What's happening
This bill lowers the minimum light transmittance for automobile window tint from 70% to 50% and allows a 7% measurement tolerance.
Why it matters
Greater flexibility for vehicle owners. Lowering the minimum light transmittance from 70% to 50% allows drivers to use darker window tints, which can enhance privacy, reduce glare, and improve comfort, especially in sunny or hot conditions.
Potential impacts on law enforcement and safety. Darker tints may make it harder for police or emergency responders to see inside vehicles, potentially affecting traffic stops and occupant safety during accidents or emergencies.
Clearer standards and reduced penalties for minor variances. The addition of a 7% measurement tolerance acknowledges that testing equipment and installation may not be perfectly precise, reducing the risk of drivers being penalized for minor, unintentional deviations from the law.
Alignment with industry practices and consumer preferences. The changes may bring New York’s laws more in line with other states and current automotive tinting trends, making compliance easier for both consumers and businesses that install window tint.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Darker Car Window Tint
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8484
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
August 7, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the level of acceptable light transmittance of automobile window tint and film
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (b) and (d) of subdivision 12-a of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law, paragraph (b) as amended and paragraph (d) as added by chapter 155 of the laws of 1991, are amended to read as follows:
(b) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public highway, road or street:
(1) the front windshield of which is composed of, covered by or treated with any material which has a light transmittance of less than seventy percent unless such materials are limited to the uppermost six inches of the windshield; or
(2) the sidewings or side windows of which on either side forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat are composed of, covered by or treated with any material which has a light transmittance of less than [seventy] fifty percent; or
(3) if it is classified as a station wagon, sedan, hardtop, coupe, hatchback or convertible and any rear side window has a light transmittance of less than [seventy] fifty percent; or
(4) the rear window of which is composed of, covered by or treated with any material which has a light transmittance of less than [seventy] fifty percent. A rear window may have a light transmittance of less than [seventy] fifty percent if the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors on both sides of the vehicle so adjusted that the driver thereof shall have a clear and full view of the road and condition of traffic behind such vehicle.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13452-01-9
A. 8484 2
(d) The commissioner may test any window for a person who has been charged with violating this subdivision. Such measurements made by the commissioner, or his designee, shall be given a tolerance of plus or minus seven percent. If such window is found to be in conformity with this subdivision, a small label attesting to the conformity shall be affixed to the window tested.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.