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Tinted Windows...!!!???
Yesterday my husband and I were on our way to work when a glorified tax collector, aka CHP, threw on his lights and pulled us over. The reason? Our car windows are tinted. We have owned this car for nearly two years, and it had the tinted windows when we bought it. Furthermore, my husband has been pulled over three times in this same car in the last 18 months. Once, for missing tags (they had been stolen). Once for speeding, and once at a random license/sobriety checkpoint on New Year's Eve. NOT ONCE did any of those guys even mention our tinted windows. And now, the CHP in question wants us to have the tint removed. I spent my lunch hour today running errands, and all I saw were other vehicles sporting darker windows than ours, travelling the road unmolested. Everyone I know, when I relay this story, says, "but your windows aren't that dark." If anyone can give me any advice as to how to fight this, I would appreciate it immensely. I have a real problem with being forced to remove the window tint, especially if it hinges on the fact that some CHP was in a bad mood that day. 40 comments from 17 users
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posted by
ki6amd
on Jul 26, 2007 at 04:19 AM
Sorry to say, but you can't really fight this. It is a fix-it ticket, and the ONLY tint allowed on front windows must allow 88% of the light to travel through it. In other words the only that is legal is polarized tint, which only blocks glare, and to top that off, you must have a doctors prescription...Welcome to the Kommunist state of Kalifornia! Where there's a law for everything. Yes, there are MANY people who have limo tint on their front windows, but they usually know the drill... get it removed and go back to the tint shop where they pay a high price for a "lifetime" tint, so the next time they get ticketed, they don't have to pay to get re-tinted. Sure, you're free to argue your case all day, but in the end the judge will throw the book at you and tell you to pay a 300% (or more) increase on the fix-it ticket price, and still tell you to have the tint removed, and he'll drive off in his car at the end of the day with windows so dark you'll think they are covered in black paint. posted by
samheath
on Jul 26, 2007 at 04:56 AM
Sad to say, but you nailed it. No chance in court.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 07:13 AM
Next thing you know they won't let you stick post-it notes on the windshield either. posted by
steveeswenson
on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:05 AM
Here is a link to the California law.I am amazed at some of the tinted windows I see around town. Especially ones that have pretty women. I believe the purpose of the law is unrestricted view of adorable creatures. I'm guess, ghostriter, this was the whole problem with your windows. posted by
NancyII
on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:08 AM
Maybe take it to the CHP office where they clear fixits and ask them if it is too dark. You don't even have to tell them you got the ticket til later , just ask first. I don't know if that would do a bit of good but at least you'd know if it was arbitrary or not. posted by
robbwillis
on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:19 AM
I don't see any problem with tinted car windows if your car is only driven during the day. Just take proof of that to the judge. posted by
gsisola
on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:32 AM
My son had this done to his new car about three months ago. I told him at the time that you can only tint the rear window and the two back windows... not the two front windows. He listened to me like most teens do... and had them all done. The result, three "tint tickets" in less than a week. The front window tint has since been removed. I think this is about your only solution here, short of selling the car. Sorry ! RF - In fact you probably can get a ticket for "post-its" on your windshield, a friend of mine got one for "obstruction of view" for too much stuff hanging on her rear view mirror. posted by
NancyII
on Jul 26, 2007 at 08:44 AM
I'm afraid I'll have to agree about windows that make it appear you're wearing sunglasses at night. It's just me, but I have no tints on my windows other than what came from the manufacturer. I know it can rot my upolstry and make the car hot but I don't like driving at night without full visibility. When I park it in the sun I have sunshades for the front and rear windows. That's as good as it gets.
