Oklahoma Window Tint Law in Brief
Oklahoma doesn’t limit the use of window tint on the front windshield, but tinted film cannot extend more than four inches down from the top of the windshield.
For passenger cars, vans and SUVs, the front driver’s and passenger’s side windows can have a window tint that allows 35% or more of light in. In trucks that are not 10,000 lbs. or heavier, the window tint on front driver’s and passenger’s side windows can allow 25% or more of light in. On these vehicles, tinted film on the side windows and the rear windows can have no restrictions as to visible light transmission percentages.
The use of tinted windows on vehicles is becoming more popular , and tinting professionals advertise many options for legal window tinting. However, before deciding how dark or reflective to have the rear passenger windows tinted, check regulations in your state. In addition to the regulations governing permissible levels of tint on various windows, some states impose restrictions on the reflectivity of window tint.
Penalty: In Oklahoma, the owner of a vehicle who knowingly operates the vehicle with window tint that does not comply with safe and legal window tinting is guilty of a misdemeanor. The maximum fine is $100. Oklahoma has yet to enact a provision that mandates a minimum fine for operating a vehicle with window tint that does not comply with law.
Purpose and Advantages of Window Tinting
The purposes and benefits of window tinting are numerous and significant. Oklahoma drivers may consider window tinting their vehicles for several reasons, including, but not limited to: heat reduction, skin protection, privacy considerations and aesthetics.
Heat – Window tinting can help protect a vehicle’s interior from excessive heat. Especially in the Southern United States, as every driver knows during those hot summer months, the sun can quickly cause spots on the vehicle’s internal surfaces (dash board, steering wheel, and seats) to reach temperatures that are uncomfortable and sometimes can be a hazard to persons (especially children) in the vehicle.
Skin Protection – Heat related to sunlight is not limited to the vehicle’s surfaces or even the exterior of the vehicle. Prolonged exposure to UVA (370 nm – 320 nm) and UVB (320 nm – 290 nm) rays can cause premature aging, skin rashes and skin cancer. Even though current sensors cannot detect UVC produced by the sun, nor does it penetrate the ozone or other atmospheric conditions, it is still of concern.
Privacy – Tinted windows provide additional privacy to the driver and passengers. Some vehicle manufacturers include tinted windows as an option, however, most Oklahomans will purchase tinting and apply it aftermarket. Privacy is also one of the many reasons for tinted windows in Oklahoma. However, certain restrictions apply to the tint darkness.
Aesthetics – Finally, window tinting is just a great way to make your vehicle look better! Wearing sunglasses and hats to keep the sun out of your eyes while driving is not always satisfactory. Window tinting provides greater visual comfort, which is especially true for frequent drivers. Additionally, if a tinted window becomes scratched or damaged, it is relatively inexpensive to replace as compared to replacing a damaged windshield or even the cost to replace a standard OEM (original equipment manufacturer) window.
Legal Window Tint Percentages and Fines
Oklahoma law sets specific requirements for window tints on automobiles. Oklahoma law allows drivers to tint their windows, but the tinted film must comply with the rules set by the state and be installed according to those requirements.
The legal tint limits for front and rear windshields are as follows:
Permissible tint levels
- Front windshield: bands above the AS-1 line or above the manufacturer’s shade mark, if the vehicle has one. No other tint is permitted on the front windshield.
- Front side windows: 25% VLT (minimum 25% "visible light transmission")
- Rear windows: No restrictions as to tint.
- Backside windows: No restrictions as to tint.
- Rear window: No restrictions as to tint.
Penalties for non-compliance
A law enforcement officer may issue you a citation upon determining that your vehicle’s tinted windows does not comply with the law. Penalties for violating the vehicle window tint law in Oklahoma include:
– First offense: fine of $50
– Second or subsequent offense: fine such amount as prescribed by the district attorney, district attorney’s designee, or municipal court clerk and ranging from $100 to not more than $500.
Beyond the fines set forth in this subsection, a person convicted of manipulating or altering the glazing on his or her own or another person’s vehicle may be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten (10) days.
Prohibited Tints and Exceptions to the Law
Like with other laws, there are some exception and exemptions to the window tint regulations in Oklahoma. Any vehicle that is registered with a glazing requirement is subject to the laws and any after-market tinting. However, vehicles that are registered and marked by the US government do not have to meet the visible light transmission standards. These vehicles are usually assigned and then marked in a way that everyone knows they belong to the US government.
