Finally pulled for window tint

[hot-rauder]

So I was on the way to the car dealer today for 2 reasons.... one to look at new cars, for fun;) and two, to finalize the info on my new job there:D

As I am headed down there, i see a cop car pulling out of a strip mall. I flash my lights to let him go.... he stays and waves me by. At this point I know I am getting pulled over. My friend in the passanger seat says dont worry. HA! Although i had both front windows down already, even before seeing him( i like to drive with the heat on and the windows down.... idk why but i do), I still feel like today is my day to talk to a LEO.

He follows for about a mile and then we hit a red light. I look in my passanger mirror and see him on the radio. He is running my plates. I tell my passanger, he's going to pull me ASAP, soshe reccomends pulling into the Plaza about 1/2 a mile away from the dealership i am headed to.... as soon as i get into the plaza entrance he lights me up.

Tests my windows..... 3.3% in a state where the limit is 35%.

thankfully did not check the windshield.....

Now, I bought the car in April. I have not changed anything but tailights on my car. ( removed s55 treatment). I got an insepction sticker with my windows, and was told they were 3%. This is the first timei have been pulled over in the MM.

Can i hold that insepctor responsible for my ticket.... or can i argue that i was not told to remove it.(even though common knowledge would say DUH!)

the ticket is for $250. If i remove the tint and then show the Clerk that it has been removed= no fine, no citation on record

if i pay the fine... do i still have the citation on record?

and i was quoted $225 for all new tint (includes removal of current tint). is this high or average?

[MM2004]

Pay to remove the tint, which is a good price, and re-tint the windows to 35% and not worry about it any longer.

The inspection sticker just confirms what the LEO tested the tint for. And validates his equipment is properly working.

Mike.

[Siege]

Now, I bought the car in April. I got an insepction sticker with my windows, and was told they were 3%. This is the first timei have been pulled over in the MM.

Can i hold that insepctor responsible for my ticket.... or can i argue that i was not told to remove it.(even though common knowledge would say DUH!)
The inspector did you a favor by passing your car with 3% tint and now you want to get him in trouble? How about you grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions? It's a cliche but if you wanna play you've gotta pay. If you want to drive around with obviously illegal tint then you're responsible for the consequences.

Either pay the $250 every time you get pulled over or have it replaced with legal tint.

[SILVERSURFER03]

sounds like you should move to a nicer state... or make more cops friends..as for the tint does'nt sound like a bad deal and you save 25.00 in the process..md is 35percent also mine happens to be 20 nock on wood i havent been stopped yet...

[Bluerauder]

How about you grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions?
+1 ^^^^ 6789

[MM03MOK]

I don't think there's anything on the MA inspection form for the tint, so I don't think the station could fail your inspection just because of tint. They were doing you a favour by telling you your windows weren't legal. That's a good price to have it removed and replaced.....I had a quote of $225 just to add new. The Shop I got an estimate from said because there's already some tint in the side and rear window's legally, they could only put on 49%, when added to the 85% of the windows, comes to 36%. Adding 35% tint would bring you down to 20%. This shop does do police cruisers too.

What about your windshield? That can't have any tint in MA except the top 6" so even though they didn't cite that specifically, don't give then another reason to pull you over again. "Just Do It."

IMHO

[KillJoy]

Pay your Fee and keep the Tint. Consider it a fee to look good :up:

OR

Cave to the MANY here who will tell you to do the "right" thing and re-tint.

KillJoy

PS - That is a good price to retint, assuming quality tint is used.

[jgc61sr2002]

I would change the tint to avoid futher problems.

[Rocknthehawk]

The inspector did you a favor by passing your car with 3% tint and now you want to get him in trouble? How about you grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions? It's a cliche but if you wanna play you've gotta pay. If you want to drive around with obviously illegal tint then you're responsible for the consequences.

Either pay the $250 every time you get pulled over or have it replaced with legal tint.



Maybe you missed the part where he said he bought the car with the tint on it.

