North Dakota Tint Laws for Cars in a Nutshell
Understanding the legalities of window tint can help you avoid fines or increased insurance premiums. You can also benefit from knowing that you’ll help protect your family and yourself from the risks that come with too much sunshine. North Dakota’s tint laws are similar to the laws in most other states. They specify how dark your window tint can be, the amount of reflection it has and what type of colors are permitted. Hue is important; states don’t care about the names that car manufacturers use for their shades. Having darker tint on your vehicle’s windows may reduce the chance that someone inside the car will suffer heat-related illnesses or skin conditions. It also cuts down on glare, whether that comes from the sun or other vehicles. Many people have elected to tint their windows in a factory-approved way, thereby gaining protection from harmful UV rays. According to the International Window Film Association (IWFA), all states allow window film for UV protection, even if it doesn’t meet mandated legal requirements. If you’re going to decide not to install window tint, do it with consideration of the potential consequences. In addition, if you already have window tint on your car, you can still have it replaced with film that fulfills state regulations. Auto tint laws vary from one state to another, as do exceptions that apply to drivers who have chronic medical conditions that can worsen with exposure to bright sunlight or ultraviolet light. The 2011 edition of the IWFA Tint Regulations Chart shows that the North Dakota rules for visible light transmission (VLT) are part of the North Dakota Century Code (N.D.C.C. 39-21-43.9). For the front windshield , the minimum VLT is 30 percent. The maximum VLT is 70 percent for the front side windows. For the rear windows, the N.D.C.C. requires manufacturers to equip them with windows that have a minimum VLT of 20 percent. It’s illegal for drivers to adhere any substances to these windows. The rear windshield must have a minimum VLT of 20 percent. As for the degree of reflectivity allowed, North Dakota law outlines that manufacturers must equip vehicles with windows that have reflectivity of no more than 20 percent on the front side windows. The limits are as follows for the rear windows: If you think that a large percentage of car owners might be breaking the law, you’d probably be surprised to learn that in a recent study, the IWFA found that approximately 95 percent of the vehicles examined were in compliance. If a traffic officer offers you a "fix-it ticket" for window tint, don’t take it lightly. Most of them don’t know the law. That kind of ticket offers you a chance to get the tint corrected, so that you don’t have to pay the fine or show up in court. This can amount to thousands of dollars, even in states where court costs are low. If you read the tinted glass section of N.D.C.C. 39-21-43.9, you’ll find that it addresses any other types of windows on a vehicle. Window tint must not obscure the driver’s vision. The law also states that windows can’t have any opalescent or iridescent materials.
Types of Permitted Tint in Cars in North Dakota
Legal tint levels are measured by two factors: The visible light transmission percentage (VLT%) and the reflectivity percentage that is safe for vehicle windows. VLT is the percentage of visible light allowed through the window film and VLT percentages vary between states and between different windows on the same vehicle as well.
Drivers in North Dakota as well as visitors to North Dakota driving into and through the state are allowed a maximum of 50% VLT on side and back windows of vans, SUVs and trucks, along with a minimum of 70 percent VLT on the front windshield. This means that only 50 percent allowance for VLT for side and back glass is about 5% VLT and the tint film can only be used on those vehicles with factory tinted windows. In other words, virtually all vehicles on the road in North Dakota have at least 5% tint on side and back glass.
The same 70% applies to front windshield of passenger vehicles and vans as does those for trucks and SUVs, however, the law does include a yellow or amber strip that is a maximum of 5" in height from the top down. In some states, the angle of the windshield is factored in as you drive downhill and the legal limit actually increases due to sun rise/sunset.
The front side windows of passenger vehicles and vans is a maximum of 50% VLT while the rear side windows can be just about anything a driver wants – including completely black out tinted windows. While truck and SUV drivers are granted an exception from the safety equipment regulations, there are no exceptions from the VLT restrictions that other cars have.
While the percentage may sound inversely proportionate, it’s not totally unusual. For example, South Dakota also has similar legal window tint requirements as North Dakota, but neighboring Minnesota is more lenient with their VLT requirements. South Dakota allows window tint levels that are 20 percent lighter than what North Dakota does, but Minnesota allows tint levels that are 10 percent lighter. The difference may seem small at first, but it actually adds up to a significant amount of light when you’re talking about window tint levels across all windows on a vehicle.
