Driving with tinted windows has never been more appealing as you cruise around Salt Lake City. The harsh Utah sun scorches your dashboard while blinding your vision. The steering wheel literally burns your hands. You’ve been contemplating a window tint for years but have been too afraid to pull the trigger for fear of getting stopped.
Salt Lake City window tinting laws don’t have to mean a lose-lose situation where you sacrifice style or privacy. Safety and security have always been the primary objectives of window tinting, but that doesn’t mean leaving you no recourse to style. You just need to better understand your options.
In this article, we’re going to shed some light on the Salt Lake City window tinting laws. We’ll provide you with the tools and information you need to install window tint legally, to your satisfaction, while also protecting your interior and the privacy of those who ride inside your vehicle. Read on for a better understanding of legal options for tinting your vehicle.
Salt Lake City Window Tinting Laws Explained
Utah law has always maintained clear standards when it comes to legal tint in the state. These standards are relevant and applicable to Salt Lake City. They apply across all vehicle types for consistency in enforcement, safety, and usability.
Utah measures window tint darkness on a percentage scale using Visible Light Transmission (VLT). The higher the VLT percentage, the more light that is allowed to pass through the window film. A lower VLT percentage, then, means a darker window.
Salt Lake City window tinting laws for passenger vehicles require at least 43% VLT on the front side windows, including the driver and passenger front windows. This protects pedestrian and cyclist visibility as well as rearward visibility for other vehicles while turning and changing lanes. The windshield can have non-reflective tint but only in the area above the AS-1 line, typically the top 4 inches of the windshield.
Utah allows for any darkness on the rear side windows and rear window. This gives a significant amount of privacy for passengers in the backseat as well as privacy from any valuables that might be stored in the trunk. This separation between front and rear window tinting makes logical sense from a safety standpoint given rearward visibility relies primarily on the use of mirrors.
Illegal Window Tint Violations are Costly
The lack of uniformity in window tint laws among states can prompt drivers to add illegal tint while visiting. That makes an illegal window tint a risky proposition when you consider the associated risks of getting pulled over by an officer with a tint meter.
Illegal window tint in Salt Lake City is typically met with a fix-it ticket. You are given the option of removing the tint or paying for it and the corresponding penalties. In Salt Lake City, a first time window tinting violation comes with a $75 fine.
Violating window tinting laws can void your vehicle warranty on windows and glass in case of an accident or natural disaster. Insurance companies could void your claim if you get into an accident with illegal tint. Non-compliant tint fails vehicle inspections in Salt Lake City.
Officers use tint meters to measure the darkness on your window tint. It’s not guesswork, nor do they have a handheld light meter and simply estimate from a distance. This tint meter is a handheld device that gives precise VLT readings for officers to decide if you are in violation or not.
You can also request a window tinting exemption for medical reasons through the Utah Department of Public Safety. Skin conditions such as lupus, photosensitivity, melanoma, and other eye disorders may be eligible for tint exemption.
To get a window tint exemption for medical reasons, you have to provide documentation from a licensed medical professional that you are currently under their care. Submit the application along with medical documentation to the Utah Department of Public Safety. Once your request is approved, you will be issued an exemption certificate. This certificate is proof you can tint your windows darker than normal state requirements.
The medical tint exemption certificate is not carte blanche to tint any window as dark as you like, however. It is very specific to which windows on your vehicle you are permitted to tint and to what degree. These medical exemptions typically allow 22% VLT on the front side windows. The exemption must be renewed periodically to ensure it is still medically necessary. Keep the exemption certificate in your vehicle to show officers in the event of a traffic stop.
UV Rays and Salt Lake City Window Tinting Laws
Legal window tint does a lot more than just improve the aesthetics of your vehicle and prevent nosy neighbors or security cameras from seeing inside. When properly installed with a high-quality window film, Salt Lake City window tinting law actually protects the interior of your vehicle.
Utah’s front window tint legal limit is 43% VLT, which blocks out 57% of visible light and up to 99% of UV rays from reaching your interior. This can help significantly from interior fading, cracking, and other damage associated with UV ray exposure.
Window tint helps to reject heat, but that doesn’t mean you need a dark tint for significant heat reduction. Ceramic window films have been shown to be some of the most efficient at reflecting and rejecting interior heat build-up while still being available in lighter film. High-end ceramic and crystalline window films can reduce interior temps up to 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit during hot summer days.
You are not restricted by Salt Lake City window tinting laws on the back windows. You can use whatever darkness you like to give yourself privacy from the backseat or help to protect valuables and expensive equipment from theft. Most people prefer the privacy of the dark tint from the rear seat and will select 5% or even 2.5% tint for the back of their vehicle.
The tint film brand and installation will have a noticeable impact on interior heat reduction. Premium brands such as 3M, XPEL, and Llumar all perform with higher quality standards for clarity, color retention, and consumer warranty coverage.
Professional Installation Will Guarantee Legal Compliance
Salt Lake City window tinting requires a calibrated and handheld light meter to accurately measure the visible light transmission (VLT) of your window tint. While it is possible to purchase your own and attempt to do it yourself at home, professional installation comes with some advantages that will help ensure legal compliance.
Professional installation ensures accurate VLT measurements. Installers also have access to professionally cut film from any manufacturer for virtually every vehicle model available today. There are very few shops that require customers to come in and use a stencil for cutting the film.
