Ohio Window Tint Laws Question

**ssdrvr** · 06-11-2009, 09:58 PM

I`m from Ohio and recently purchased some pre-cut window tint (50% for the front windows and 20% for the back), but noticed that the law requires some sort of sticker to be affixed on each window between the film and glass to verify that it is legal. Does anyone know whether this applies only to professionally installed tint jobs or DIY projects as well? In addition, will police in Ohio check for stickers even if the tint darkness is within legal parameters?

**Accumulator** · 06-12-2009, 11:00 AM

ssdrvr- Welcome to Autopia!

I don`t have an answer to your question, I don`t know if it`s a pro-only rule or not :nixweiss

But what I *do* know is that enforcement of such laws is, uhm...pretty discretionary; you`re at the mercy of the LEO. It`s just like front license plates- some people get cited and others never do.

IMO, 50% oughta be clearly OK so unless the LEO is looking to hassle you *I* wouldn`t worry about it. Maybe see if the seller of the film offers a "% transmission" sticker.

If you get pulled over, remember to put down your windows, at least the front two, even if it`s raining/snowing/whatever. The thing that gets LEOs revved up about window tint is that they don`t know if you`re gonna shoot `em when they approach the car because they can`t see what`s going on inside your vehicle. Yeah, that`s a hassle and yeah it`s unfair but the LEO is concerned for his/her safety.

You could always call the local BMV office or the local Highway Patrol outpost, but I wouldn`t be surprised if they gave you a negative answer whether it`s true or not.

**ssdrvr** · 06-13-2009, 12:00 PM

That helps a lot! I`ll keep your suggestions in mind if I ever get pulled over - which will hopefully never happen

. Thanks Accumulator.

**imported_Jakerooni** · 06-13-2009, 12:39 PM

Yea not only are tint laws different in each state but you`ll find they also change from county to county. The best bet is to contact your local offices and see what they have on the books.

**heatgain** · 06-13-2009, 01:13 PM

We have 2 tint laws that I can utilize as a Magistrate in Alabama.

The State tint law, which cites transmission percentages and therefore requires a LEO to have a meter in order to enforce that statute.

But we also have a local (municipal) law, which states if the tint is dark enough to obscure the driver and prevent an officer from seeing and recognizing features of the driver`s face, then that`s a citation, no meter needed.

You`d better check your state AND local laws.

**M0nk3y** · 06-13-2009, 05:04 PM

from what I have learned from working at NorthShore Tint (Northern Ohio). Is that there is no need for a transmission sticker to be placed on the window.

We have never done it, and no other tint shop has it

**XRtrix90** · 06-13-2009, 09:24 PM

I have 15% on my rear windows with 35% on front, 15% on windshield.

Havent had an issue

**LouisanaJeeper** · 06-13-2009, 11:00 PM

at 50% the officer (and everyone else) is not even going to realize the window is tinted, 50% is basically clear.

**M0nk3y** · 06-14-2009, 10:20 AM

I have 35% all around and I have never had any trouble

**Twista616** · 06-23-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by M0nK3y

I have 35% all around and I have never had any trouble

x2...i try to keep it like that!

**nrengle** · 07-12-2009, 12:57 PM

I have a little experience with this (sorry for the late reply too).

It can be anything on the rear passenger and rear windows, but the front driver and passenger, and top 6 inches of the wind screen have to allow at least 50% light in. The thing to remember too with a lot of factory windows, is they already have a tint to them, no matter how small, so if they have a 90% tint, and you get a 50% film, and put it on, your windows are now to 40%, which is illegal.

Also ask to see the last time the gun was calibrated if they check your tint. And make sure it`s sunny. A cloudy day will skew the results. I got popped cause I have 35% all the way around (except wind screen, anything that is a full cover on it is illegal). When the trooper tested my window, she said it was 5%, there`s no way, otherwise I wouldn`t be able to see out of the thing. I asked to see the calibration documentation on her meter, and she wouldn`t show me. I ended up fighting the ticket and got out of it. Other wise it`s $90 bucks per window. (so could be a total of $270 a pop if they want to be *&$# about it.

Also I have never heard about the sticker thing. I`ve had my past three cars professionally tinted, and never had a sticker put on the window between it and the glass.

**Accumulator** · 07-13-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by nrengle

..Also ask to see the last time the gun was calibrated if they check your tint.. When the trooper tested my window, she said it was 5%, there`s no way, otherwise I wouldn`t be able to see out of the thing. I asked to see the calibration documentation on her meter, and she wouldn`t show me..

Heh heh, I suspect you have to be *very* diplomatic about that request regarding the calibration

Glad you beat the (bum) rap in court, but I`m not surprised it went that far.

Sounds to me like that sticker might be a good way of avoiding hassles :think:

**nrengle** · 07-13-2009, 01:13 PM

Well when she said that it was 5% tint I asked her to check her calibration and to see the paper work when it was done last as I admitted that it was 35%, and that there is no possible way that the windows come from the factory with a 70% tint on them already. They do how ever come with a 90% tint. So that added up should only be 25% not 5%. She was none too happy that I knew the law, but it`s the only way to defend yourself with some of these cops out there. (I have a acquantance that`s on a major city police force that he`ll bust people for drugs, then take their stashes and either sell it or keep for himself, how F`D is that?

Yeah I didn`t want to go to court over it, but it`s the only choice I had, I wasn`t about to pay out for that.

**Accumulator** · 07-14-2009, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by nrengle

... She was none too happy that I knew the law...

Huh, that`s too bad. I`ve been fortunate in my experiences with the OSP, their troopers have always been both friendly and professional during my, uhm..."interactions" with them. Guess there are bad apples in any barrel.

**nrengle** · 07-14-2009, 10:37 PM

One pulled my wife over before we were married, and on her ticket put she was Male, was in the wrong county, wrong road, got her address wrong, a couple of other things. She fought it, cause everyone thought she`d get off on the speeding ticket (even our family lawyer said it was a no brainer). Trooper showed up, the judge wasn`t hearing it, even though we were able to prove that the trooper didn`t know the roads, and obviously didn`t know her sexes. My wife has 36DD`s that`s kinda hard to mistake for a male....

But again out here outside of Columbus in corner of BFE and You Got a Purrdy Mouth it`s no surprise that the cops are prone to harassment. Had one follow us and stop us the other night on our road. Asking where we were going, and if we had business in the area. It`s like dude, run the address with the plates next time, we live about 3 houses down from here.