Michigan Tint Law
Question: May I have tinted windows on
my vehicle?
Answer: The law that covers window
applications is MCL 257.709. The use of tinting
is limited to the rear side windows, the rear
window if the vehicle has outside mirrors on
both sides, and the top 4 inches of the front
side windows. There is a limited exception for
medical necessity with a doctor's prescription,
which allows for tinting to be applied to the
front side windows as well. Michigan does not
have a specification for the darkness of the
window application, but does prohibit
applications with a solar reflectivity greater
than 35%.
Question: If I have a signed letter by my
doctor indicating a medical necessity for
tinted windows, may another person drive
my vehicle if the windows are tinted?
Answer: MCL 257.709(3)(e) allows for front
side window tinting with "...a letter signed by a
physician or optometrist, indicating that the
special window treatment or application is a
medical necessity. However, the special
window treatment or application shall not
interfere with or obstruct the driver's clear
vision of the highway or an intersecting
highway." A vehicle equipped with such tinting
could not legally be driven by a person other
than the person to whom the letter was given.
Taken from:
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7_123_1586
_27094_73839__,00.html#tinted |
Michigan Vehicle Code
(EXCERPT) – Act 300 of 1949
257.709 Windshields and windows; prohibitions;
rearview mirrors; exceptions; windshield
wipers; exemption; hot air windshield defroster
or electrically heated windshield or other
device; windshield washer; definitions.
Sec. 709.
(1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle with any
of the following:
(a) A sign, poster, nontransparent material, window
application, reflective film, or nonreflective film upon or
in the front windshield, the side windows immediately
adjacent to the driver or front passenger, or the
sidewings adjacent to and forward of the driver or front
passenger, except that a tinted film may be used along
the top edge of the windshield and the side windows or
sidewings immediately adjacent to the driver or front
passenger if the material does not extend more than 4
inches from the top of the windshield, or lower than the
shade band, whichever is closer to the top of the
windshield.
(b) A rear window or side window to the rear of the
driver composed of, covered by, or treated with a
material that creates a total solar reflectance of 35% or
more in the visible light range, including a silver or gold
reflective film.
(2) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if driver
visibility through the rear window is obstructed, unless
the vehicle is equipped with 2 rearview mirrors, 1 on
each side, adjusted so that the operator has a clear
view of the highway behind the vehicle.
(3) This section shall not apply to:
(a) The use of draperies, louvers, or other special
window treatments, except those specifically
designated in this section, on the rear window, or a
side window to the rear of the driver if the vehicle is
equipped with 2 outside rearview mirrors, 1 on each
side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the
highway behind the vehicle
(e) A special window treatment or application
determined necessary by a physician or optometrist, for
the protection of a person who is light sensitive or
photosensitive, if the owner or operator of a motor
vehicle has in possession a letter signed by a physician
or optometrist, indicating that the special window
treatment or application is a medical necessity.
However, the special window treatment or application
shall not interfere with or obstruct the driver's clear
vision of the highway or an intersecting highway
Excerpted from:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ja2e0amc5ic5e13m0f
2vnuzn))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl
_257_709&highlight on 03/30/10 |
