Law would again limit tint on vehicle windows

By NANCY BADERTSCHER | Wednesday, February 16, 2005, 12:33 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Georgia House passed legislation today that would reinstate the state ban on heavily tinted car windows and broaden the restrictions to cover out-of-state vehicles.

The vote was 125 to 33.

State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton), the bill’s chief sponsor, said the legislation will allow the state to bring back its tinting law, which the Georgia Supreme Court declared unconstitutional last June because it did not apply to out-of-state motorists.

State Rep. David Lucas (D-Macon) questioned how the state can impose guidelines on motorists from other states. He announced plans to ask the House on Monday to reconsider its vote.

The bill maintains the 32 percent visibility standard that had been required under a 1990 state law. It applies to all windows and windshields of most passenger vehicles and the front windshield and front windows of all multipurpose vehicles, including sport utility vehicles, minivans and extended cab trucks, Hill said.

Motorists caught violating the law may be ticketed and would face the standard misdemeanor maximum punishment of a $1,000 fine and up to 12 months in prison.

The legislation also allows law enforcement agencies to use tint meters to determine compliance. In the past they had to depend on a sticker that was on the vehicle and could be subject to fraud, Hill said.

Trooper Larry Schnall, a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol, said the bill is “all about officer safety.�

Approaching a vehicle in the daytime hours with dark windows can be very scary for an officer and it's even worse at night, Schnall said. They could be shot and never see it coming.<-- Is that so bad.

I know a lot of people here went out and got darker tint a few months after that law got thrown out. Hope you don't get busted now. Cobb Police has pulled me over 3 times for tint alone.

I'm glad I still got my tint exemption form. I'm covered for 5 yrs!

The bill maintains the 32 percent visibility standard that had been required under a 1990 state law.
Damn! That sux heard it on the radio today. :( Oh well, I guess it's 35% for me very soon... Maybe I'll wait and see what happens, I currently have 20% all around. :(

damn i knew this would happen sooner or later, now i will be harassed like fresh meat in prison.

I on the other hand, having 95% tint will successfully avoid all darkness issues. Now to worry about the Euro tag.. :shifty

Dammit.

What's wrong with a euro tag?

Fok! i hate atlanta and their fucking cops!!

I'm glad I still got my tint exemption form. I'm covered for 5 yrs!

Tint exemption form?

I may consider going to my doctor and getting a form stating that it is medically necessary for my tint to be as dark as it is.

What's wrong with a euro tag?

he drives around with euro tags in front and back.

FLA tags baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good! :D

(Although I agree it is kinda sh*tty that they changed the law and then changed it back not much later. Fools need to make up their minds)

damn.. I 'was' getting tint this weekend.. Well that ruins the 20% plan... Unless someone can recommend me a place that will do it regardless.. 32% is weak...

damn.. I 'was' getting tint this weekend.. Well that ruins the 20% plan... Unless someone can recommend me a place that will do it regardless.. 32% is weak...
Go see Bridgette at Hot Spot Tinting in Marietta, 770-988-8831 or cell, 678-313-0003. Tell her Sebastian sent 'ya.. :cool She did mine at 20%, no receipt of course, legal issues.. :devillook

EDIT: BTW, she has tinted all my cars (and wife's), in the past and whatever %age I wanted.

how the hell are they going to enforce it on out of state cars?

how the hell are they going to enforce it on out of state cars?
if enough tickets pile up they can suspend your right to drive in the state of georgia :dunno

if enough tickets pile up they can suspend your right to drive in the state of georgia :dunno

that would be awesome . . .///MZG: Banned from Georgia.

that would be awesome . . .///MZG: Banned from Georgia.
that'll probably happen to me when all this court crap is settled. I went to court again today and another continuance! The stupid solicitor is not returning my lawyer's calls so we cant reach any sort of agreements so it'll probably keep getting continued for a while...

The old law, in case anyone is really bored and wants to read it. Frankly, I don't see how the new one is any different:

§ 40-8-73.1.**Affixing of materials which reduce light transmission through windows or windshields


***(a)*As used in this Code section, the term:

***(1)*"Light reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by a product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

***(2)*"Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, which is allowed to pass through a surface to the amount of light falling on the surface.

***(3)*"Manufacturer" means a person who produces or assembles a vehicle glass-coating material or who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety-glazing material, which material reduces light transmission.

***(4)*"Material" means any transparent product or substance which reduces light transmission.

***(5)*"Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle designed to carry ten persons or less which is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(b)*Except as provided in this Code section, from and after January 1, 1990, it shall be unlawful for any resident person to operate a motor vehicle in this state:

***(1)*Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the front windshield, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield; or

***(2)*Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the rear windshield or the side or door windows, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield or window to less than 32 percent or increase light reflectance to more than 20 percent.

