Can you get pulled over for tint in North Dakota?
The truth is, there are certain laws for window tinting in each and every state in the country.
Drivers are responsible for knowing and understanding these laws according to their own state, including the state of North Dakota.
While North Dakota was one of the last states to set tinting laws, they have been around for almost two decades.
Learning about these laws can make drivers more aware and prevent them from getting pulled over by law enforcement.
Legal Tint Limit for Passenger Vehicles
The state of North Dakota splits its window tinting laws into two categories: passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles.
The first step to learning these laws is to know which kind of vehicle you have.
Passenger vehicles typically include sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, hardtops, coupes, and convertibles.
They are motor vehicles with motive power that are designed to hold ten people or fewer.
You can easily determine whether your car is a passenger vehicle or a multi-purpose vehicle by looking at the label on the inside of your driver’s side door.
It’s located just near your Vehicle Identification Number.
Below are the legal tint limits for passenger vehicles in North Dakota.
Front Windshield
North Dakota allows tinting on front windshields, but the tint must be at 70% VLT, meaning it lets in 70% of the light shining on it.
Front Seat Side Windows
Front seat side windows in North Dakota must allow more than 50% of light in.
Back Seat Side Windows
Back seat side windows do not have a tint limit in North Dakota, so they can have any level of darkness to the driver’s preference.
Rear Window
Just like the back seat side windows, the rear window can also have any level of tint with no limits on darkness.
Legal Tint Limit for Multi-Purpose Vehicles
In the state of North Dakota, multi-purpose vehicles, or multi-passenger vehicles, have their own specific tinting laws.
Like with a passenger vehicle, you can determine if your car is multi-purpose by looking at that same label inside the driver’s seat door next to the VIN.
Multi-purpose vehicles can include SUVs, vans, campers, pickups, sport utility vehicles, mini-busses, RV, and other similar transportation.
You can learn what the window tinting laws are for multi-purpose vehicles in N. Dakota are below.
Front Windshield
In North Dakota, the front windshield must allow more than 70% of light in, but there are no specific laws against placement.
Front Seat Side Windows
Front seat side windows of multi-purpose vehicles in this state must allow 50% of light or more in through the tint.
Back Seat Side Windows
North Dakota drivers can install any kind or level of tint on their back seat windows with no VLT limits.
Rear Window
Likewise, North Dakota drivers can also use any tint darkness on their rear window.
Additional Window Tint Laws in North Dakota
In addition to the specific range of tint allowed on certain windows and vehicles in North Dakota, there are a few other laws that are important to know and keep in mind.
Any vehicle that has tinted windows behind the driver must also be equipped with dual side mirrors.
Unlike other states, drivers in North Dakota can have any colored tint that they want on their car.
Manufacturers do not have to certify the film that they sell to customers in North Dakota, therefore, drivers also do not need to have a certified sticker on their tinted windows.
Medical Exemptions
Many states offer medical exemptions for individuals who require darker windows due to medical conditions.
However, the state of North Dakota no longer offers any window tint medical exemptions, so even those with medical conditions must follow the regulations stated above.
The only current option for those wishing for a medical exemption is to contact the North Dakota State Representative directly and petition with the state to appeal this law.
How is Tint Darkness Measured in North Dakota?
In any state, the darkness of a window’s tint is measured in Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage.
North Dakota subscribes to this industry standard, indicating percentages of tint allowance in its state laws.
VLT percentage indicates how much light is allowed to pass through the film.
A higher percentage lets more light through, while a lower percentage lets less light through.
So, a 70% VLT means that 70% of the light can pass through the tint.
How Reflective Can Tint be in North Dakota?
Some drivers prefer to opt for a window tint that includes a metallic element.
This element brings a reflective nature to the tint, which helps deflect sunlight, reduce glare, and minimize heat within the vehicle on hot days.
However, reflective tints can also be dangerous, and many states have laws regulating this component as well.
In North Dakota, both passenger and multi-purpose vehicles may have reflective tinting so long as the reflection is not metallic or mirrored in appearance.
This law applies to all windows, too.
More Questions?
If you have additional questions concerning your state’s laws on tinting and reflective tinting, it’s best to contact your local authorities.
States impose various regulations and restrictions on window tinting for the benefit of public safety and law enforcement.
Although tinted windows may give benefits to drivers on an individual level, windows that are too dark can be dangerous in certain situations.
Not only can dark windows inhibit a driver’s visibility on the road, but they can be dangerous for law enforcement professions during high-risk situations or even routine traffic stops.
To avoid any negative encounters with law enforcement or penalties, contact your local DMV or police department to learn more.