What percent window tint can I get away with-NJ?

GrimJaw · 07-21-2018, 08:42 AM

In the Jersey area wondering if anyone knows how much of a tint I can get away with since its illegal to have them on the front windows here.

If anyone knows a specific tint place around the area that would be helpful as well!

USA-RET · 07-21-2018, 08:51 AM

https://www.raynofilm.com/blog/autom...-laws-by-state

GrimJaw · 07-21-2018, 09:25 AM

Yeah no, I know its illegal. Just trying to see if anyone has a certain percentage that cops don't notice.

dradernh · 07-21-2018, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrimJaw

Yeah no, I know its illegal. Just trying to see if anyone has a certain percentage that cops don't notice.

My experience has been that local police notice window tints just as well as they notice inspection and registration stickers. It's just part of their job.

petegtsv10 · 07-21-2018, 10:54 AM

Just a technical note: My state, for instance, allows 35% max tint. So, if you have your factory tinted glass (as we all do) and have 35% tint applied on that glass, you will exceed the 35% max allowed. I am not positive that this is how it works, but I have been told so. (I keep my 35% receipt with me just in case)

Sportstick · 07-21-2018, 12:19 PM

I'm not sure how anyone could answer the original question. Are we considering the average LEO, which leaves you open to the more sensitive? The most sensitive LEO who would detect the legal standard from casual observation? The least sensitive LEO who may let it slide if you are behaving otherwise?

F22_Matt · 07-21-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I'm not sure how anyone could answer the original question. Are we considering the average LEO, which leaves you open to the more sensitive? The most sensitive LEO who would detect the legal standard from casual observation? The least sensitive LEO who may let it slide if you are behaving otherwise?

I think they're curious what they could realistically get away with without significantly increasing the risk of getting stopped and/or cited for that alone.

Sportstick · 07-21-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F22_Matt

I think they're curious what they could realistically get away with without significantly increasing the risk of getting stopped and/or cited for that alone.

Perhaps, but not reliably predictable for reasons mentioned.

WolfGTI · 07-21-2018, 03:43 PM

I live in South NJ - and all of the cars we have are tinted on all windows except the windshield at 30% - haven't had an issue.

gds52 · 07-22-2018, 07:55 AM

It's just hit or miss. In south jersey I was pulled over for 35% tint and was given warning. I took it off from front. Then put
50% front
35% rear.

No issues.

I got 50% all around on my Z coupe. No issues.
You can do 70% front and 35 or anything rear, that's safest.

BEM-S4 · 07-22-2018, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Quote:

Originally Posted by F22_Matt

I think they're curious what they could realistically get away with without significantly increasing the risk of getting stopped and/or cited for that alone.

Perhaps, but not reliably predictable for reasons mentioned.

I think if you wanted to be a bit scientific about what you could get away with, use what police see often as a proxy. They're not too precise but if something looks darker than they typically see that's basically the test.

Soooooo... in NJ say it's 35%. Look at neighboring states like PA NY etc. if some of them are at 30% you're probably safe there. Here in PA I see Jersey plates all the time, so I would imagine the opposite is true.

RoundelM3 · 07-22-2018, 09:30 AM

Here in NC, it's 35% maximum, with a 3% "tolerance" margin. I moved here from TX where it's 30% max, and had to have both cars re-tinted when they failed the annual NC State inspection. They have a hand-held meter and light source that the State Troopers carry in their cars to check, and the same unit is used at authorized State inspection places. You can't renew your vehicle registration until you pass the State inspection. Some states will allow darker windows on the rear sides and back window, but not here in NC.

The local shop I used for the re-tint was well aware of the legal limits and already had a "legal" package available that took into account the factory tint. Strange thing is that there is NO limit in NC for the rear windows on SUVs and limos but the driver and passenger sides have to be 35%.

Best thing I can recommend is to check NJ State laws and talk to a couple of tint shops to find out what the "tolerance" factor is. But if there is a law that says 35% is the max, 30% is NOT going to pass.

vinnypuchik · 07-22-2018, 10:10 AM

On my old car I had 20% on all windows except the windshield. Only got stopped 2 or 3 times in 6 years. It's really hit or miss. Haven't tinted my new m240 yet.

vinnypuchik · 07-22-2018, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrimJaw

In the Jersey area wondering if anyone knows how much of a tint I can get away with since its illegal to have them on the front windows here.

If anyone knows a specific tint place around the area that would be helpful as well!

Illmatic wraps in Hackensack NJ is supposed to be really good. A little pricy though. They quoted me $395 for 20% on all windows but the windshield for an m240.