Just as a situated fact, the Department of Motor Vehicles in North Dakota does not say that reflective tinting is permitted. Reflective tinting, as you may know, is typically impermissible in the majority of states.
Special Exceptions
With regards to any exemptions to the law, if you have a medical condition that requires tinted windows in order to alleviate the pain caused by bright lights, then you may be eligible for an exemption certificate. This certificate, however, must be obtained before you apply if you hope to beat the law, so it is important to do this as soon as you need to apply it. In addition, the DMV reserves the right to ask for visual proof of your illness.
In a special class of vehicles that are often subject to a different standard than most passenger cars, these include bus vans, and funeral hearses. These vehicles are exempt from the regulation that only amounts to 35% of the light should be transmitted through the windshield. In two of the three types of vehicles, a darker amount of tint is often added for aesthetic reasons, although the bus requirements vary from state to state and are often at the discretion of the DMV and inspector on hand during the process. Often, the van owners will request an inspection as the tinted windows are not clear from a distance as to how dark they are. If lights are present, then these are marked as secondary in the inspection process.
Penalties for Violation
The penalties for violating North Dakota code 39-21-46.2 are mainly related to fines, but do not include prison time. Fines will range from $20 to $250, and the cost may vary by county and municipality. An individual will likely have to pay a fine for each window that is tinted in violation of the law. Associates of the International Window Film Association in 2016 suggest that the average fine for tinted windows is $50 per window, and the fines can be steep. Vehicle owners who hold a commercial driver’s license may receive a higher fine.
Consequences may involve more than just money. If an individual has received a citation for violating state window tint laws, they may be required to remove the tinting to comply with the law. They can be ordered to attend a vision test to ensure their eyesight is not affected by the degree of tinting on windows. Failure to remove window tinting or attend court-ordered assessments may result in arrest , vehicle impound, and additional fines.
In most municipalities, authorities will give you the benefit of the doubt when it comes to light transmission. They will view incorrectly tinted windows as a secondary offense, meaning they will not stop you for having tinted windows, but they will issue a ticket for this offense should you commit a more severe offense, such as speeding. There are a few exceptions to this policy, however. For example, Grand Forks has a different standard of enforcement. Authorities there may pull you over and then ask whether your vehicle has tinted windows. If you answer "yes" but claim that the tint complies with state law, you may not be ticketed right away. Rather, the police officer will check your tint levels and tell you whether you will receive a ticket, depending on whether the tint is compliant.
Ensuring Your Car is Compliant
To ensure that your window tint levels comply with North Dakota laws, follow these steps:
• Visually inspect your car’s tint – Many people think they can tell whether they’re within the law by simply looking at the tint. Be careful—it isn’t always that simple. Sometimes, the tint appears darker indoors than it does in the sunlight.
• Seek professional help – While it can be tough to gauge your own vehicle’s tint level, a professional can easily do this for you. Taking the car to a reputable tint shop will help ensure that you’re following the law and staying safe.
• Use a tint meter – If you’d like to try doing it yourself, obtaining a simple tint meter is the most accurate way to ensure your tint level complies with the law. These tools are fairly inexpensive, and they’re portable enough to fit in your glove compartment. They shine a bright beam of light onto your windshield, letting you know exactly how much tint is coming through. You may be able to find a tint meter at your nearest auto parts store.
Changes in the Future and How You Will Know
As new technologies and innovative tint films emerge, window tint laws in North Dakota may undergo changes in the future. Efforts to reduce energy consumption through lower air conditioning usage and to minimize glare for safety reasons could drive updates to current regulations. Furthermore, the growing demand for privacy and protection from UV rays may influence lawmakers as they consider window tint guidelines.
To stay informed about any potential changes to North Dakota window tint laws, residents should regularly check with local government websites, the Department of Transportation , and relevant legislation news. It is also helpful to subscribe to updates from window film associations and professional tinting companies, as they often provide insights on new products and technologies.
Participation in community forums or groups focused on vehicle modifications can also help individuals stay informed about regulatory changes that could affect their vehicle’s design and features.
Educating oneself and staying updated on any proposed changes to window tint laws will not only ensure compliance with the most current regulations but also help consumers take advantage of the latest innovations in window tint products and services.