[Wrngway]

I'm looking to get my car tinted. I'd like to get 35 or 40 tint, but don't want to attract attention from the local police in Fairfax county. 50 tint seems to be a little light from my perspective.

Just wondering what your experience has been in NOVA. I know VA tint laws are 50 front and 35 rear, but I'd like to keep the tint level even for all windows.

[shakko]

I've been running 35 all around for about 3 years now and no problems (knock on wood) so far. Whenever you do see a heavily patrolled area, just pull your windows down and you should be ok.

[MDyDinanM]

i've been ticketed once for illegal Tint. State Troopers do enforce it - if they catch you.

I had just bought the car which had illegal tint already on it, and was planning on changing the tint the following weekend. On my way to work, a State Trooper pulled me over. Despite my explanation and proof of recent purchase from the bill of sale of the car, I got a ticket. I showed up in court with proof of having it fixed, and the charge was dropped.

More of a pain in the butt really.

[Raja Ventureshield]

i ran 15% tint all the way plus rear and rear-side sun shade up at all time. It was dark.
Got two ticket in 2 1/2 years. It sucked but i wanted it dark.
Now running 35% all around.

[Jlm3]

I also have 35% all the way around and haven't had any issues. Knock on wood.

[DLam]

ive had 35% on my lexus for the past 5 years and got ticketed twice. One by a sheriff and the other by a state trooper. With my e92, bought it with tint and no issues so far in the 3 weeks of ownership.

[itsmeek]

I have never been pulled over for tint in the 18 or so years I have been driving. I don't believe that VA police will pull you over for say a 35% tint. Rule of thumb is generally, if they can't see into your car during the day or when their lights are behind you- they will bother you. I also don't think you have much issues unless you are pulled over for something else, are really young, or have a hooptie.

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by itsmeek

I have never been pulled over for tint in the 18 or so years I have been driving. I don't believe that VA police will pull you over for say a 35% tint. Rule of thumb is generally, if they can't see into your car during the day or when their lights are behind you- they will bother you. I also don't think you have much issues unless you are pulled over for something else, are really young, or have a hooptie.

x2 18 years of driving w/tint in Fairfax VA and Mont County MD I have never once been pulled over for tint and my tint was/is always illegal (usually 30%-35%). There have been countless times I have pulled up right next to a cop at a light, and I cringe everytime too, but they never bother me.

If I see a cop and it's nice out I will roll down my windows until he is gone. If it's sunny out and I can't roll down my window because it to cold or whatever, another trick is to open your sunroof shade to let more light in which gives the tint the illusion it's not as dark.

[vlm7]

I've been pulled over twice with 35%. Once on 66 during the day when the police are focused on looking into each car for HOV enforcement, and once in downtown Fairfax at night.

I've since used 40% and have not been stopped in several years - knock on wood.

[Mach V Dan]

I have this...friend...who has a 335i with 35% tint all around. No issues yet. I, I mean he, usually keep the sunroof shade open for maximum light...

--Dan
Mach V

[tmaung]

Same. 35% all around on bimmer and no troubles (dark interior). Had 35% and 20% on the Lexus (light interior) and got caught only once at night but took photos in the morning with sunroof open and showed the photos at court and was dismissed. You can also go to an eye doctor and complain about the brightness and fill out a DMV form that allows 35% all around. You will get a new registration permitting you to have the tint.

[Wrngway]

Thanks all.

I haven't made up my mind yet, but this is one reason I invested in a Vet plate. Not that it's an excuse to go around breaking the law or that I want to flaunt it, but I know it has some bearing on police if they're considering pulling you over.

40 all around may be a good comprimise. But I'll need to see an example in person. My interior is saddle brown, so it's not as dark as some.

Coincidently, I had a Z28 that had 35 all around [EDIT-correction 20% all around]. I think it even had tint on the windshield. It sported FL plates since I was in the military. But I had that in Virginia for over 2 years and never once had a problem with it.

[Myriad]

35% all around. Drive all over VA without any issue. Saddle interior helps to lighten things up a bit though, I think.

[Eugeinus]

Pretty much like everyone else here, 35% around, black interior, no trouble yet.

[forever_speed]

No problems yet with 35% tints all around. I think thats the safest bet! I really am tempted to go with 20% at some point.

[akuliest]

i run 35% all around. i like to drive with the sunroof shade open so it brings in more light, and therefore makes the tint look a bit lighter. iv had the car for a year and no ticket yet.

[Eric the Ricer]

20% all around on an AW E90, no problems yet. 2+ years.

[cshawkeye]

35% all around. Talked to a few Arlington officers and they said I should be fine.

[Super Amjo]

I have 35% all around and was pulled over on RT 28 in Dulles by a state trooper (post is around here somewhere) - but I have a medical waiver so no biggie.

[335xi_zer0]

35% on Monaco Blue for a year now... had 35% on a silver car before that (looked much darker). Only got ticketed once on the silver car, none on the bimmer.

I drive mainly NoVA area with random trips here and there (ticket was on I-81 going south). When in doubt, just open your sunroof. Makes a difference.

If you want, I hear it's not hard to go to an eye doctor, say you have sensitivity to light, and get a medical waiver, go to DMV, and get the tint. You can also tint your front with that waiver.

[Super Amjo]

doesn't even have to be an eye doctor, in my experience eye doctors are less likely to give you the tint waiver - I got mine from my General Practitioner, I know a few folks that even got them from their dentists, lol.

[Wrngway]

I went ahead and got the 35% tint.

Just before I got it I saw my doctor (general practitioner) and he completed the form for the medical waiver. I sent it off to the DMV last week. Hope it doesn't take too long to process.