A Primer on South Carolina Tint Laws
The legal guidelines for tinted windows on vehicles in South Carolina remain fairly simple: Window tint darkness is measured by the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the film and all window tint manufacturers make these filters available for sale to the public based on LWSO values.
And, under SC Tint Laws, the VLT % must be as follows:
Front windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed across the top of the windshield above the AS-1 line which will generally match the top of the manufacturer’s glass line or AS-1 line, an area about 4 inches wide, extending from the driver’s side to the passenger’s side of the windshield. No tint can be below the AS-1 line.
Front windows: Must have a visible light transmission of thirty-five percent (35%), or more, and the reflectivity of any tint must not be more than twenty percent (20%). And, the tint cannot be red, yellow or amber.
Back windows: Must have a visible light transmission of sixteen percent (16%) or more, and any reflectivity is allowed.
Rear window: Must have a visible light transmission of twelve percent (12%) or more and any reflectivity is allowed.
As you can see, the SC VLT % limits vary from front to back of the vehicle, and it is illegal in South Carolina to have any tinting at all on the windshield below the AS-1 line regardless of the VLT % of the tinting.
There are some updates to the tint laws, if you will. Since 2010, all installers of window film must be certified by SC to tint vehicles according to the law. Further changes to the window tint law may occur in 2012 , as the SC legislation enacts new provisions allowing reflective tint on the front windows of multipurpose vehicles, trucks, vans, and SUV’s.
Also, beginning July 1, 2013, a vehicle equipped with window tinting material placed on or after the effective date of those provisions must have a sticker affixed to the window, indicating that the film is registered with the department of motor vehicles as conforming to state law.
The sticker must be a "State Approved Sticker," which has two elements: The sticker includes the words "State Approved" and, the sticker includes the sticker number or barcode affixed to the window film. You must be able to see the word "State Approved" and sticker number or bar code with the naked eye at a distance of twelve (12) inches from the window film. The sticker may be located in the lower corner of the window on the driver’s side or passenger’s side or at a location identified by the manufacturer of the window film.
Other approved stickers by the SC DMV include Medical Exemption Stickers issued in South Carolina for qualifying medical exemptions allowing darker window tinting than the state normally allows. If a doctor or optometrist deems that a patient needs medical tinted vehicle windows, then the physician must fill out a form approved by the SC DMV. The property owner or driver can take this completed form to their local DMV and apply for a Medical Exemption Sticker.
Once the Medical Exemption Sticker is issued, the individual qualifies for darker window tinting on their vehicles’ windows, and will no longer be cited by the law enforcement officers for illegal tinting.
Visible Light Transmission and Tint Percentages
A vehicle’s windows can be tinted to a certain degree in South Carolina, which is referred to as the tint percentage. This denotes the amount of light entering the car, truck or motorcycle, and can vary based on the window and its purpose.
When dealing with the front windshield, no tint above the AS-1 line, which is located 5 inches from the top of the glass, is permitted. Most tint shops will put a strip of tint along this line to help the driver stay in compliance. The front side windows are allowed any percentage of tint that is less than 27 percent. This means that at least 27 percent of the available light must be able to pass through the film and the window. For the rear side windows and rear window, any tint percentage can be used in South Carolina. The only exceptions here are the pickup trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and buses that have windows manufactured so that the percentage cannot be determined.
Visible light transmission (VLT) is the measurement of light through a window film expressed as a percentage as compared to visible light through clear glass. Window tint patterns are usually labeled as to the VLT percentage, so measuring the film at the shop is essential to determine the exact VLT.
Permitted Exceptions to Tint Law Requirements
There are certain exemptions to the legal tint laws in South Carolina. The most common one is a medical exemption, which allows individuals with specific medical conditions to have a darker tint on their vehicle windows.
Medical exemptions are granted to those individuals who have a medical need that requires them to drive in a car with a dark tint. Examples of these medical needs may include but are not limited to: Those who suffer from chronic sun exposure; those who have had skin cancer; those who have had cataracts removed; and those with certain connective tissue disorders. This exemption will be in the form of a sticker that must be placed on the lower corner of the windshield. The sticker will have the certificate number and color that will match the certificate issued, and will also display the expiration date. Exemptions based on medical necessity remain valid as long as the medical condition remains; therefore, there must be an annual renewal to continue using this exemption.
While having a medical exemption allows you an exception to the tint laws, even with this certificate in hand, the tint cannot be darker than 27% VLT. The only time you are allowed a tint darker than 27% is if your exemption states you have a light-sensitive condition, such as albinism, which is a defect of pigmentation that can make a person feel uncomfortable, or even painful, being exposed to the sun. This is more common in children with light ends, also known as extreme albinism. Even if you have a certificate to allow this exception, regardless of the darkness of tint on a person’s vehicle, the front windshield on any car, SUV, van, or truck must allow at least 27% of visible light to pass through. Both the front windshield and front driver’s window cannot be tinted darker than 27% VLT.