USA-RET · 07-22-2018, 10:38 AM

FWIW, trying to get-away w/ anything is "borrowing trouble". Cost of the fine and the subsequent removal doesn't make good sense to me. Giving LE any reason to pull you over is something I wouldn't do.

https://poststar.com/news/local/law-...d62d4f954.html

I had tints done locally and the "tinter" told me he never installs tints to windows that go against state law. From his perspective he doesn't want LE to come back to him charging illegal installations. Unlikely - yes But from his perspective he doesn't need the grief.

aerobod · 07-22-2018, 11:37 AM

A few years ago the RCMP here in Alberta pulled over a car cruise at the side of the highway with approximately 100 cars in it (my son owned one of the cars). They tested the tint on each car and handed out razor blades to more than half the people whose cars failed the test, to strip the tint at the side of the road. The alternative was a ticket and the car to be towed (likely after a several hour wait), no one was able to drive their car away before the tint was made legal.

bimmerfile · 07-22-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

A few years ago the RCMP here in Alberta pulled over a car cruise at the side of the highway with approximately 100 cars in it (my son owned one of the cars). They tested the tint on each car and handed out razor blades to more than half the people whose cars failed the test, to strip the tint at the side of the road. The alternative was a ticket and the car to be towed (likely after a several hour wait), no one was able to drive their car away before the tint was made legal.

Wow!!!
Maybe we should be a little more appreciative of the gang & gun violence here in the Toronto area - keeps the cops too busy from doing stupid sheit like that.

StarMan · 07-23-2018, 08:38 AM

If your main goal is to just reduce heat then get either 3M Crystalline 90 or Llumar Air Blue 80 (essentially clear films). Both those films have heat rejection equivalent to Dye based 50% film without the darkness\shade.

If you are wanting it mainly for looks then get darker rears and get a 70% tint for the sides. The darker rears will make the front sides look darker than it really is at certain angles. While still look clearish, when looking straight through. **Personally I'm not a fan of mismatched tint percentages but to each their own.

Although it does not apply for NJ (as it's nothing on front, and whatever for the rest), just a reminder......

If you are getting legal tint, you'll want to get a film that has a VLT% (visible light transmitted) of 7% or more than the legal. This is because the factory car has some percentage of tint.

Eg. If your state law is 50% max low tint
Suntek CXP 55 = 54% Film + Installed on BMW Window = 47% (FAIL)
Suntek CXP 70 = 63% Film + Installed on BMW Window = 56% (PASS)

lateapex'er · 07-24-2018, 08:28 AM

I live in Central Jersey. I have 35% all around on my car and most of my friends all have 30% and no one has ever gotten a tint ticket in the last five years. Usually anything 25% and under is when you start getting noticed and ticketed.

Check out Elite Tinting is South Amboy, they did my car.
Ask for Jason tell them Dan sent you!

rainfall · 07-25-2018, 12:57 PM

sort of an unrelated topic, consider using a tint that also blocks the sun heat (infra red, in addition to UV). It makes a whole world of difference in driving comfort.

Joeybarb87 · 10-15-2023, 03:13 PM

Bringing tint alive again in 2023, new ‘24 coupe, can I get away with 30-35% on front windows, not windshield?

TrboMike · 10-16-2023, 12:15 PM

My experience: I lived in NYC for years. None of my cars had a front plates. All were tinted. I'd get pulled over for the tint many times, a few times I'd get a tint or front plate ticket INSTEAD of a speeding ticket if I had a good chat with the cop. Sometimes if the cop was saucy or didnt like my rap to get out of it, I'd get a ticket on top of the speeding.

Then I moved to NJ, kept the NY reg and plates for many years (NY doesnt take out of state points for moving violations). Never got pulled over once just for tint or plate, but I had NY plates. If I got pulled for speeding, tints or plate was not even brought up as I was out of state. One time I went thru an inspection sticker checkpoint and the first cop in the street goes "pull over over there" and the cop in the line goes "oh, you're NY just leave".

Now the relevant part of my long wind: I switched to NJ plates 10+ years ago. Only once did I get pulled for front plate and it was a townie who just wanted to harass me for my exhaust but never wrote a ticket. None of my current cars are tinted (I'm old sigh) but I know two people with heavy side and back tint AND front windshield tinted. I told them they're crazy but its been years neither one of them has been pulled over. Kinda shocked.

The popo seem to leave most of the non-moving stuff for inspection to catch now. But both those guys pay for private inspection instead of the free state inspection, where as long as your emissions is good and you pay cash they overlook everything.

