I can't believe it! Driving in Manhattan yesterday cop pulls me over to my huge surprise - I was driving calmly in traffic. He tells me he suspects the tint on my driver's and passenger windows is too dark. He pulls out this meter that goes over the glass on both sides and gives a reading of 32%. The legal limit in NY State according to him is up to 30%. (Though he later tells me that on passenger cars there should not be any tint on the front driver and passenger windows).
The guy nails me for two tickets, one for each window!
I was nice and apologetic to the guy - something you really have to be in NYC - and no leeway whatsoever.
I am completely livid at this! I have been driving this car for 1.5 yrs already in NY, even been pulled over a few times (have never gotten a ticket though). No damn way I'm changing the tinting - btw I knew I installed a slightly darker tint - actually 35% according to the dealer who did it. It's not THAT dark...But the reading still came out 32%... They must be on a campaign or something and need the extra money...Ugh!!!

 

30% means 30% light transmission from what I understand? So 32% is letting more light through than required?

If it's the amount of light blocked then 30% blocked = 70% transmitted which is really quite light! Lots of people use 75% on windscreens!

 

Really??

 

Dang. It is near end of month so they might be needing $$.

 

Wow two tickets is extra nasty. Hard to say if they are doing it for the money but one thing is for sure. In the future every level of government is going to be desperately looking for money and there is a certain group of people they are going to try to get it from.

 

Front doors are illegal in CA too. When you see a cop always roll the opposite window down and open sunroof. That makes the tint on the window they see look lighter. That ticket is just another road tax to pay. A 1.5Y run is not too bad for not taking any counter measures. Never heard of a cop giving 2 citations though, that was harsh.

 

you drive a porsche...u can afford it....i know...that's not the point.

seriously...2...sorry to hear that. in NY do u just pay the fine? i know in some states u have to get it inspected to show that tint was removed.

 

fight it. the system must be challenged at every opportunity.

 

Here's the test of the law:

Based on your avatar you are fortunate that u didn't get a no front plate ticket as well.

You have admitted above the tint is not legal based on the 35% comment. You gotta pay to play.

 

I agree in principle (test of the law), thanks for clarifying. I know I was taking a risk at going 35% when I had the windows tinted, so guilty as charged. I went 1.5 yrs without notice about this despite being stopped for other useless reasons in the meantime...and I might anticipate going another 1.5 (or hopefully more) without another.
Bottom line though I found it rather harsh that with being only 2% off (according to his meter - on both driver and passenger sides - he had no idea I purchased 35%) that he was merciless with no grace. I have a clean driving record with no other infractions, not even speeding. But yeah, "you pays your money, you takes your chances"...
To your other point, I have a tow hook mounted plate. The avatar is from when I first bought the car. It took a warning at the entrance to the Queen's Midtown Tunnel, which I cross often, for me to put the plate on permanently - at that particular moment it was sitting in the frunk. Thankfully the Tunnel cop was a nice guy and let me off with the warning rather than a ticket.
I could fight it but I think the cost of that would exceed the total cost of the tickets, no need to show I've removed the tint. Also, thankfully there are no points deducted for such infractions.

 

Were you not 38% over, if legal is 70%?
I really doubt 30 is legal on front windows in any state.
70 is so clear you cant even tell its there, but it can still reduce UV and IR.
Usually 50 keeps you off the radar but 35 starts to get attention.

 

Description of infraction reads: "Front Driver Window Tint 32% < 70%".
The 32% in the quote above is circled. The other ticket reads exactly the same except refers to "Passenger Window"

 

I have 12% on my M5 front sides and 5% on the back sides and rear windshield, which is like limo tint. Anytime I get pulled over, I just roll down all 4 windows, which is what the cops really want anyway. They just want to be safe. I haven't had a ticket in 5.5 years in regards to the tint. If I did, I would just chalk it up to a 'cool tax'. I would not change it.

 

Give cops a new toy like that tint gun and they will look for opportunities to use it and pay it off.
Never seen one of those but I wonder where to get one.

 

Make em prove calibration on it.. will win every time...