New York Window Tint Law (May 2023)

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The New York window tint laws were brought into existence in the year 1991 and were amended in 2017. Ever since then the state of New York has not failed to maintain discipline among its people. One of the main laws includes: Rear side windows must also allow at least 70% of the light from the outside to pass through the window if the vehicle is classified as a:

  •  Convertible
  • Coupe
  • Sedan
  • Hardrop
  • Hatchback
  • Station wagon

A vehicle falls into this category only if it is labeled “Passenger Car” on the Federal ID label found on the left front door panel. It is considered as completely illegal to operate a vehicle with glass that does not comply with this law.

That’s just a gist of the laws that you are going to come across ahead in this article. Furthermore, you will see the basic laws as well as other necessary information you need to be aware of to avoid unbeneficial circumstances. 

Check out other States Window Tint Law :-

What Does VLT Mean According To The New York State Law

VLT(Visible Light Transmission) is the light percentage allowed by the window tint film to travel through your car windows. Each and every state has dissimilar allowable terms for it. In New York, the proportion of light allowed to pass through passenger vehicle window films and multi-purpose vehicle window films are different.

HIGH VLT= MORE AMOUNTS OF LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH YOUR WINDOW TINT FILMS.

LOW VLT= LESS AMOUNTS OF LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH YOUR WINDOW TINT FILMS.

For instance, a 83% tint will allow only 83% of light to pass through whereas a 10% tint will allow only 10% of light to travel through the window tint film. 

New York Tint Law: Legal Tint Limit For Passenger Vehicles

  • Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
  • Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
  • Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used if using dual exterior rear view mirrors.
  • Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used if using dual exterior rear view mirrors.

New York Tint Law: Legal Tint Limit For Multi-purpose Vehicles

  • Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
  • Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
  • Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
  • Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used

Window Tint Reflection In New York

Tint reflection for passenger vehicles:

  • Front side windows: must not have mirrored or metallic appearance 
  • Back side windows: must not have mirrored or metallic appearance 

Tint reflection for multi-purpose vehicles:

  • Front side windows: must not have mirrored or metallic appearance
  • Back side windows: must not have mirrored or metallic appearance

Other New York Window Tint Law Rules And Regulations

Like we’ve mentioned earlier besides the laws there are a few other things you have to be aware of before you decide on tinting your car windows or not and they are as follows:

  • Side mirrors: if the back side windows or rear window is tinted below seventy percent VLT then dual side mirrors are required.
  • Restricted colours: any colours can be used since there are no specific colours banned.
  • Certificates: the tint film manufacturers do not have to get their film certified.
  • Stickers: between the film and glass on each and every tinted window there is a sticker required 
  • Medical exceptions: for special tint medical exemptions are allowed.

Medical exemptions

If you are somebody with any of these medical conditions then you can easily request an exemption from the law : 

  • Albinism
  • Chronic actinic dermatitis/actinic reticuloid 
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Lupus erythematosus 
  • Porphyria 
  • Xeroderma
  • Drug photosensitivity provided that the course of treatment causing The photosensitivity is expected to be of prolonged duration 
  • Photophobia associated with an ophthalmic or neurological disorder 
  • Any other disorder that causes severe photosensitivity in which the individual is required for medical reasons to be guarded against the direct contact of the sun.