As the ninth largest state, Oregon features a variety of climates, from cool and humid on the coast to semi-oceanic in the Willamette Valley.
If you live in one of the hotter, dryer areas, you could benefit from tinting your windows to make your driving experience more pleasant.
But is driving with tinted windows safe, and can you get pulled over for tint in Oregon?
Let’s explore the Oregon window tint laws to help you make an informed decision.
Oregon State Law and VLT
We can measure the amount of sunlight that penetrates into your vehicle with the Visible Light Transmission, or VLT, which is expressed as a percentage.
If you don’t have any window tint, you may have a VLT close to 100%, since most or all of the light can enter your car.
However, most tinted windows allow 25-50% sunlight penetration, so the inside of your vehicle will be much darker and cooler.
In Oregon, the laws around window tilt were enacted in 2003 in an effort to make driving as safe and pleasant as possible for everyone.
VLT is an important measure here, and you’ll have to make sure your manufacturer or dealer sells you tint at an appropriate level.
Oregon Window Tint Laws for Passenger and Multi-Purpose Vehicles
Before buying tint, you’ll need to know which VLT is allowed for which windows.
This depends on the type of car you own, as sedans are subject to stricter rules than SUVs and vans.
No matter what vehicle you drive, you’ll be able to tint the top 6 inches of your windshield, as long as the film you’ve chosen isn’t reflective.
You can also apply a tint of 35% VLT or higher to your front passenger windows.
While the 35% VLT restriction is true for back passenger windows and the back window in sedans, there is no such restriction for SUVs and vans.
In fact, you can apply any tint darkness to those windows if you drive a multi-purpose vehicle.
Further Regulations and Laws in Oregon
Aside from the Visible Light Transmission, another factor that influences safety is how reflective the film is.
If your windows reflect light back at the other cars, this may cause confusion and accidents, so Oregon prohibits window tint that is more than 13% reflective.
When buying film, make sure to ask the vendor about this, so you comply with both the VLT and the reflectiveness regulations.
By law, the manufacturer has to issue a certificate that states the light transmittance and reflectance, but you don’t have to display a sticker to identify legal tinting on your vehicle.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that you’ll have to have dual side mirrors if any window behind the driver is tinted.
In addition, Oregon is very specific about the colors that are allowed.
Unfortunately, you can’t have red, gold, yellow, amber, or black tint.
Window Tint Laws and Medical Exemptions
While the majority of people tint their windows because it looks good and it’s convenient, this feature is a medical necessity for some.
Anyone who suffers from a condition that makes them particularly vulnerable to sunlight and UV rays should look into getting a medical exemption for darker window tint.
This could be the case if you suffer from Cockayne Syndrome, Bloom Syndrome, Albinism, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or a similar condition.
Oregon does allow such exemptions, but you’ll have to be able to prove that you are eligible.
Speak to your physician about obtaining a prescription, but keep in mind that they can only help you if you genuinely need it due to a medical concern.
FAQs
Now that you’re aware of the most important rules and regulations, you may be wondering whether it’s worth complying with the various laws.
Do you really need window tint, and if so, is it likely that you’ll get pulled over if it’s too dark?
Read on to discover the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Is Window Tint a Necessary Feature in Oregon?
Different people will give you different answers to this question, and it depends both on how sensitive you are to heat and sunlight and where in Oregon you live.
But while saving money on air conditioning and avoiding glare are both great reasons to opt for window tint, they are not the only ones.
Many people decide to get this feature because it can deter thieves, who won’t be able to see what objects you’re keeping in your vehicle.
It can also allow for greater privacy and a better driving experience, particularly with children.
If you are ever in an accident, the film could stop your windowpane from shattering and hurting someone, as the glue used will keep the broken glass in place.
Can You Get Pulled Over for Tint in Oregon?
Luckily, you can’t be imprisoned for having incorrectly tinted windows, but you may have to pay a fine for a Class B traffic violation.
This is usually $360, but you will be punished more harshly if you’re selling or installing an unlawful window tint.
While you can get pulled over for incorrect tint, the laws are not enforced equally strictly in all areas of Oregon, and you are more likely to be fined if you draw attention to yourself by other means such as speeding.
Oregon window tint laws are quite specific and involve not only the VLT but also the reflectiveness and color of your film.
You don’t need a sticker to prove your tint is legal, but police officers have special devices that can measure this, so it’s best to comply with the rules.
By following the above guidelines, you can enjoy a safer and more enjoyable ride without the chance of getting fined.