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 09:44 AM
What I do not understand is why are business's allowed to sell this service? I do not want this thread to get off topic,but another local shop that was just in the news comes to mind.Why are shops that do illegal activities not called on it? Why are cars sold off dealer lots with illegal windows being sold?Why must ghostwriter and countless others pay to fund an illegal activity?Why are licenses fees being paid to the city and to State for these shops? Are not the people being "set up"? Sheriff? Anyone?
posted by
ghostriter
on Jul 26, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Nancy, I too have a problem with night driving, but my windows are not dark enough to cause me trouble. Actually, the windshield is not tinted at all, and unless I am mistaken, the tint is supposedly legal. The thing is that this seems to be entirely subjective, and as I said, depends on the cop and his mood at the time. sage...businesses sell radar detectors too, and they are just as illegal as limo tint. They penalize consumers, not businesses. And thanks, Steve, for the compliment...:) posted by
TomW
on Jul 26, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Good point, Sage. If a contractor came intp your house and did a wiring job that wasn't to code, they would be liable. If a landlord rents you a "non-conforming" unit, they are liable. The experts in the field, no matter what field, shouldn't be allowed to provide illegal services.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Radar detectors are not illegal in California except on military bases. . Windows can legally be tinted jet black opaque if you so desire. You just can't drive the resulting vehicle on California roads. posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Gisola, that's what I meant. I was speaking ironic. Anything which obstructs the driver's visibility *IS* illegal. And should be.
posted by
SoCaMuscle
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Update:
This IS NOT a fix-it ticket! It will be a point on your driving record. I got pulled over for the same thing a couple of years ago by a CHP in NW Bakersfield on Super Bowl Sunday. Obviously pissed that he had to work and miss the game, he pulled me over on Meacham (CHP in a residential area....sigh) and ticketed me for tinted front windows. Not until I went to pay the fine did I find out that the laws changed (I believe in 2001) and this was no longer a "fix it'...... posted by
RoyTullis
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:04 AM
When I purchased my last street rod, a 29 Ford Tudor, All the windows were tinted except the windshield. The first time I took it out at night it was a disaster. The lights coming through the windshield bounced around the interior of the car. It was like being in a house of mirrors. I immediately took it home. The next day I had the tint sheets removed from the front windows. It's fine now but was really a driving hazard before.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:19 AM
My suggestion for those with dark tints is that if you see a cop/chp, etc roll your window down so they can see you, but do it before they see you. That's the biggest problem. If they can't see your face you'll get popped. My drivers and passenger doors are one step past clear which helps and isn't as much of a magnet as the limo tint. The back ones are limo. Tinting windows in this town just makes sense, but you have to be smart about it. Cops are just doing their job just like everybody else.
posted by
ghostriter
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I was told by a friend of mine that the CHP who stopped him once said that he was "going to be nice" and not cite him for his radar detector, but that they are illegal in CA. Maybe the cop was just jerking my friend's chain?
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:28 AM
RF~thats some nice dancing! Tint shops should be busted for illegal services~just like any other person who provides illegal substances or item.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Ghostriter, I'd vote for pulling the chain. Radar detectors are legal, but jammers are not. Maybe that's what he had? http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/... . But the service is *NOT* illegal, Sage. You can legally paint over your car windows. You can replace the steering wheel with a pair of horse reins. You can remove the seats and replace them with a Barcalounger. The illegality does not happen until you try to drive it in that condition. Don't believe me? Here's the law: http://home.pcisys.net/~bpc... I direct your attention to the first four words of (1) and (2). Now, you could make a case that section 26708.5 (b) that putting dark tint on would be illegal, but I wouldn't bet on it. Now, they should've *TOLD* you that you'd be breaking the law by driving it--kind of like those old Prohibition warning labels for winemaking kits, which supposedly said "do not place this in a container of water or an illegal beverage may result." posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:01 PM
RF~Whats wrong is the way the law is written~sure all the things you say are true~but most people buy cars~Most new ones run what? around$ 30,000 and upwards? You buy a car to drive it .If it's illegal to drive,the service that provides that illegality should be busted.Okay ~your not dancing but our Government sure is.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:06 PM
When I got mine done, the person told me that it was illegal, but he would do it at my own risk. He wrote up the receipt as if I got the clear tint done for warranty purposes. Tint shops do get busted for doing illegal tint, but there are ways around that. All you have to do is not offer the service and make the customer request it.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Lots of cars are bought and modified either for show or for off-road use, Sagefever. Pick up a JC Whitney catalog and they'll sell you lots of stuff they state can't be used on a street-legal car.
posted by
KathyBates
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Its not just against the law to have all windows tinted but the companies that do it, is also breaking the law. But how are they going to bust them? Go undercover? Its not that big of an issue for the cops to pull off a sting. These tint companies see dollar signs.I am amazed with the tint on the front windows that you can not see anything, not even in the bright sun. I see it all the time, doesn't the cops? Pretty females hiding behind them? Make a law for only 'baggers' to have dark tint windows. Men and women a like. Just a thought, not to offend any of you 'baggers'. posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Which law are they breaking by tinting the windows, Kathy? Can you point to the specific Vehicle Code section?
posted by
robbwillis
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Shouldn't it be illegal for bars to have parking lots?