There are also medical exceptions to the window tint rules in Oklahoma. If you or someone in your immediate family has a medical condition that would require you to have darker window tints, then you can apply for an exception from the law . In fact, any dark tint you want might be legal for you, but you have to have it documented via a doctor’s note or something similar. To officially obtain an exemption for darker tints, the person who is tinting your windows must send an affidavit to the Department of Public Safety from the physician who recommends that you have tint on your windshield and windows. Your doctor will have to explain that the tint will assist in your treatment for a medical condition. They should also place the sticker or notice on the driver’s side window. If you have received a permit like this, it is only valid for the length of time specified by the Physician.
How to Select the Appropriate Tint
Choosing the Right Tint
As the saying goes, "knowledge is power." That’s why it’s important for vehicle owners to research tinting laws in their respective states and choose a tint provider that understands the law and can help select the right tint. To help you to select the right tint, we’ve compiled the following information for you. Oklahoma law states that the front windshield must have a minimum 25% visible light transmittance, defined as "the percentage of total visible light that passes through the tinted window film." Side windows in the rear of the driver shall be tinted to 35% VLT, but the law does not apply to the front windows of the driver or passenger, as long as the rear windows have at least 25% VLT. The back window of SUVs and vans must have a certain percentage of tint, as referenced above. According to the law, tint that has a visible light transmittance of 25% protects from the sun and filters UV rays from 28% to 50% of radiation. Back windows on SUVs and vans are often tinted darker than the law requires and is generally legal as long as the front windows are clear, although women who are pregnant and have been ordered by their doctors to avoid the sun, or those with medical conditions that require them to reduce sun exposure, are permitted to tint their front windows. The law prohibits tint on windshields, but some tint shops offer visible light transmittance tapes for the front windshield. While these tapes do not contain adhesives and do not obstruct your view, they reduce glare and the amount of visible light present when the sun is at its most intense. When you’re ready to select the right tint for your vehicle, it is important to choose a well-established tint shop with knowledgeable employees and high-quality tint products that comply with Oklahoma law.
Oklahoma Tint FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Oklahoma Window Tint Laws
Q: What is window tint?
A: Window tint, or window film, is a thin laminate film that can be installed on domestic and commercial glass windows after they have been manufactured. The tint is glued to the car’s window glass via a strong adhesive, and is suitable for installation when the glass is completely dry.
Q: How can window tint benefit my vehicle?
A: The most crucial reason to tint your vehicle’s glass is to prevent increased sun exposure. Whether you drive in Arizona or Oklahoma, the elements take their toll on your skin. Woken up groggy and tired after a long day at work, you might drive your kids to school. But with younger children, you want to get them to school without the ill effects of exposure to the rays of that hot Oklahoma sun. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light has adverse effects on health; it causes eye damage and skin cancer.
Q: What is the darker tint I see on some vehicles?
A: This is called "limo tint," and is available in shades that range from five to twenty-five percent (meaning that it blocks 95 to 75 percent of available light). The legal limit for limos tint in Oklahoma is fifteen percent. However, this type of tint has to be done by hand, and requires expensive manufacturing to make. This is typically why it costs so much more than standard home privacy tinting film, which can be installed as-is.
Q: What are window tint laws in Oklahoma?
A: Excessive tinting of windows impairs vision and can affect safety . Windshields permit a minimum of 25-to-30% visible light transmittance in Oklahoma. The windshield allows a total non-reflective tint above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line on the windshield or top four inches. All other windows must also allow a minimum of 25% visible light transmittance. The reflectivity cannot be mirrored or highly reflective, and total reflection cannot exceed 20%. The rear and back windows can have no light transmittance requirements (with the exception of a small clear dot out on each side mirror). At no time should the vehicle be pulled up next to another, while the windows are darkly tinted and cause the driver of the other vehicle to presume they have tinted windows as well. This is when an officer stops the vehicle to inform the violator of window tint laws. Oklahoma state law requires that the windows of a motorized vehicle not be tinted below 25%, and that dual-tint, often used on side windows, in back and rear is thirty-five percent.
Q: How do I install window tint?
A: The first step is to measure the glass area on each window, and then order enough window tint to cover each of the areas on which you’ve determined the tint should be placed. After you order the tint, lay the tint on the window, and cut it to length of the window. You can use a utility knife to cut the tint; be sure you’re wearing gloves and don’t touch the adhesive surface. The adhesive surface is important and should not be touched so that it will adhere properly.