People here need to loosen up. Seriously, he posted saying this is what happened, and here's his two choices. I don't see the part where he needs to "grow up"

[OneBADLsE]

Dude - get a "get out of jail free card" from your EYE doctor. Have him write you a note that says your eyes are sensitive to light.

[Taemian]

I would change the tint to avoid futher problems.

+1^^^. This is the most logical, and you already KNEW you were gonna have problems. Make sure the tint shop you mention has a good rep and a warranty, not just a cheap price.

[Peace2Peep]

GOOD TINT is your friend! If the quality of what you have makes you happy...pay the fine! A good job is worth paying for after all...or get your eyes checked for photosensitivity! The eye doctor will then write you a "Perscription" for window tint beyond normal limits.

[hot-rauder]

well.... i actually do have a light sensitivity to my skin due tio the medications i am on. so that may work. ill ask my dermatologist.

[hot-rauder]

The inspector did you a favor by passing your car with 3% tint and now you want to get him in trouble? How about you grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions? It's a cliche but if you wanna play you've gotta pay. If you want to drive around with obviously illegal tint then you're responsible for the consequences.

Either pay the $250 every time you get pulled over or have it replaced with legal tint.

Actually, i asked him for a rejected sticker.... idk how other states operate, but if your car does not pass for any reason, the dealer must fix it. with a rejected sticker i would have had the windows tinted to legal limits.

the inspector told me he was passing me. i DID complain. his boss yelled at him, but told me to just get my windows fixed. WRONG! he did me a disfavor by passing a car that was illegal.

i do enjoy the look of the tint. but if you have read previous posts of mine about it, i HATE the car at night. it is difficult to see, and during even daylight, if you have shades on, it is difficult to see.

funny though, i went to the police barracks today and got no answer on tint laws. they were oblivious. they had no clue what the limit was or if it was only for the front windows.... i was told that my car was OK by their measure.

[Egon Spengler]

I don't think there's anything on the MA inspection form for the tint, so I don't think the station could fail your inspection just because of tint. They were doing you a favour by telling you your windows weren't legal. That's a good price to have it removed and replaced.....I had a quote of $225 just to add new. The Shop I got an estimate from said because there's already some tint in the side and rear window's legally, they could only put on 49%, when added to the 85% of the windows, comes to 36%. Adding 35% tint would bring you down to 20%. This shop does do police cruisers too.

What about your windshield? That can't have any tint in MA except the top 6" so even though they didn't cite that specifically, don't give then another reason to pull you over again. "Just Do It."

IMHO
There is a section of the inspection form for tint... visibility... I am debating getting tint... would never go to 3%!!! Probably do 35% or a little darker

[hot-rauder]

There is a section of the inspection form for tint... visibility... I am debating getting tint... would never go to 3%!!! Probably do 35% or a little darker


Dont... it is hard to see out of at night... actually it is nearly impossible. and backing up is impossible without putting the windows down and lusing only your mirrors. also it may look cool, but i prefer my brothers MM with stock tint. His just seems kind of green though.

[KillJoy]

i HATE the car at night. it is difficult to see, and during even daylight, if you have shades on, it is difficult to see.

Then, why the hell is there any issue? Retint the damn Windows, and be done with it.

:rolleyes:

KillJoy

[freakstatus]

Yeah....3% is pretty damn dark. Limo tint is 5%.

[hot-rauder]

UPDATE:

State law says it is a primary offense to have tint too dark.
Applies to ALL windows.
Legal limit is 27% not the 35% everyone says it is.
Officer can charge $250 per window.


i will more than likely have the windows redone.... to be 27%.

[hot-rauder]

Then, why the hell is there any issue? Retint the damn Windows, and be done with it.

:rolleyes:

KillJoy


i got used to it... now i feel wierd driving another car without the tint at night.... i can see soo much!

[Hotrauder]

Have you met Motorhead? Just wondering. Dennis

[hot-rauder]

Have you met Motorhead? Just wondering. Dennis

I havent... does he do tints? Anything would help. Looks like removing it lill be a PITA... its a Dupont UV Film is what it says.

