Navigating Nevada’s Window Tint Regulations for Public Assistance Clients

Regulations are not always popular with the people subject to them, but they do exist for good reason. Anyone who owns or leases a vehicle should be aware of these rules as they can impact your day-to-day behavior. This is particularly true for clients of public assistance programs, who can suffer from periodic setbacks if they aren’t careful about staying in compliance with these laws.

You may find this to be especially true with window tinting, which involves applying a tinted film to windows on vehicles to decrease the amount of light that is able to enter into the cabin. In Nevada, there are strict laws that determine both how dark the tint should be overall and on each window, and violations can be costly. A standard that is commonly used is a five percent tint.

Whether or not is 5 percent tint legal in nevada is ultimately a question of definitions. In this case, 5 percent refers to the measurement of visible light that is able to pass through tinted windows. As defined by the state, the number means that only 5 percent – or one-twentieth – of visible light can pass through the tint and into the cabin of the car, truck, van or other vehicle.

Not only is this number below the minimum levels that violate state law, it is also too low for the tint manufacturer to label or sell the product for normal use. Unless this component is specially manufactured for individual use, it is not going to pass inspection by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Why does window tinting matter to public assistance program clients? Apart from violating state law on window tinting, being pulled over for illegal tint could bring unnecessary trouble for clients receiving support from the government. For example, tinted windows that are beyond the legal limit could potentially impair the driver to the extent that they are unable to maintain complete control over their vehicle. If pulled over, the driver is likely to be arrested and could face criminal consequences.

Tinting windows to a level that might impair their visibility is only one concern. Tinted windows can also prevent low-income users from being able to drive without incident and remaining safe while doing so. This is particularly true for small children, who are protected by booster and child seats in the family car. If a car crash occurs and a child is thrown into the window, there is a risk that its tint could cause injury. Tinted windows can also make it difficult to provide assistance to a person trapped inside a vehicle.

Commercial window tinting companies will often sell films called “5 percent tint,” but those materials have also been ruled illegal in the state of Nevada. In fact, due to the serious consequences hiding behind a commercial tint manufacturer’s recommendation, these films are often only sold for decorative purposes and are not intended for use on the windows of a car or other vehicle. If you need to have tint applied to windows on your car, consult the DMV or a commercial tinting service to ensure you are able to remain legal.

Fortunately, window tint that has a 35 percent tint limit or above is completely legal. This means that you should be able to obtain tint that is not only compliant with state law, but also enables you to block out the harmful rays of the sun and maintain safety all while preventing you from inadvertently being pulled over.

It is important that public assistance program clients are aware of the legal limit for window tinting before attempting to use such components. Failing to stay in compliance with state laws could not only result in vehicle impoundment at a costly rate, but could also lead to deaths or injuries by preventing the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

If you have any further questions regarding Nevada vehicle regulations, consult DMV resources or the legal professionals at Great. A failure to comply with tint limits can be catastrophic. Do your research and avoid making costly mistakes. For more information on vehicle regulations, you can visit Wikipedia.