In Florida if your tint/sunscreening material is too dark or too reflective you can be pulled over and charged with a non-moving violation pursuant to FL Chapter 316. The penalties for non-moving violations vary slightly from County to County in Florida. In Miami-Dade County the fine is $129.00 and the sunscreening must be replaced with a legal tint/reflectiveness or removed. Otherwise, you may be subject to another fine or worse for repeat offenders.
Law enforcement officers are issued a device used to scan windows to identify illegal tints.
A commonly used device is called “Tint Meter Enforcer.”
(Florida) Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In Florida, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.
(Florida)
Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line
Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
Rear Windows: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
Some window films contain metallic elements that reflect incoming light reducing the glare and heat inside the vehicle. Florida has laws on this as well:
Front Side Windows: Must not be more than 25% reflective.
Back Side Windows: Must not be more than 25% reflective.
WHO IS EXEMPT?
Pursuant to 2012 Florida Statute, Chapter 316, Section 29545, window sunscreening exclusions include those with a medical exemption, certain law enforcement vehicles, and private investigative service vehicles are exempt. Below is the Florida window sunscreening exemption statute. After reading it, if you feel that you qualify for exemption of Florida Window sunscreening law because of a medical condition, complete and submit this form: LINK TO FORM.
THE BORING LAW WORD-FOR-WORD REGARDING EXEMPTION:
316.29545 Window sunscreening exclusions; medical exemption; certain law enforcement vehicles and private investigative service vehicles exempt.—
(1) The department shall issue medical exemption certificates to persons who are afflicted with Lupus, any autoimmune disease, or other medical conditions which require a limited exposure to light, which certificates shall entitle the person to whom the certificate is issued to have sunscreening material on the windshield, side windows, and windows behind the driver which is in violation of the requirements of ss. 316.2951-316.2957. The department shall consult with the Medical Advisory Board established in s. 322.125 for guidance with respect to the autoimmune diseases and other medical conditions which shall be included on the form of the medical certificate authorized by this section. At a minimum, the medical exemption certificate shall include a vehicle description with the make, model, year, vehicle identification number, medical exemption decal number issued for the vehicle, and the name of the person or persons who are the registered owners of the vehicle. A medical exemption certificate shall be nontransferable and shall become null and void upon the sale or transfer of the vehicle identified on the certificate.
(2) The department shall exempt all law enforcement vehicles used in undercover or canine operations from the window sunscreening requirements of ss. 316.2951-316.2957.
(3) The department shall exempt from the window sunscreening restrictions of ss. 316.2953, 316.2954, and 316.2956 vehicles that are owned or leased by private investigators or private investigative agencies licensed under chapter 493.
(4) The department may charge a fee in an amount sufficient to defray the expenses of issuing a medical exemption certificate as described in subsection (1).
(5) The department is authorized to promulgate rules for the implementation of this section.
History.—s. 14, ch. 2000-313; s. 9, ch. 2010-223.
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If you get a ticket, remember to tell your lawyer to use Miami PSPI, LLC for all their process service and private investigative needs.