August 30, 2024 | South Carolina Law
There are plenty of reasons to love South Carolina, and its mild yet variable climate is certainly one of them. On average, you can expect sunshine about 218 days of the year, with summer temps climbing into the mid and upper 90s. As a result, it’s not unusual to see cars get equipped with tinted windows to help beat the heat.
However, before you add a tint to your car’s windows, you should know that there are laws in place to ensure safety when windows are obstructed in such a fashion. Window tint laws are meant to prevent excessive obstruction to the driver’s view that could result in car accidents, and you can be ticketed if you fail to follow these rules.
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about tinting your windows in South Carolina.
South Carolina Window Tint Laws
According to South Carolina Code Section 56-5-5015, any window in a vehicle may be tinted, but there are restrictions. For starters, all “sunscreening devices” must be nonreflective, and the color may not be red, yellow, or amber.
You might want to tint your front windshield to protect your eyes from the glare of the rising or setting sun so you don’t accidentally wind up causing a rear-end collision. However, that tint can only extend from the top down to the AS-1 line, which is often delineated by a hashmark or identifying “AS-1” text on the windshield.
Vehicle owners are allowed to add after-factory tinting to their front side windows (known as side wings), rear side windows (those behind the driver), and rear-most windows, provided light transmission is not less than 27% when combined with manufacturer tinting.
You are also required to maintain two side mirrors (one on each side of the vehicle) when you have back window tinting. Furthermore, any after-factory tinting must be accompanied by a certificate of compliance that includes the date of installation, contact information for the installer, and the percentage of light transmission.
South Carolina requires that law enforcement agencies use uniform tint check cards to accurately measure light transmission when enforcing the law, so you want to make sure your tinting is always in compliance.
Proposed Amendment To the Window Tint Law
South Carolina House Bill 4191 was introduced on March 23, 2023, and is currently in committee.
The bill proposes changes to the law to state that the light transmission of any added tinting on side and rear windows must not be less than 5%, including when combined with factory/manufacturer sun-screening. That would reduce the permitted level of light transmission from its current limit of “not less than 27%.”
Medical Exemptions For Darker Tints
You might be surprised to learn that many states offer medical exemptions that allow for window tinting that exceeds legal limits.
To take advantage of these exemptions in South Carolina, you’ll need to obtain a signed affidavit from a licensed physician or optometrist stating you have a physical condition that requires window tinting that exceeds legal limits. You must keep this affidavit in the vehicle at all times and update it every two years.
To Tint or Not To Tint?
Tinting can help to keep your car interior cool and minimize glare, but it can also obstruct the view of the driver, potentially leading to fender benders or other hazards. By following the laws regarding window tinting, you can gain some benefits without tempting danger or traffic tickets.
Contact a South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer at Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers Today
For more information, contact the Personal Injury law firm of Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Columbia
1333 Main St #510,
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 373-1706
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Lexington
5465 Sunset Blvd Suite B,
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 373-1302
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Orangeburg
161 Elliott St SE Suite B,
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 373-7593
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Blythewood
749-2 University Village Dr,
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 592-6553
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Columbiana Dr
380 Columbiana Dr
Columbia, SC 29212