Ask a Cop: Can Drivers Have Tinted Windows in California?

Is there anything you have ever wanted to know about the Mountain View Police Department?

Well, this is your chance to ask.Whether you have a question about certain laws and how they might affect you, your family or friends, or how to stay safe in certain situations, we want you to ask them. We will run the question(s) and give some answer(s). To submit a question, leave a comment below or email mountainview@patch.com.

Answer provided by Lt. Greg Oselinsky.

Question: Can drivers have tinted windows in California? If so, what's the right amount of tint allowed?

Answer: Yes and no.  It is defined in the Vehicle Code and you can read all the nuances of the law by visiting the DMV’s website at www.dmv.ca.gov this is a useful website for everything vehicle related. Here is a link to the law on window tint:  http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm The short version (and the part people always ask about) is that you may not have any tint on the windshield, the driver door window, or the front passenger door window.  This means that zero tint is allowed on these windows, none. Side windows behind the driver (a.k.a. the back windows) and the rear window may be tinted as long as the vehicle has rear view mirrors mounted on each side of the vehicle.