[Dragcity]

Have you met Motorhead? Just wondering. Dennis


Oh, You made me pee a little....

BWAHHHHHHHHA!

On a serious note, and I have stated this before, Why in the world do we want to give the police any reason to stop us?????

If I stop by Mom's and have beer, I certainly don't want tinted widows to help me get arrested. Heck, as I get older, I can't friggin see that well at night without tint. I gotta' keep my eyes peeled for all those people who like to run into red Maruaders.

Good luck wiht the outcome. Sorry to hear you got hauled over on your way to happy event....

[TiTo35]

Hot rauder if I read right you maybe working at a dealership? make friends with their guys and have them remove and re do your tint...You getting dealer quality and maybe cheaper.

As for what you should do bout the fine...your tint is illegal in every state...here in the DC area if you were from a state were lets say 20% was legal...riding in DC you are illegal! A buddy of mine had 5% on an Impala....35% on the windshield....:shake: people always thought he was the police til one day they made him take it off. Its a gamble, I had the boys stop me b/c I didnt have my tag placed on the front of the car...:depress:

[KillJoy]

here in the DC area if you were from a state were lets say 20% was legal...riding in DC you are illegal!

Really.... I would assume that if it is legal where you live, it would be leagal during travel.

:dunno:

KillJoy

[TiTo35]

Really.... I would assume that if it is legal where you live, it would be leagal during travel.

:dunno:

KillJoy

Nope and if I am not mistaken...VA, MD and DC have different %s...Thats just the police being bored.

[TiTo35]

Matter of fact I started a tint thread awhile back and a member gave me this link...

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Consumer_Info/auto_statelaws.html

[n00bkiller944]

Nope and if I am not mistaken...VA, MD and DC have different %s...Thats just the police being bored.

Yeah, which is totally crap considering some people pass through all of them every single day...

[Blackmobile]

This is why I have street legal tint in the rear window, so I'll never be told to take it off. The funny thing is, out of all my windows, that's the one that has to be changed because of peeling.

[MM2004]

Tint the damn windows 35% and not worry about it any longer.

Different states have different laws, and regardless where you are from, it is required to follow states laws as you travel thru said states.

This is a no-brainer.

If there's a brain involved.

Mike.

[freakstatus]

Incidentally, does anyone know if tint on the rear window affects your rear de-fog?

[larryo340]

Incidentally, does anyone know if tint on the rear window affects your rear de-fog?
My rear de-fog works fine with tint. :)

[ctrlraven]

Factory tint is 95% or 98%, with doing 35% it will bring it down to around 30%.

I have 35% tint film (which is the legal limit) but if I was to get tested I would fail because I already have the factory tinted glass.

Even with my "35%" I can sometimes have trouble seeing out my side mirrors when backing up or parking. Though I wish I had 20% I won't chance it

[hot-rauder]

Tint the damn windows 35% and not worry about it any longer.

Different states have different laws, and regardless where you are from, it is required to follow states laws as you travel thru said states.

This is a no-brainer.

If there's a brain involved.

Mike.



No i wont. I will tint my windows to my states limit and be happy with it.

As for your comment, i feel its uneeded and rude. I already posted saying that i was going to retint the damn windows so grow up....

:shake:

[Aren Jay]

Maybe I'm missing something but If you are allowed to have 35% tint and you have 3.3% tint, how can you get a ticket?

[shawn.criswell]

Maybe I'm missing something but If you are allowed to have 35% tint and you have 3.3% tint, how can you get a ticket?
You're probably thinking in the wrong affects of %. The lower the number,the darker the tint is.

[Marauderman]

shawn is correct ......and IMOP.............although not asked for............... I think anyone who has illegal tint deserves a ticket ...........illegal is the key work here......as said...some may have an Rx for it ...most all others do not..........most LEO's are hand on pistol grip more often in with those tints than not.........they are the ones YOU DO want to have them see you---not the other way around.......

[MM03MOK]

UPDATE:

State law says it is a primary offense to have tint too dark.
Applies to ALL windows.
Legal limit is 27% not the 35% everyone says it is.
Officer can charge $250 per window.


i will more than likely have the windows redone.... to be 27%.
Can you point me to the MA cite for this? Thanks.