(c)*The provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section shall not apply to:

***(1)*Adjustable sun visors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass;

***(2)*Signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver;

***(3)*Direction, destination, or termination signs upon a passenger common carrier motor vehicle if the signs do not interfere with the driver's clear view of approaching traffic;

***(4)*Any transparent item which is not red or amber in color which is placed on the uppermost six inches of the windshield;

***(5)*Any federal, state, or local sticker or certificate which is required by law to be placed on any windshield or window;

***(6)*The rear windshield or the side or door windows, except those windows to the right and left of the driver of:

******(A)*A multipurpose passenger vehicle;

******(B)*A school bus, any other bus used for public transportation, and any bus or van owned or leased by any religious or any nonprofit organization duly incorporated under the laws of this state;

******(C)*Any limousine owned or leased by a public or private entity; or

******(D)*Any other vehicle, the windows or windshields of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery or permitted by federal law or regulation;

***(7)*Any motor vehicle not registered in this state; or

***(8)*Any law enforcement vehicle.

(d)*The Department of Motor Vehicle Safety may, upon application from a person required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun and only if such application is supported by written attestation of such fact from a person licensed to practice medicine under Chapter 34 of Title 43, issue an exemption from the provisions of this Code section for any motor vehicle owned by such person or in which such person is a habitual passenger. The exemption shall be issued with such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

(e)*From and after January 1, 1990, each manufacturer of material designed to be affixed or applied to the windows or windshields of a motor vehicle shall, before shipping such material into this state, apply to the commissioner of public safety for approval and registration of its material and the label for identification and certification of compliance. No material shall be approved by the commissioner unless the manufacturer demonstrates that such material, when applied or affixed to a window, shall not reduce light transmission or increase light reflectance in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section. The manufacturer of any material shipped into this state on or after January 1, 1990, shall provide labels of a size and type approved by the commissioner, written instructions for the placement of such labels, and a notice that the improper installation of material to a window or windshield or the failure to display a label as provided in this subsection is a violation of state law. It shall be unlawful for any person to alter or reproduce any label approved by the commissioner or to knowingly use any approved label except as authorized by this Code section.

(f)*From and after January 1, 1990, any motor vehicle which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the windows or rear windshield of such vehicle, which material and glazing have reduced the light transmission through such window or windshield or increased the light reflectance of such window or windshield, shall display a label visible from the outside of such vehicle indicating that such windows and windshield are in compliance with the light transmission and light reflectance requirements as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. From and after January 1, 1990, no person shall install any material upon the windshields or windows of any motor vehicle, the installation of which would result in a reduction of light transmission or an increase in light reflectance in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section.

(g)*The Department of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section.

(h)*Any person who violates subsection (b), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

In fact, the new bill seems ot be a verbatim repeat of the old, with exception of the language about exempting out of state registered vehicle. :confused

House Bill 20:
?40-8-73.1.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Light reflectance' means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by a product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

(2) 'Light transmission' means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, which is allowed to pass through a surface to the amount of light falling on the surface.

(3) 'Manufacturer' means a person who produces or assembles a vehicle glass-coating material or who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety-glazing material, which material reduces light transmission.

(4) 'Material' means any transparent product or substance which reduces light transmission.

(5) 'Multipurpose passenger vehicle' means a motor vehicle designed to carry ten persons or less which is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(b) Except as provided in this Code section, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in this state:

(1) Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the front windshield, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield; or

(2) Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the rear windshield or the side or door windows, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield or window to less than 32 percent, plus or minus 3 percent, or increase light reflectance to more than 20 percent.

(c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section shall not apply to:

(1) Adjustable sun visors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass;

(2) Signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver;

(3) Direction, destination, or termination signs upon a passenger common carrier motor vehicle if the signs do not interfere with the drive?s clear view of approaching traffic;

(4) Any transparent item which is not red or amber in color which is placed on the uppermost six inches of the windshield;

(5) Any federal, state, or local sticker or certificate which is required by law to be placed on any windshield or window;

(6) The rear windshield or the side or door windows, except those windows to the right and left of the driver of:

(A) A multipurpose passenger vehicle;

(B) A school bus, any other bus used for public transportation, and any bus or van owned or leased by any religious or any nonprofit organization duly incorporated under the laws of this state;

(C) Any limousine owned or leased by a public or private entity; or

(D) Any other vehicle, the windows or windshields of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery or permitted by federal law or regulation; or

(7) Any law enforcement vehicle.

(d) The Department of Motor Vehicle Safety may, upon application from a person required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun and only if such application is supported by written attestation of such fact from a person licensed to practice medicine under Chapter 34 of Title 43, issue an exemption from the provisions of this Code section for any motor vehicle owned by such person or in which such person is a habitual passenger. The exemption shall be issued with such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

(e) No person shall install any material upon the windshields or windows of any motor vehicle, the installation of which would result in a reduction of light transmission or an increase in light reflectance in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section.

(f) The Department of Motor Vehicle Safety is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section.

(g) Any person who violates subsection (b) or (e) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.?

SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

It still has to pass senate before it is revived. I'm sure it will, but there is always that slim chance.

(8)*Any law enforcement vehicle.

hahaha, the cops can have all they like. The bastards. :thumbdown

also, as I read it, you guys just need to register your cars as limos. :biglaughb

also, as I read it, you guys just need to register your cars as limos. :biglaughb

May not work for all the E36 coupe guys here, but I think the E34 may pass.


(PS: 200)

FLA tags baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hear that won't save you anymore. Those doughnut munchers will ticket anyone regardless of what state they're from now.

I hear that won't save you anymore. Those doughnut munchers will ticket anyone regardless of what state they're from now.

So like what? People from Fla with tints just aren't allowed to drive into georgia? Or they have to remove the tint prior to driving into Ga? There's no way that this is going to stick for long. This is ridiculous.

well, atleast thats more money for other things.....

cant you just roll down your windows when a cop drives by???

I may consider going to my doctor and getting a form stating that it is medically necessary for my tint to be as dark as it is.

I've done that in CT. The medical term is aversion to light.