Window tinting can feel like a life saver in our famous Hawaiian sun and traffic. However, there are still limits to how dark you can make your windows.

Front Door Windows

Tint laws do vary from state to state but typically in most states the two front door windows are lighter than the back door windows and back windshield. Many people do ask why only the front door windows need to be lighter. This regulation is mostly for safety reasons. The driver needs sufficient visibility looking out of the door window, using the side mirrors, and allow law enforcement to see the driver of the motor vehicle. Regulations do require cars to have the front door windows at lighter shade, usually at 70 percent light transmittance.

Hawaii State law does allow passenger vehicle window tinting to be as dark as 35 percent visual light transmittance with a 6 percent leeway, meaning technically you are safe getting metered at as low as 29 percent. Although this is darker than some states such as California (front door windows must be no darker than 70 VLT), passenger vehicles in Hawaii must have all door windows and back windshield at 35 percent VLT. Trucks, Vans, and SUVs are able to have the back door windows and back windshield darker than the front two door windows.  

Medical Exemptions

Hawaii does not allow medical exemptions for darker tint.

Preferences

Do you know the laws of how dark window tinting can go? Even if it is legal to tint the back half of your SUV at 5% doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Some people have a more difficult time seeing especially at night reversing with darker films. Everyone is different in what they are comfortable with but typically people with poor eyesight might want to get a lighter film. There are great films available today such as Nano Ceramic films that block out even more heat than some of the darkest films out there. You don’t have to sacrifice heat protection to be compliant with Hawaii State Law.

Ohana Tinting has vast knowledge of Hawaii State tinting laws. For questions, give them a call at (808) 636-6551. More information about their car tint services is available on their website.