Again, regardless of whether you have this medical exemption or not, the legal tint laws of South Carolina must always be considered. If you believe you have a condition that qualifies for an exemption, you must contact the South Carolina Department of Revenue and apply for an application for a certificate of exemption. There is an application fee, and once your application is approved, you will be sent a certificate that should be displayed on your vehicle as required by law.
Penalties for Non-Compliance with the Tint Laws
While the tint laws in South Carolina are fairly straightforward, penalties and fines for non-compliance can be quite costly for those who do not adhere to the state’s rules. The law provides penalties which range from fines, incident points on your driving record and a potential suspension of your driver’s license. Passing a car with illegal tint in South Carolina can result in a fine (a no-point ticket) ranging from $25 to $200 for a first offense, or up to $500 for subsequent violations. However , the fines and monetary penalties for violating the tint laws do not stop there. Subsequent tint violations may result in additional violations and a minimum fine of $200. The maximum fine and punishment following the second offense of tint law violations result in a $500 fine and three points assessed against the responsible driver’s incident points, as well as a potential 90-day suspension of the driver’s license.
South Carolina has very strict tint law regulations that all motorists must follow. Failure to do so can result in substantial penalties.
Selecting the Proper Tint for Your Vehicle’s Windows
When it comes to selecting the right tint for your car in South Carolina, the choices can seem overwhelming, especially given the stringent legal limits. The good news is that you can choose a legal tint for your vehicle that also adds to the overall aesthetic and comfort of your driving experience.
The first step in choosing the right tint is to decide how much light you’d prefer to filter while driving. In South Carolina, the legal limit on the front windows is 27 percent VLT, and on the back windows, it’s 27 percent as well. You can choose window tint that’s darker than that, but doing so on the front windows will put you in a legal gray area, so keep that in mind when making your choice.
The percent of light that the tint allows inside the car is called the tint’s visible light transmission, or VLT. For example, if your selected tint has a VLT of 35 percent, that means that the tint allows 35 percent of the visible light inside your vehicle. The lower the number, the higher the tint, and the darker your windows will appear.
If you’re looking for protection from the sun’s UV rays, you’ll want to dig a little deeper to make sure your tint does the trick. Window film comes with a rating that states its ability to block out UV rays, which is measured in the zero to 1,000 degrees range. Tints that offer blocking power of more than 400 degrees are optimal because that’s around the point at which the risk of skin cancer dramatically increases. A tinted window that doesn’t carry at least a rating of 400 degrees still allows for some blockage of UV rays, but it’s not truly protective.
Think about the tint that goes on your rear windows, as you might want one that keeps excess heat out and protects your upholstery and sensitive electronics. For these windows, look out for infrared rejection. The infrared rejection is measured in percentage as well, and you’ll want around 50 to 60 percent rejection for optimal results.
Finally, tinted windows can get prohibitively hot, depending on where you live and the tint you choose. Many contain metal that adds to the overall temperature effect, which is typically an unappealing attribute. However, some tint options, such as hybrid tint, contains no metal and still delivers a highly attractive solution. Hybrid tint is a combination of dyed and metalized film, and it’s not only effective, but it doesn’t affect radio or cell phone signals.
Common Tint Laws Questions and Answers
Q: Can I have my front windows tinted and keep my vehicle up to code?
A: If your factory tint is #15 or darker, you must purchase a medical exemption in order to re-tint the front windows. If your factory tint is #35 or lighter, you can legally have the front windows tinted with a darker shade.
Q: How do I get a medical exemption?
A: This must be dealt with at the DMV. You must start by having your doctor fill out the required paperwork. The type of medical condition that will get you an exemption is one that causes light sensitivity. Skin conditions such as sun burn or cancer are not within the scope of reasoning that they allow.
Q: The tint looks darker on my rear windows than the front. Why is that?
A: Yes, the shade of tint looks different on the rear because your car has factory tint on the front windows. In South Carolina, the tint on your vehicle is only legal if it has at least 27% of visible light transmission.
Q: How much light can come through my color window film?
A: Color is not allowed to be put on the front windows , but the back windows, side windows, and even the windshield is allowed to have color, provided that it meets the light transmission requirements.
Q: I have a darker shade on my rear windows, do I have to remove it?
A: If you can prove that this after market tint was installed before the tint laws took effect, you can receive a waiver from the judge, or the officer might just look the other way. However, it is easier to get a waiver for the front window.
Q: The officer did not send my tint to the lab. Answers?
A: Most police officers create the tint right there on the spot. They will often use a digital meter to measure the tint. If they determine that your tint is too dark, they often charge you with an on-site notice, which has the option to go to court or pay a fine.
Q: If I remove the tint from my window, will it be good as new?
A: Most likely the tint will not be able to be reused. It is recommended to keep the window out for 30 days to allow any glue or residue to be completely dried, or it may end up damaging the window, or even the tint.