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      11-14-2012, 11:54 AM   #23
AndreyT
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Drives: 2011 335i Sedan, Sport
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amini77 View Post
Here is what it says on the DMV website:...
You are reading the wrong part. The part you quoted with "35%" number is about "sun screening devices", which is actually temporary removable "shades", like the ones with suction cups they sell for rear side windows for people carrying small children in their rear seats. It is not about the tint at all.

The part of Vehicle Code that actually applies to you is this

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Quote:
(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:

(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.

(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.

(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.

(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.

(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.
Note also, that this (d) part allows you to use tint with 70% VLT in the front side windows regardless of whether you have a document from a licensed physician. (Physician document is only required if you want to go less than 70% VLT).

Note also that the 70% is the total combined VLT of your window glass (with factory tint) and the tint film. You cannot use 70% VLT tint film by itself, since combined with your factory glass tint it will give you less than 70% VLT, which is a violation. In fact, the law above explicitly states that the film itself should have no less than 88% VLT.

Note also that corrupt CA cops have been routinely lying to the motorists on the road about legality of 70% VLT tint. The law allowing 70% VLT tint in CA was signed in 1999. Before 1999 any kind of aftermarket tint was completely illegal. However, to this day the cops have been routinely citing motorists with any sort of aftermarket tint on their windows, regardless of the VLT, as if it is still 1995. The cops continue to falsely claim that any sort of aftermarket tint is illegal. Corrupt judges usually support the cops in such cases, forcing people to pay the fine. You have to treat it as a semi-legal tax on the window tint. It just how things work in this country.

For example, on this page of California Highway Patrol web site

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

they have the audacity to openly claim that "The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting". In the later sentences they make a shy remark with a reference to a corrected law "However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999...". But one still has to wonder what is the purpose of the false initial "cannot receive" statement. Once one starts driving in CA, one quickly understands its purpose.

Note also that the law requires you to carry a certificate from the installer and/or manufacturer, confirming the legality of the installed tint. I'm not aware of any installers that issue such certificates. This little detail can be (and in some cases is) easily exploited by a corrupt cop+judge gang in order to force you to pay the fine, regardless of the VLT ratio of your tint.

Basically, when driving in CA, forget about the law or any rights you think you have. Remember that you will be forced to pay the "tint tax" regardless of VLT of your tint. The darker the tint, the more often you will get pulled over to pay the tax. Get used to it.

Last edited by AndreyT; 11-14-2012 at 02:11 PM..
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