This professional cutting service will result in a nearly perfect installation with little to no gaps or overlaps that may run afoul of Salt Lake City window tinting laws. They will also provide you with an invoice for your window tinting with documentation of the VLT percentage on the film installed on your vehicle.
Window tint comes with a manufacturer warranty, and that warranty only applies when it is professionally installed. This means bubbling, peeling, and discoloration of the window tint is covered and the shop will come out to remove and reinstall at no charge to the customer.
Tips to Keep Your Window Tint Looking Great
Window tint isn’t cheap. In fact, Salt Lake City window tinting services and quality window film can easily run you over $1,000 to complete. You want to be sure your window tint lasts for many years and stays looking great over that time. There are some key maintenance tips you can follow.
During the first 30 days of installation, your window tint will still be curing, so it’s recommended you don’t open your windows. This includes sunroofs, rear windows, or the front passenger window.
Clean your tinted windows with an ammonia-free cleaning product. Regular household cleaners with ammonia can damage the surface of the tint and create a cloudy, dull appearance. This can look like an illegal window tint to Salt Lake City police.
Avoid ammonia-based cleaners and harsh scrubbing brushes. Ammonia and cleaning tools with rough or scratchy surfaces can damage the integrity of your window film tinting. This includes towels used at the carwash that may have rough bristles built-in.
High heat and cold temperatures in Utah can cause low-quality window tint to bubble, peel, and even discolor over time. This can also affect VLT ratings and create a safety issue. Always keep an eye out for damage to your window tint. If you do find an issue, get it repaired as soon as possible.
Salt Lake City Window Tinting Laws: Are There Smart Approaches?
It is always important to keep in mind that there is some smart planning and strategic thinking that you can apply to the process. There are numerous ways that you can maximize the benefits of window tint while still staying within the letter of the law as outlined in the Salt Lake City window tinting laws.
Consider keeping your front window tint to legal levels and darkening up the tint on your rear windows. This can create a nice aesthetic that protects your front seats and windshield without sacrificing the privacy of those riding in the back.
Paint protection film for the front end of your car will look great with new window tint. Not only do these two Salt Lake City modifications protect different parts of your vehicle, but both can really enhance the resale value of your vehicle while maintaining your investment.
Plan your window tinting with other upgrades in mind. Tint before installation of certain electronics or parts that you may want to conceal with the tint. Interior detailing and refurbishing should also be completed before new window tint to avoid damaging your new tint job.
The Future of Window Tinting in the United States
Window tint laws in all 50 states change from time to time as technology and automotive culture changes and as new studies come in about safety and health. In some places, states have loosened restrictions as new films and technologies are able to maintain line of sight visibility while still blocking UV rays.
Other states have ramped up enforcement with new systems like automated license plate readers that can be cross-referenced with vehicle violations and known tinting offenders. The hope is to head off violations before they can occur by increasing risk for tint violators.
The future of window tint may well be smart tinting. Electrochromic glass can now change darkness on demand electronically. You could eventually say goodbye to traditional window film. This technology is still years away from affordable consumer-grade products but is a potentially game-changing innovation for auto enthusiasts.
The Future of Salt Lake City Window Tinting Laws
The future of Salt Lake City window tinting laws will depend heavily on what happens in the rest of the state. Changes and new studies, legislative actions, or even local government regulation and laws can change the tinting landscape in Salt Lake City overnight.
Join a local car club or enthusiast community in Salt Lake City to stay up to date with local issues regarding window tinting. Follow the Utah Highway Patrol for updates and warnings. Build a relationship with a local tinting professional shop to find out about issues as they crop up and learn what new technologies will be available to you in the future.
Conclusion
Window tinting is a multifaceted modification with significant additional purposes beyond style and privacy. Window tint protects you from dangerous UV rays, keeps your vehicle interior protected, and reduces interior heat to improve the comfort level in your car. With the right information and installation, window tint is an investment in your vehicle that you can feel good about for years to come.
Salt Lake City window tinting laws don’t have to mean a lose-lose situation where you sacrifice style or privacy. Safety and security have always been the primary objectives of window tinting, but that doesn’t mean leaving you no recourse to style. You just need to better understand your options.
In this article, we’re going to shed some light on the Salt Lake City window tinting laws. We’ll provide you with the tools and information you need to install window tint legally, to your satisfaction, while also protecting your interior and the privacy of those who ride inside your vehicle. Read on for a better understanding of legal options for tinting your vehicle.
Resources:
Our top source for all information regarding the Salt Lake City window tinting laws comes from the Utah Department of Public Safety. They have an entire section on window tinting exemptions as well as requirements and legal considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need a certification for window tint in Utah?
Yes, you do need to produce a tint certification. The manufacturer tint slip is proof of the VLT percentage that is visible from the outside of your vehicle.
Do I need to remove my factory tint before window tinting in Salt Lake City?
The short answer is no. Window tint can be applied directly over most factory tint without restriction. However, a professional installer will typically remove your factory tint for you if it is dark and significantly reduces VLT from the window. This is to provide a more consistent base to work with to reduce bubbling and peeling.
Can I tint the windows on my truck in Salt Lake City?
You can use window tint on any truck window that is required for you to have while driving on a public road in Salt Lake City.
Will my headlights get dimmer if I tint my windows in Salt Lake City?
Headlights will get dimmer if your front window tint is too dark or not uniformly installed. Window tint has been shown to not effect LED headlights in Salt Lake City.
