Q: We frequently see heavily tinted windows on cars involved in crimes. What is Georgia law on that subject? Is the law different for out-of-state cars in Georgia? How is this enforced?
—Bob Perfetti, Johns Creek
A: Georgia law prohibits windshields from being tinted other than a small sunscreen at the top, but rear windows can be darker. A window must allow at least 32 percent of the light to transmit through the glass.
Tint is measured by how much light the window allows through, so patrolmen use a hand-held light meter that shoots a laser beam through the glass and measures how much light comes through to the other side.
Dark windows can pose a hazard to law enforcement officers who can’t see inside a vehicle as they approach, but also can impair a driver’s ability to see to his right and left, making it more difficult to see pedestrians, Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Michael Burns told Q&A on the News.
Georgia’s law differs from other states, and Georgia law once applied only to cars registered in the state, but that language was removed in 2005.
Florida requires that windows allow at least 28 percent transmission of light.
Illegal tint is a misdemeanor in Georgia, but cities and counties can have varying fines. An officer also can stop a motorist for a window tint violation, but can give only a warning.
Automobile owners can receive a medical exemption for needing tinting that’s dark than the legal limit.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Allison Floyd contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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