll start with safety. Window tint is a thin plastic film that goes on the inside of the glass. In a crash, this film can hold together broken glass that would otherwise fly through the car. By design, auto glass breaks into small chunks that are less likely to cause injury compared to jagged shards of glass from, say, a residential picture window, so while the tint film may help, it’s not as significant a safety feature as it first seems to be.

Window tint nearly eliminates UV rays, protecting a vehicle’s interior and the occupant’s skin. Untinted windows also reduce some UV rays, but folks at the Skin Cancer Foundation don’t think it’s enough. They advocate window film as one solution to protecting yourself from sun while driving. Note that you don’t need darkened tint to block UV rays; it’s not the color of the film but the material it’s made of that blocks UV rays.

Tinted windows keep a car interior cooler in hot weather, they reduce glare and they add a little privacy. Some people also feel that tinted windows increase vehicle security; a potential thief is less likely to notice something of value in the car. Personally, I wouldn’t rely on tint as a security measure. Have you seen the data on vehicle prowls? Instead, don’t leave valuables in a car. I know that’s not specifically a traffic safety topic, so consider it a little bonus tip. And finally, for many drivers, window tint is about style. On some cars dark windows just look good.

But at some point dark windows can be too dark. If fact, Washington law specifies exactly how dark a window can be tinted. The answer (in most cases): 24%. But what does that number mean? We can’t talk about window tint and the law without discussing “light transmission”. This is the ratio of the amount of light, expressed in percentages, that is allowed to pass through the glass. A window that has 24% light transmission blocks 76% of the light that shines on the window. The lower the number, the darker the window.

I borrowed a tint meter and checked a few vehicles. My car, which does not have any added tint, actually has a light transmission measurement of 78%. Turns out that all automotive glass reduces light transmission a bit. I checked a few more windows on cars belonging to family and friends and found tint as low as 3%. That’s not a typo. 97% of the light hitting the window wasn’t making it through.

As you might imagine, there are some safety issues with dark tint. On sunny days, dark tint may not hinder the driver’s visibility much, but in Washington we mostly don’t have sunny days. Clouds, rain, and darkness combined with dark window tint make for a hazardous lack of visibility. The owner of that car with 3% tint is planning on removing the tint, just for that reason.

It’s not just driver visibility though. Dark tint also prevents the driver from being seen by other drivers. Especially at intersections, the ability to make eye contact helps clarify intent. You’re probably familiar with the “You go, no, you go” routine that sometimes happens at intersections. I’ve been told by local collision investigators that dark window tint has been a factor in turning some of those exchanges from an annoying driving moment into a crash.

Finally, let’s clear up a few misconceptions about the tint law in Washington. I mentioned earlier that in most cases the lower limit for window tint is 24%. There are a few exceptions, but they’re mostly limited to vehicles for hire, emergency vehicles, trucks, RVs and multipurpose passenger vehicles (vehicles built on truck frames or modified for off-road use). On these vehicles, windows behind the driver can be darker than 24%. In no situation can the front windows be below 24%. And, except for the top six inches, no tint can be applied to the windshield. That means that, despite what a well-meaning friend or internet tells you, the rear windows in a typical passenger vehicle can’t be any darker than 24%.

Also, using a professional shop doesn’t guarantee that your window tint meets the requirements of the law. I like to believe that most local business people do their best to adhere to the law, but officers in our community have contacted drivers with tint darker than the law allows, installed by professionals. If you’re considering getting your car tinted, arm yourself with the knowledge of the law so you don’t end up with a $136 ticket for extra-dark window tint.

I’m stating the obvious, but visibility is a key component in safe driving. If you tint your windows, make sure that it doesn’t affect the primary purpose of driving; safely arriving at your destination.

14 Replies to “How Dark is Too Dark?”

  1. This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that other drivers being able to see you is important. I hadn’t considered that being able to make eye contact to indicate intent could be so beneficial at intersections. I’m going to be getting my windows tinted, so I’ll definitely make sure I choose one that’s not too dark so other people can see me. Thanks for the great post!

    1. Thanks for the great post.
      Excessive window tinting can also prevent identifying a driver or their actions inside their vehicle more easily (and later to investigating police possibly taking witness statements) in the following cases: hit and run driving; negligent driving; unsafe or illegal driving behavior; erratic or possible DUI driving behavior; distracted driving due to illegal cell phone use or other distracted driving behavior (such as, application of cosmetics, eating, reading, etc), road rage or other intimidating or threatening behavior. Also, excessive tinting makes it difficult for bicyclists passing parked motor vehicles to observe whether or not a parked motor vehicle is occupied in order to anticipate an opening car door to judge safe passing distance. Personally, my rule is to NEVER pedal past ANY parked motor vehicle within the “car door zone”. Much to the irritation of impatient motorists and/or motorists with a lack of understanding of why I am cycling out in the traffic lane, wanting to get past me.

  2. Thank you for sharing, this post is a great reminder that its not worth tinting your windows too dark. My friend use to tint all of his cars as dark as limos, but recently almost got in bad wreck, so he’s been working on replacing his tint.

  3. I want to have my windows tinted on my car. I didn’t even think about how it could be dangerous if they are tinted too much! I’ll make sure that I express my worries to the people who end up doing it for me.

  4. Wow nice read, very informative. I really liked the part where you discuss “red light awkwardness” that’s what I call it. I never thought of window tint being a plausible cause for an accident.

  5. Wow, I had no idea that some cars can have tinting that blocks up to 97% of light; that’s incredible. I agree that 3% tint is a bit much in terms of protection. 24% sounds good to me, especially since I also live in a fairly cold and cloudy area. The last thing I want is for my vision to get impaired. Even if I could see in 3% tint, I have a feeling that if I wore sunglasses, I could be a serious safety hazard!

  6. very very good post. some people come to us all the time wanting to completely block out their windows and I have to explain why it’s not a good thing haha

  7. Same. We get calls all the time from people looking for a complete blackout. We will do it if they are absolutely adamant, but we do inform them of the safety issues and try to steer them toward a tint that is a little lighter.

  8. I had no idea that when it comes to window tinting it is usually ok to have up to 24% tinting. It is important to remember that doing a little homework in your area can help you know what is acceptable and how you can get the most our of it. As I see it, It pays off to do a little homework and find some online reviews when looking for the best tinting around you.

  9. Thank you for talking about the importance of choosing a window tint that will not make driving hard. It makes sense that educating yourself on how tinting works can help you understand the best grade tint for your car and avoid accidents. Personally, I would want to do a research on local laws regarding the amount of darkness my windows can have so I don’t get into trouble.

  10. Another thing to consider is that the darker the tint and the harder it is to see the driver, there is more of a feeling of anonymity that may contribute toward more reckless behavior.

  11. A comprehensive overview of the benefits and potential drawbacks of window tinting, especially in relation to safety and visibility. It’s interesting to note the balance between style, UV protection, and the legal limitations on tint darkness. How do you think advancements in tint technology might influence future regulations on window tinting?

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