A Brief Overview of Window Tint Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi window tint rules are very specific about the percentage of visible light that must come through your tinted film on your car and truck. The percentage is abbreviated VLT, which means "visible light transmission." Mississippi law states that the maximum VLTs you may have for your windshield is 20 percent VLT. Over that percentage will be considered as dark as legal. However, darker than factory tint is allowed to be used on the rest of the window glass of a passenger vehicle. As for the window glass on your SUV and minivan, the Mississippi window tint law requires that at least 28 percent VLT must be present. Only cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and vans owned by or registered to a window tinting company can have tinted glass that lights in less that 28 percent VLT. Also, the windshield glare shading or visor strip shall not exceed three inches. For the fringe at the top of the windshield , it must not exceed five inches.
All other window tinting requirements in Mississippi apply to cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and vans owned by or being driven by individuals who do not own or operate window tinting businesses. Here is a quick summary: Vehicles manufactured prior to 1986 are exempt from the light transmittance requirements. All window tint film must be certified and labeled by the manufacturer and applied in strict compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The labeling shall be done by having a sticker placed in the driver’s upper right corner identifying the tint manufacturer’s name, address, and visible light transmittance. If the tint is certified and installed properly, you will not be pulled over for having window tint on your car that does not meet the Mississippi window tint laws. Any tint not complying with these specifications will be presumed to be illegal until proven otherwise.
Staying on the Safe Side
Failing to adhere to Mississippi’s tint limits is illegal and can have some serious consequences. The police officer has the discretion to write you a ticket for a tint violation. A fine of $25 may be imposed on anyone operating a passenger motor vehicle with window tint that does not meet the minimum requirements for visibility under the law. In addition, law enforcement may require the operator of a motor vehicle to remove a tint or coating on the windshield or windows if it is determined to be non-compliant with the law.
Alternatively, you may be stopped for a tint violation and the officer may not give you a ticket. Instead, you may be required to have window tint removed from your car right then and there or you may be forced to go to a local law enforcement location the next business day in order to have the tint measured. If the tint measures are at or below the legal limits, then the matter is immediately over. If the tint measures are above the legal limits, then a fine will typically be assessed and you must remove the tint at that time (sometimes during a designated time period of 7 days). Additionally, you will be required to have the window tint re-measured within 7 days of having the tint replaced. If subsequent testing shows that the tint is at or below the legal limits, then the matter is over. However, if the tint is above the legal limits after the tint has been replaced, you may be issued another fine and required to remove the tint yet again. In addition, the officer may choose to require the tint to be removed even though it is at or below the legal limits if the tint is found to be reflective or has an "unusual hue." This law does not apply to law enforcement vehicles or vehicles operated by a person that works for a law enforcement agency while acting in his or her official capacity.
The tint compliance measurement done by law enforcement is fairly straight-forward. The law enforcement officer is required to check five windows on your vehicle for tint compliance:
The law enforcement officer is not required to measure tint on the front side windows for tint compliance. The tint can be measured at any police department location or any location designated by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Exemptions & Exceptions to the Rules
Exemptions and exceptions to the law
When it comes to window tinting laws, it often seems like there is nothing but restrictions. However, there are exemptions to the above-listed restrictions – and those exemptions can potentially affect thousands of people in Mississippi. Some individuals with specific medical conditions are exempt from the restrictions on tint. These include the following individuals: If a medical exemption is needed, then a specific form must be completed in order to receive an exemption. The form must be filled out by a licensed physician or optometrist in the state of Mississippi. As part of the medical exemption form, photos must be taken to show the physician’s exam and the tint that is currently being used in the windows. The completed medical exemption form must be submitted to the Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Bureau, Window Tint Exemption, 500 Clinton Center Drive, Suite B, Clinton, MS 39056-6312. Individuals must submit exemption forms within 30 days after the tinted windows are installed. If they do not have a medical exemption, then the regular tint restrictions will apply. When it comes to commercial vehicles, there are some restrictions that do not need to be followed. For example, tint restrictions for vehicles operated for hire or leased to someone else, taxis, buses, ambulances, hearses, and limousines do not have the same tint restrictions as private cars. The front windshield does not have to be transparent and other windows besides the windshield may have tint that is much darker, making it hard to see into the car or truck.