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Why? The bartender has to park *SOMEWHERE.* . Hell, Spouse #2 tells me Florida "package stores" (liquor stores) have *DRIVE-UP WINDOWS.* posted by
robbwillis
on Jul 26, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Okay, the bartender and the waitresses get parking spaces, but the customers(sunglasses permitted) have to walk at least a mile unless they come and go by limos with tinted windows.
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 01:04 PM
Okay~tint your windows,get a ticket, just seems wrong to me.Sorry the CHP had so little to do that day Ghostwriter.I'm putting on my sunglass's and going for a walk. posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 01:10 PM
.5. (a) No person shall place, install, affix, or apply anytransparent material upon the windshield, or side or rear windows, of 26708any motor vehicle if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmittance of the windshield or side or rear windows, except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 26708. (b) Tinted safety glass may be installed in a vehicle if (1) the glass complies with motor vehicle safety standards of the United States Department of Transportation for safety glazing materials, and (2) the glass is installed in a location permitted by those standards for the particular type of glass used. from the law~guess inforcement is the issue. posted by
sfinboston52
on Jul 26, 2007 at 01:15 PM
so since it is illegal these people are criminals and should be punished to the full extent of the law.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Jul 26, 2007 at 01:17 PM
RF, I heard you can order a drink from a bar in Florida "to go"Spam Code = vanno posted by
pamg
on Jul 26, 2007 at 01:59 PM
TransLex will install a TV in the front passenger area of your car if you insist. But they'll tell you it's illegal to use it.
posted by
randomfactor
on Jul 26, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Sage, I noted that section. It says you can't put anything in the car that reduces light transmission *UNLESS* it's safety glass the same as what the auto maker is required to use. In other words, you can't use ordinary glass to replace the safety glass, but you *CAN* tint the safety glass. . Enforcement *IS* the issue. Once the car is driven onto the road, the rest of the statute will be enforced. As Ghostriter found out. posted by
sagefever
on Jul 26, 2007 at 02:16 PM
RF~your right
posted by
TomW
on Jul 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
RF, Pete: http://bowling.meetup.com/7... "Sarah brought up the subject of Drive-thru Margarita shops in New Orleans. I told her that there are some for Daiquiris too. Here is a picture of a "Go-Cup. Down there, they don't say To-Go-Cup, just Go-Cup." posted by
msemilyh
on Jul 26, 2007 at 05:53 PM
getting off-topic, but a friend told me that somewhere (i think texas) they have the drive-through alcohol thing, BUT they give it to you with the top of the paper still on the straw, so it's not an open container!!!!! can anyone confirm this?
spam = yoldn posted by
ki6amd
on Jul 27, 2007 at 03:09 AM
Steve, I'm glad you linked to a non-government website for the law, but follow my link "Kommunist state of Kalifornia" to see the California DMV's version.I guess from now on I'll have to tell you what the link is. A LINK TO THE DMV's VERSION OF THE LAW FOUND HERE. posted by
ghostriter
on Jul 27, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Okay...I added a photo of my car that I took w/ my cell phone this morning. The windows are up. I know it is not a great photo, but you can clearly see my husband in the car. I do remember drive-thru liquor stores when I lived back east, but as for the served-with-a-covered-straw thing, I have never seen that. posted by
ki6amd
on Jul 28, 2007 at 01:15 AM
True, the tint is very light, but in California, there's no grey area in the law and it doesn't matter how ridiculous the law is, you'll still get in trouble if you break that law. ...(Reason #2 I want to move out of California.... reason #3 to be talked about in my next blog post)My next question though... is that an HF antenna on the roof, or just a coffee mug? posted by
ghostriter
on Jul 28, 2007 at 08:58 AM
coffee mug...I set it there before I took the picture.
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