There are many questions that the Maryland State Police receive about window tint on vehicles. The Automotive Safety Enforcement Division(ASED) of the Maryland State Police have put together some information about window tint that should answer most questions about the topic.
Window Tinting Regulations for vehicles registered in the State of Maryland
The State of Maryland regulates post manufacture window tint film on all motor vehicles registered in the State. This regulation is set forth in both the Maryland Transportation Article (Title 22 section 406), and the Inspection process for vehicles being registered in Maryland (COMAR Title 11 subtitle 14). These regulations state that windows can have post manufacture window tint film added to allow 35% light transmittance (amount of light going through glass),and indicates the types of vehicles and the locations that tint is permitted. All vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States come from the factory with some window tinting already in the regulated windows. Most of the regulated glass on vehicles allow between 70-75% light transmittance. Therefore, to meet the State requirement of 35% light transmittance you would need to apply 50% post manufacture window tint film.
Passenger cars: (2dr, 4dr, station wagons) All windows on these vehicles are regulated and have to meet the 35% light transmittance requirement. The brake light in the back windowcannot be covered by tint.
Trucks, Vans, SUVs: The only windows regulated on these type of vehicles are the windows immediately left and right of driver. These two windows are the only ones that have to meet the 35% light transmittance requirement.
Windshields: Post manufacture window film can not be placed on the front windshield below the AS1 mark or 5 inches down horizontally from the top of the windshield whichever is less.
Colors of Tint: COMAR (11.14.02.14.D.1) Prohibits red, yellow, amber and reflective(mirrored) post manufacture window tint film.
Medical Waiver: Maryland Transportation Article, Title 22 Section 406 allows for an exemption to the 35% light transmittance requirement. This exemption applies to the regulated windows of all vehicles, you still cannot tint the windshield below AS1 mark or 5 inches from top. The requirements to meet the medical waiver are: (22-406-i-4-i) A person who must be protected from the sun for medical reasons is exempt from the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection if the owner has, in the vehicle at the time the vehicle is stopped by a police officer, a written certification that details the owner’s medical need for tinted windows, from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State.
Limousines: No post manufacture window tint film is allowed on windshield and immediate left and right of driver.
Commercial Vehicles: (dump trucks, over road tractors, tow trucks, CMV over 10,001lbs) Per CFR 393.60 C 1, indicates that no commercial vehicle can have post manufacture window tint film on the windshield and immediate left and right of driver that reduces the light transmittance below 70%.
Certifying a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) for window tint.
If you receive a SERO for window tint you will need to go to an authorized Maryland inspection station to have it certified. Police officers are not allowed to certify any SERO for window tint. Even if you remove the tint it will have to be certified/signed by a Maryland inspection station.
If you receive a SERO for window tint and you have the medical documentation for the waiver you will need to respond to the Maryland State Police – Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED) to have the SERO certified.
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So, police cars are either not registered or all cops have a medical waiver? I mean, they are all at about 10%, if that.
ReplyDeleteIf it's for safety reasons, police cars shouldn't be a dark as they are.
ReplyDelete@7:26 Their vehicles are exempt from certain codes I'm sure in the interest of law enforcement. But if you have a keen eye you should be able to spot the undercover's regardless of their tint ;)
ReplyDelete818 tell me what to look for?
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot, 8:18. TWO sets of laws!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wonder how hard it is for police to see people in OC crossing the road at a lighted crosswalk at 1:10 in the morning...
Must be the window tint for safety reasons.
It seems police are always exempt from everything - talking on phones, texting, tint, etc.etc. If it is not safe for the public then it is not safe for them either. I don't care how much training they have had - follow the rules like everyone else has to do.
ReplyDeleteThe windshield is not tinted Libatrd !!! So what they tint the windows big deal. They are in the car 8-12 hours a day. Unless you drive for a living or have a medical reason get a clue.
ReplyDeleteSo I should be able to tint the windows on my tractor trailer? Right since I drive for a living and spend all day driving? Doesn't matter if the windshield is tinted with 5 percent tint on your side glass it's basically like having blinders on in the dark.
DeleteI do what I want.
ReplyDeleteMSP is a do as you are told and don't worry about what we do group of a-holes! Their cars are tinted well beyond legal limits but because out elected officials decided to exempt them from the laws they FORCE down our throats they can do what they want. I have tinted windows and will keep them until they force me to remove the tint although mine are not as dark as many other cars on Maryland roads with Maryland tags. You can come up with excuses why the police cars have tinted windows but there is NO REASON for them to have tinted windows at all. As my eye doctor told me, if you claim its to protect your eyes then we'll get you sunglasses! Their vision is no better than any other citizen behind the wheel so please explain why they need tinted windows and the average citizen is prohibited from the same treatment? While on the subject the same goes for the use of cell phones no matter what anyone claims a cop on a cell phone is just as bad as any other person on a cell phone and trying to drive! Put the police on a pedestal all you want truth of the matter is they are human too and make the same mistakes as every other human out there!
ReplyDeleteAll of this said if the general public cannot do these things then it's high time the police be held at the same standards as the general public and to the same LAWS they force down our throats!