Ala. Admin. Code r. 760-X-1-.17
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 6, March 29, 2024
Section 760-X-1-.17 - Regulation On Window Tinting(a) As used in this Rule, 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 glasscoating material or who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safetyglazing material, which material reduces light transmission.(4) "Material" means any transparent product or substance which reduces light transmission.(b) Except as provided in this Code section, from and after March 1, 1991, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle registered 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 section (2) of this Rule 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 seveninch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a seveninch 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) Any other vehicle, the windows or windshields of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery or permitted by federal law or regulation, except for those windows to the right and left of the driver; or(7) Any motor vehicle not registered in this state.(d) The Department of Public 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 24 of Title 34, issue an exemption from the provisions of this Rule 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 Public Safety.(e) From and after March 1, 1991, each manufacturer of material designed to be affixed or applied to the windows or windshields of a motor vehicle may, before shipping such material into this state, apply to the director 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 director 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 section (2) of this Rule. The manufacturer of any material shipped into this state on or after March 1, 1991, shall provide labels of a size and type approved by the director, 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 section is a violation of state law. It shall be unlawful for any person to alter or reproduce any label approved by the director or to knowingly use any approved label except as authorized by this Rule.(f) From and after March 1, 1991, 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 such vehicle indicating that such windows and windshield are in compliance with the light transmission and light reflectance requirements as provided in section (2) of this Rule. From and after March 1, 1991, no person shall install any material upon the windshield 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 section (2) of this Rule.(g) This rule regulates the use of nontransparent material on vehicles as provided in § 32-5-215, Code of Ala. 1975, as amended. B. W. Henderson, Jack M. Curtis
Ala. Admin. Code r. 760-X-1-.17
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 32-2-9, 32-5-215, as amended.