Do you know that tinting windshield is illegal in the state of New Jersey? Most people don’t. That’s because none of us has the time to go through the state’s statute books. They are bland and boring and require one to scour through hundreds of pages before the useful material presents itself.
However, as uninspiring that they might be, NJ Window Tinting Laws are a must-read for drivers who have their vehicles on the state’s highways. Especially those of you who have already tinted their windows or are planning to do it need to know about the state’s tint laws to remain away from legal trouble.
Read on to know everything you need to know about NJ tint laws:
Type of NJ Window Tinting Laws
According to WCMA Window & Door, The NJ tint laws are broadly divided into two categories. The first covers the window tint darkness, whereas the second is for window tint reflection. Both these terms might look similar to you but their meanings cannot be more different. Here’s how.
Window Tint Darkness
The state of jersey measures window tint darkness through a term called visible light transmission. Known as VLT in short form, it is the percentage of visible light that is legally permissible through your car windows.
This percentage is different for SUV cars, vans, and sedans. That is to say that the level of tint darkness that you can apply on sedans in NJ is different from the one that is legally permissible on the windows and windshield of, say, vans.
Window Tint Reflection
At the cost of sounding technical, reflection is a phenomenon that returns incoming light and reduces the glare and heat the passengers of the vehicle have to deal with.
NJ tint laws state that a specific window reflection is permissible when using a tint. Going above that number might get you on the wrong side of law enforcement.
NJ Window Tinting Law
Having described the type of tint laws that are applicable in the state of New Jersey since 2003, it’s time to dig deep and find out what the rules themselves’ state:
Window Tint Darkness Laws In NJ
Here are the tint darkness laws in the state of New Jersey:
Windshield
Whether you’re a driver of a sedan, SUV, or van in the state of New Jersey, you aren’t legally allowed to tint your windshield. There is no exception regardless of the type of vehicle you drive.
Front Side Windows
Similar to that of the windshield, no owner of any vehicle is allowed to tint the front side windows under any circumstances. That means that you cannot legally apply tint to the front side window.
Back Side Windows
Unlike that of the windshield and front side windows, you can use any darkness on the back side windows regardless of whether you drive an SUV, sedan, or van.
Rear Window
The same facility that the law gives you in the case of back side windows – where you can use any darkness, is provided in the case of rear windows as well. You can use any darkness on this part of your vehicle as well.
Tip: NJ Tint laws state that you have to use dual side mirrors if you have chosen to tint your back window. Doing otherwise might land you in legal trouble.
Tint Reflection Laws In NJ
Here are the tint reflection laws in the state of New Jersey:
Front side windows
Although the state of New Jersey allows all vehicle drivers (SUV, sedan, and vans) to use a specific window reflection, it qualifies the permission by stating that you cannot use a tint that has a metallic or mirrored appearance.
Back side windows
The same tint reflection law that applies on front side windows is applicable on back side windows too. That is to say that whether you can use a tint for reflecting light on the rear side window, it must not have a mirrored or metallic appearance.
FAQs and Answers
Q: When were the NJ tint laws enacted?
A: New Jersey tint laws entered into force in the year 2003, making The Garden State 40th state in the US to have its own window tinting laws.
Q: What are the penalties for violating NJ tint laws?
A: First-time offenders can be slapped with a maximum fine of $1000. Those that are recurrent offenders can be fined a maximum of $5000.
Q: Does New Jersey give any exceptions to its tinting laws?
A: The state of New Jersey gives medical exemptions to special tint. You may want to consult New Jersey law for more details on how to get the exemption and what sort of medical conditions it covers.
Q: Do New Jersey tint laws ban any colors of tint?
A: Unlike in some other parts of the world where they ban bright tint colors, New Jersey law doesn’t explicitly ban any specific color of the tint.
Q: Do manufacturers of tint need to certify the film they sell in New Jersey?
A: There are now Window Tint Certification Rules in New Jersey. Manufacturers therefore are under no obligation to certify the film they sell to drivers.
Q: What are the benefits of tinting your windows?
A: Here’s why someone would like to tint their windows:
- Reduction of glare from snow and other vehicles’ headlights
- Blockage of UV rays that are harmful to the skin
- Protection of car’s interior rays from fading
- Increase in one’s privacy by preventing others from seeing in
Q: What are the drawbacks of tinting your windows?
A: Here’s why some people decide against tinting their windows:
- Reduction of driver’s visibility to a dangerous degree
- Might land the driver in legal trouble if it’s too dark
Conclusion
To summarize everything that we have said above, drivers of sedans, SUVs, and vans can apply darkening tint on their back side and rear windows. They can also use reflecting tint on the front side and back side windows as long as the tint isn’t of metallic or mirrored appearance.