2024 Arkansas Legal Tint Laws Explained

2024 Arkansas Tint Percentage Laws

Navigating Arkansas’s tint percentage laws can directly impact your vehicle’s compliance, so it’s critical to understand these four key regulations. These Arkansas window tint laws dictate the amount of Visible Light Transmission (VLT) that is legally permissible when tinting your car windows.

1. Car Side Windows Tint: Arkansas regulations stipulate that your car side windows must have a VLT rating of 25% or higher. This means that at least 25% of the sunlight should be able to penetrate through the tint. Law enforcement authorities are vigilant about this rule, so ensure that your tint percentage in Arkansas complies.
2. Rear Windshield Tint: When it comes to the rear windshield, the car tint laws are a bit more lenient. You can go for a darker tint as the legal tint limit allows a VLT rating of up to 10%.
3. Front Windshield Tint: Arkansas permits non-reflective tint on the top five inches of the windshield. Any tint below this mark is against the law and can result in penalties.
4. Large Vehicles Tint: For larger vehicles like SUVs and vans, the front side windows must stick to the 25% VLT rule, but the rear side windows can have a darker tint of 10% VLT.

Understanding VLT in Tinting

Often overlooked, VLT or Visible Light Transmission is a key factor in understanding tint laws, as it represents the percentage of visible light that your car windows allow to pass through. In the context of Arkansas tint laws, VLT is crucial in complying with window tinting regulations.

The tint percentage in Arkansas is determined by VLT requirements. For instance, the Arkansas law necessitates a 25% or higher VLT rating for car side windows. This means that at least a quarter of visible light must pass through the windows. For the rear windshield, the requirement is more lenient with a VLT rating of 10%, allowing for darker tints.

Arkansas also has specific restrictions concerning the windshield. Non-reflective tint is only allowed on the top five inches. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and vans, have their own set of VLT requirements for front and rear side windows.

Moreover, there are medical exemptions in Arkansas law. If you have a certified medical document, you’re allowed darker window tint. It’s worth noting that optically transparent tints, while allowing more light passage, can still block up to 99% of harmful UV light.

Reflectivity and Color Restrictions

While considering the VLT percentages is crucial, you shouldn’t overlook Arkansas’s rules about window tint reflectivity and color. Arkansas law prohibits the use of reflective or metallic window tint on your car. This regulation is in place due to the potential dangers and distractions that tint reflection could cause for other drivers on the road.

Now, let’s talk about color. Unlike some states, Arkansas does not limit the colors of window tinting you can use. A broad spectrum of colors is allowed, offering you greater flexibility in personalizing your car’s appearance. However, gray, green, blue, or smoke hued tints are recommended as they provide privacy without significantly reducing visibility.

Remember, while tinting your windows can enhance your car’s aesthetics and provide privacy, obstructed windows are a violation of Arkansas law. It’s important to strike a balance between privacy and safety.

For durability, consider using a high-quality ceramic-based window film. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’ll last longer and perform better than other types.

Here’s a quick rundown of the laws in a 2 column and 5 row table:

Medical Exemptions in Arkansas

In the realm of window tinting, Arkansas law provides medical exemptions that allow for darker window tints if you have certain health conditions. If you suffer from specific medical conditions that necessitate darker window tints on your vehicle windows for protection or comfort, the state of Arkansas recognizes this need and provides a legal means for you to do so.

To qualify for a tint exemption in Arkansas, there are four important steps to follow:

1. Consult with your doctor about your need for darker window tints. If your doctor agrees, they will provide an official document stating your need for a medical exemption.
2. Take this document to a reputable tint provider. They will be able to apply the appropriate window films to your passenger vehicle while ensuring adequate visibility.
3. Keep this medical exemption document in your vehicle at all times. This will help avoid any potential legal issues if questioned about your window tints.
4. Consider using optically transparent or near-transparent window films. These can still block up to 99% of UV light, providing the protection you need while ensuring compliance with Arkansas laws.

It’s important to remember that these medical exemptions are intended to accommodate your health needs, not to bypass the law. Please respect this provision and use it responsibly.

We hope this information helps you understand the medical exemptions for window tinting in the state of Arkansas. As always, it’s best to consult with a professional for personalized advice.

If you would like to bypass having to fill out paperwork and dealing with the state, we can help you get an online medical exemption for window tint in Arkansas.

Penalties for Illegal Tinting

If you’re not careful, illegal window tinting in Arkansas could land you with a Class B misdemeanor offense, including fines up to $1000 and a potential jail term of three months. A vehicle with a window tint exceeding the legal Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage of 120 could attract the attention of law enforcement officers, leading to such penalties.

The VLT percentage refers to the amount of light a window tint allows through your vehicle’s windows. A professional tinted film with a VLT of 120, for example, allows 120% of light into the vehicle. However, if your tint is darker than this, you’re in violation of Arkansas’s legal tint laws. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle’s window tint adheres to the legal VLT percentage to avoid these penalties.

First-time offenders may not face the maximum penalties, but the risk increases with subsequent violations. Therefore, it’s crucial to correct any illegal tint immediately to avoid further complications. In addition, the darker your window tint, the more likely it is to draw unnecessary attention to your vehicle. To avoid this, consider using a transparent tint that will not violate the law or attract attention.