Update: Here's the law

M.G.L. Ch. 90 Sect. 9D http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-9d.htm

(4) the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application which has a total visible light reflectance of not more than thirty-five per cent or a visible light transmittance of not less than thirty-five per cent on the side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

(5) the use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost 6″ along the top of the windshield, provided such strip does not encroach upon the driver’s direct forward viewing area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

(6) a vehicle registered in another state, territory or another country or province.

(8) special window treatment or application determined necessary by a licensed physician, for the protection of the owner or operator of a private passenger motor vehicle who is determined to be light or photosensitive. Applications for such exemption based upon such medical reason or reasons shall be made in writing to the medical advisory board established under section eight C. All applications must be supported by a written attestation of a physician licensed to practice in this commonwealth of the necessity thereof. Upon granting of such exemption by the board, the registrar shall issue a sufficiently noticeable sticker to the applicant which shall be affixed to the side window immediately adjacent to the operator. The registrar shall keep a record of all such exemption stickers so issued.

No person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale or trade, equip or operate a motor vehicle in the commonwealth in violation of the provisions of this section; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the manufacture or sale of reflective or nonreflective film in the commonwealth.

Violations of any provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars. Upon a third or subsequent conviction of a violation of the provisions of this section, the registrar shall suspend the operator’s license of a person so convicted for a period not to exceed ninety days.

In summary, 35% unless you have a licensed physicians letter submitted to the Registrar and a sticker is affixed to your operator side window. Also, whoever sold you the car is in violation of this provision. A car registered out of state is OK.

[knine]

shawn is correct ......and IMOP.............although not asked for............... I think anyone who has illegal tint deserves a ticket ...........illegal is the key work here......as said...some may have an Rx for it ...most all others do not..........most LEO's are hand on pistol grip more often in with those tints than not.........they are the ones YOU DO want to have them see you---not the other way around.......
Leo doing stops for 19 years here. I don't understand this law because here you cannot have the front sided tinted. When I approach a car, I cannot see the driver until I get to that window. If they want a law for "officer safety", which I agree with, then make non-tint on all windows. I cannot see thru a tinted rear window nor can I see the drivers head and upper body (shoulder) movements thru the back side but I could if they were not tinted.

[Bluerauder]

I still do not understand the tinted window craze. :rolleyes: Why would anyone want tint so dark that it reduces the visibility of the driver especially in low light, bad weather or nighttime conditions? Makes absolutely no sense to me.

Any doctor who writes a prescription for a non-existent condition or one for which he has not personally evaluated should be brought up before the AMA or the equivalent board for opthamologists and have his/her license pulled. JMO. >flame suit on< :flamer:

[jgc61sr2002]

I still do not understand the tinted window craze. :rolleyes: Why would anyone want tint so dark that it reduces the visibility of the driver especially in low light, bad weather or nighttime conditions? Makes absolutely no sense to me.

Any doctor who writes a prescription for a non-existent condition or one for which he has not personally evaluated should be brought up before the AMA or the equivalent board for opthamologists and have his/her license pulled. JMO. >flame suit on< :flamer:

I really don't think any MD would risk the loss of his/Her license and possibly facing criminal charges.

[shawn.criswell]

(6) a vehicle registered in another state, territory or another country or province.

A car registered out of state is OK.[/quote]


I other words; "travelling" from to state to state a LEO can not cite you for illegal tint (by their state vehicle code) except in the state in which you are registared. However; If you have out-of-state registration and "reside" in another state, you must abide by the state laws in which you reside. For example, myself, I have a TX DL and TX registration but I live in VA(military orders), I have to abide by the Virginia's vehicle codes, to include tint on the windows.:(

[hot-rauder]

Can you point me to the MA cite for this? Thanks.



In summary, 35% unless you have a licensed physicians letter submitted to the Registrar and a sticker is affixed to your operator side window. Also, whoever sold you the car is in violation of this provision. A car registered out of state is OK.