Choosing a Reliable Installer: Tips & Considerations
While there are numerous places where one can obtain window tinting service, not all of them comply with Mississippi law. For example, gas stations and convenience stores will sometimes offer tint installation, but their technicians may not be familiar with the state law about window tints. Consequently, while you may pay a lower price, you also run the serious risk of paying for illegal window film. When this happens, you will need to replace the tint film with legal film and there may be a chance that the glass gets scratched during the removal process.
One of the best places to start looking for a certified tint installer is by searching online. However, you will need to be somewhat discerning when using the internet to find a local installer. For instance, using a simple internet search might give you a number of options, but it could take you several hours to sift through them all. Furthermore, many listings may not have a lot of information. In addition, the information they do have may not be up to date as new tints or laws go into effect or as a shop changes its services. Professional tinting organizations offer trained installers, certified technicians, quality materials and often even a warranty on their work . Their websites will usually have a database of shops in your area.
For tint technicians, choosing somewhere that retains a high quality standard and provides good customer support might be even more important than searching for a low price. Many customers who choose only based on the price can be very demanding and critical, leading to a higher level of stress for those technicians. Additionally, since these experts are well-versed in legal window tint in Mississippi, they will know if a customer requests darker than allowed film. In this situation, a professional will politely educate their client about the legal standard while offering better options if necessary.
Some vehicle shops even offer installer certificates or show that they have the Equipment Certification and Training (ECT) Seal of Approval. This shows that their staff has been trained and their film has been approved to ensure maximum quality and lifespan. Another consideration is the warranty. Some window tint film comes with a lifetime warranty. A certification often ranges from 10-year to lifetime warranties. Whether or not a warranty and certification is available is something worth considering when comparing tint shops and specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mississippi Tint Laws
What’s the limit for windshield tint in Mississippi?
Both the medical and non-medical allowances for window tint on windshields in Mississippi is generally set around 30 percent on the front side windows and 30 on the rear side and rear windows. The tint band across the top of the windshield can typically contain a non-reflective band that goes down into the windshield area about five inches from the top. All other tint on the windshield would have to comply with the above-noted percentages.
What’s the front window tint limit in Mississippi?
The Mississippi tint law prohibits using a tint below 30 percent on the front windows of the passenger compartment. The rear window can be tinted in accordance with the law and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What’s the limit on back window tint in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the back windows and back side windows can be tinted with any darkness.
How much is a tint ticket in Mississippi?
If an individual is pulled over and the officer believes there to be a tint violation, the officer can issue the motorist a citation for the alleged crime. If Arkansas law enforcement issues a citizen a citation for a tint violation, the motorist will be subjected to a fine not exceeding $100.
Where can I find a certified Mississippi tint shop?
A certified window tinting shop in Mississippi is one that has been certified by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety as a certified installer. These installers have a know-how type certification showing that the tint installation they perform meets the state requirements for pass-through and light transmittance. At the present time, there is not a centralized website listing certified tint installers in Mississippi.
Recent Changes to the Law
There have been some recent changes to the tint laws in Mississippi. The new legislation went into effect on July 1st, 2016 and essentially lowers the allowable tint levels and also brings Mississippi more in line with most other states.
The new law specifically states that "the windshield must allow more than 70% of light in" along with the entire windshield being "non-reflective above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or the top six inches of the windshield." Previously, the law stated only that the windshield had to allow in more than 70% light in. The window tints approved for use will now have to have a sticker or label indicating that they are compliant with K35 and Kalvin Industries standards.
Except for a few exceptions, the law has no changes for tinted windows and back windows, as long as both colors and reflective nature are in compliance . The new law however, is specific about the "driver’s side mirror that is tinted on top only" being in compliance.
The most confusing and complete change in the law is the inclusion of the rear view side mirrors. The new law specifically states that "the side mirrors must be operational and installed" which is a change from the state’s original law as it refers to the "exterior mirrors." Prior to this law, a couple of manufacturers made an almost all dark tint with an exception of an area where the side mirrors were not tinted, allowing the driver to have a view. However, as the new law states that "the side mirrors must be operational and installed," it suggests that these "mostly tinted" windows may need to be adjusted.