The Hawaii window tinting laws were brought into existence in the year 1989. Since then the state has been very specific about its laws as well as rules and regulations built for its people. If you are someone looking forward to purchasing a vehicle with tinted windows or if you are someone who wants to get their car windows tinted then this is the right article for you. You need to be aware of the things that are allowed and the things that are not allowed.
There are rules and regulations as to how dark or reflective tint is allowed in the state, and the last thing you want to do is tint your vehicle’s windows only to find out they don’t meet the legal requirements for the state of Hawaii. The rules and regulations as well as the laws can change at any moment, and that’s why it is important to stay aware of the current laws to make out the difference later.
Our article shares a complete overview of the Hawaii window tinting laws so you don’t make the costly mistake of getting a vehicle with an illegal tint or have an incorrect tint installed.
Check out other States Window Tint Law :-
- New Jersey Window Tint Law
- Washington DC Window Tint Law
- California Window Tint Law
- Texas Window Tint Law
What Does VLT Mean?
VLT(Visible Light Transmission) is the light percentage allowed by the window tint film to travel through your car windows. In Hawaii, there are different legal allowable terms when it comes to window tinting.
In Hawaii, the amount of light allowed to pass through your window film and glass varies for Passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles. We have decided to break it down for you for the sake of your better understanding.
The higher the VLT the more amounts of light will be allowed to pass through your window tint film. For instance, a 50% tint will allow only 50% of the light to pass through and a 5% tint will allow only 5% of light to pass through.
Legal Tint Limit: Passenger Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
- Front seat side windows: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
- Back seat side windows: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
- Rear window: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
Legal Tint Limit: Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
- Front seat side windows: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
- Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
- Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used
The light percentage allowed through your window film and glass in Hawaii is very strict and specific. The tint limits vary for Passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles.
Tint reflection
The one main reason for having window tints is so that it helps reflect light which then further in the process reduces glare as well as heat. Depending on the vehicle type as well as the type of tint the Hawaii law allows only a certain level of reflection with a tint.
Tint Reflection: Passenger Vehicles
- Front side windows: No metallic or mirrored appearance.
- Back side windows: No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Tint Reflection: Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Front side windows: No metallic or mirrored appearance.
- Back side windows: No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Other Window Tint Rules And Regulations
Besides the basic laws that you have come across already, there are some other rules and regulations that you need to pay good attention to, in order to avoid any form of negative situations. It is important to consider the laws as well as these particular rules and regulations altogether before you decide to get your car windows tinted. These rules and regulations may vary for other states.
- Do I need to have side mirrors in Hawaii? If the back window is tinted then dual side mirrors are required.
- Is colored tint illegal in Hawaii? No. All tint colors are allowed in Hawaii.
- What are the window tint certification rules in Hawaii? The tint film manufacturers do not have to certify the film they sell in Hawaii.
- Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in Hawaii? The Hawaii law does not require a sticker from the company installing the window tint.
- Are there medical exemptions for window tint in Hawaii? The window tint law in Hawaii does not allow medical exemptions that would allow you to use special tint.
- What are the penalties like in Hawaii for violating the law? Not less than $250 and more than $500 for an offense if the person is the owner of the vehicle and not less than $500 and more than $1000 for each offense if the person or business entity is the installer of tint or sunscreen devices which does meet the laws.
Some other rules and regulations to be followed
(a)No person shall install, mount, adhere, affix, or use any sun screening device or combination of devices in conjunction with the glazing material of a motor vehicle that does not meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 205 in effect at the time of the glazing material’s manufacture except as provided in this section. Any person who violates this section shall be liable for the removal of any sun screening device applied contrary to this section.
(b) A safety inspection required under section 286-25 shall include a test to ensure that the glazing material and any sun screening devices meet the requirements specified in this section.
(c) This section shall not apply to:
- 1)Sun screening devices for front side wing vents and windows which, when used in conjunction with the glazing material have a light transmittance of no less than thirty-five percent plus or minus six percent.
- 2) Sun screening devices for side windows necessary for driving visibility which is to the rear of the driver and for rear windows necessary for driving visibility which, when used in conjunction with the glazing material, have a light transmittance of no less than thirty-five percent plus or minus six percent.
- 3) Transparent sun screening film materials which are installed, affixed, or applied along the top edge of the windshield so long as such materials do not encroach upon the AS-1 portion of the windshield as provided by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 or no lower than four inches below the top of the windshield when measured from the middle point of the bottom edge of the top windshield molding if no AS-1 markings can be found in the left or right upper margin of the windshield.
It is our duty to let you know that the interpretation of tinting laws as well as rules and regulations can be done differently in your residential area. And for these reasons, we are suggesting you double-check the information we provide you with. Where should you check the information? You can check the information through your local DMV. You can also check the information by contacting the law enforcement authorities in your own state.