This came directly from the Leominster State Police... They said it is now 27% on windows.

[rayjay]

Leo doing stops for 19 years here. I don't understand this law because here you cannot have the front sided tinted. When I approach a car, I cannot see the driver until I get to that window. If they want a law for "officer safety", which I agree with, then make non-tint on all windows. I cannot see thru a tinted rear window nor can I see the drivers head and upper body (shoulder) movements thru the back side but I could if they were not tinted.

BIG +1, I hate tinted windows and I have a preconceived notion that there maybe criminal activity in a vehicle so equipped. The darker the tint, the more crooked the peeps.

[LordVader]

Do you have 3.3% tint on all your windows?? I'm still trying to figure out how he knew to look at your front windows if they were down? Did he pull you over for anything other than the windows?? I know when I bought mine in Oklahoma it had 17% all around, and when I went to get it inspected in Texas the inspection station (2) informed me they couldn't do the inspection until I brought it the front windows to 20%. I went to 38% just to be safe.

[JVJ]

The inspector did you a favor by passing your car with 3% tint and now you want to get him in trouble? How about you grow up and accept responsibility for your own actions? It's a cliche but if you wanna play you've gotta pay. If you want to drive around with obviously illegal tint then you're responsible for the consequences.

Either pay the $250 every time you get pulled over or have it replaced with legal tint.

That's sounds like a strong arument. But I must agree with you, if you wanna play, you've gotta pay!!!

[Blackmobile]

BIG +1, I hate tinted windows and I have a preconceived notion that there maybe criminal activity in a vehicle so equipped. The darker the tint, the more crooked the peeps.

Don't some LEO's drive around with tinted windows, of the darker kind?

[hot-rauder]

Do you have 3.3% tint on all your windows?? I'm still trying to figure out how he knew to look at your front windows if they were down? Did he pull you over for anything other than the windows?? I know when I bought mine in Oklahoma it had 17% all around, and when I went to get it inspected in Texas the inspection station (2) informed me they couldn't do the inspection until I brought it the front windows to 20%. I went to 38% just to be safe.

all of my windows are at 3.3% ... at least thats what i was told... it seems like the rear window is darker. Why the previous owner tinted my car out the much is beyond me... all i know is it was a funeral precession car and in NY Funeral cars can be tinted out unlimited.

i MA it is legal to pull a person over for having ANY window darker than the legal limit. also, if the officer feels fit, he can fine you up to $250 PER WINDOW... ya its rough.


windows will be retinted next week. idk if i will go as dark again. the car does look ultra sleek with the windows blacked, but i would rather the car look less noticable...


windows at 3.3%:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/PA270590r.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/65410010-2.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/65410006.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/DSCN2212.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/DSCN2214.jpg




mine is in the back... my brothers stock MM is in front. you can see the difference

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z302/blkmarauder/011-1.jpg

[Davesvt2000]

So which town cop pulled you over, Leominster or Fitchburg ?

Also, I'm surprised the SP barracks would have the wrong info on the tint laws..

You'll get a kick out of this thread:

http://www.newengland-motorsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29624

[rayjay]

Don't some LEO's drive around with tinted windows, of the darker kind?
No one that works for me. Tinted windows where I live are unnecessary.

[Aren Jay]

Leo doing stops for 19 years here. I don't understand this law because here you cannot have the front sided tinted. When I approach a car, I cannot see the driver until I get to that window. If they want a law for "officer safety", which I agree with, then make non-tint on all windows. I cannot see thru a tinted rear window nor can I see the drivers head and upper body (shoulder) movements thru the back side but I could if they were not tinted.


Unless they have a van.

In Calgary there is a no tint for the front three main windows. Unless tinted by the factory, like in our Marauders. Very slight tint.

I also do not like tinted windows, although in hot places I could see it being useful.

I do like the way VW Audi (which is VW....) do this by having a slide up and clip in screen. Again only for the back windows. Maybachs have curtains...

Limo's have a legitimate tint need and use, but limo's, even little ones, are special and have sealed compartments for alcohol use etc...