07-21-2018, 08:42 AM	#1
GrimJaw First Lieutenant 104 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	What percent window tint can I get away with-NJ? In the Jersey area wondering if anyone knows how much of a tint I can get away with since its illegal to have them on the front windows here. If anyone knows a specific tint place around the area that would be helpful as well!
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07-21-2018, 08:51 AM	#2
USA-RET Captain 605 Rep 970 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue M240i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	https://www.raynofilm.com/blog/autom...-laws-by-state
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07-21-2018, 09:25 AM	#3
GrimJaw First Lieutenant 104 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Yeah no, I know its illegal. Just trying to see if anyone has a certain percentage that cops don't notice.
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07-21-2018, 10:54 AM	#5
petegtsv10 Private First Class 75 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Adams, TN iTrader: (0)	Just a technical note: My state, for instance, allows 35% max tint. So, if you have your factory tinted glass (as we all do) and have 35% tint applied on that glass, you will exceed the 35% max allowed. I am not positive that this is how it works, but I have been told so. (I keep my 35% receipt with me just in case) __________________ 2016 M235i convertible 2016 Mercedes AMG GTS 1966 Corvette roadster
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07-21-2018, 12:19 PM	#6
Sportstick Major General 4650 Rep 6,027 Posts Drives: '15 228i and '24 X3 sDrive30i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Southwest USA iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure how anyone could answer the original question. Are we considering the average LEO, which leaves you open to the more sensitive? The most sensitive LEO who would detect the legal standard from casual observation? The least sensitive LEO who may let it slide if you are behaving otherwise? __________________ 2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV 2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner
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07-21-2018, 03:43 PM	#9
WolfGTI Captain 716 Rep 913 Posts Drives: '17 F22,15 E84 M Sport,02 R53 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00] 2002 MINI Cooper S [0.00] 2015 BMW X1 [0.00]	I live in South NJ - and all of the cars we have are tinted on all windows except the windshield at 30% - haven't had an issue. Last edited by WolfGTI; 07-22-2018 at 09:11 AM..
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07-22-2018, 07:55 AM	#10
gds52 Colonel 886 Rep 2,720 Posts Drives: BMW Z4M Coupe, BMW 328i E93 Co Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	It's just hit or miss. In south jersey I was pulled over for 35% tint and was given warning. I took it off from front. Then put 50% front 35% rear. No issues. I got 50% all around on my Z coupe. No issues. You can do 70% front and 35 or anything rear, that's safest.
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07-22-2018, 09:30 AM	#12
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,987 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Here in NC, it's 35% maximum, with a 3% "tolerance" margin. I moved here from TX where it's 30% max, and had to have both cars re-tinted when they failed the annual NC State inspection. They have a hand-held meter and light source that the State Troopers carry in their cars to check, and the same unit is used at authorized State inspection places. You can't renew your vehicle registration until you pass the State inspection. Some states will allow darker windows on the rear sides and back window, but not here in NC. The local shop I used for the re-tint was well aware of the legal limits and already had a "legal" package available that took into account the factory tint. Strange thing is that there is NO limit in NC for the rear windows on SUVs and limos but the driver and passenger sides have to be 35%. Best thing I can recommend is to check NJ State laws and talk to a couple of tint shops to find out what the "tolerance" factor is. But if there is a law that says 35% is the max, 30% is NOT going to pass. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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07-22-2018, 10:10 AM	#13
vinnypuchik New Member 9 Rep 15 Posts Drives: m240i xDrive Join Date: May 2018 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	On my old car I had 20% on all windows except the windshield. Only got stopped 2 or 3 times in 6 years. It's really hit or miss. Haven't tinted my new m240 yet.
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07-22-2018, 10:38 AM	#15
USA-RET Captain 605 Rep 970 Posts Drives: Estoril Blue M240i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	FWIW, trying to get-away w/ anything is "borrowing trouble". Cost of the fine and the subsequent removal doesn't make good sense to me. Giving LE any reason to pull you over is something I wouldn't do. https://poststar.com/news/local/law-...d62d4f954.html I had tints done locally and the "tinter" told me he never installs tints to windows that go against state law. From his perspective he doesn't want LE to come back to him charging illegal installations. Unlikely - yes But from his perspective he doesn't need the grief.
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07-22-2018, 11:37 AM	#16
aerobod Car Geek 3612 Rep 3,579 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	A few years ago the RCMP here in Alberta pulled over a car cruise at the side of the highway with approximately 100 cars in it (my son owned one of the cars). They tested the tint on each car and handed out razor blades to more than half the people whose cars failed the test, to strip the tint at the side of the road. The alternative was a ticket and the car to be towed (likely after a several hour wait), no one was able to drive their car away before the tint was made legal.
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07-23-2018, 08:38 AM	#18
StarMan First Lieutenant 352 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 17' M2 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	If your main goal is to just reduce heat then get either 3M Crystalline 90 or Llumar Air Blue 80 (essentially clear films). Both those films have heat rejection equivalent to Dye based 50% film without the darkness\shade. If you are wanting it mainly for looks then get darker rears and get a 70% tint for the sides. The darker rears will make the front sides look darker than it really is at certain angles. While still look clearish, when looking straight through. Personally I'm not a fan of mismatched tint percentages but to each their own. Although it does not apply for NJ (as it's nothing on front, and whatever for the rest), just a reminder...... If you are getting legal tint, you'll want to get a film that has a VLT% (visible light transmitted) of 7% or more than the legal. This is because the factory car has some percentage of tint. Eg. If your state law is 50% max low tint Suntek CXP 55 = 54% Film + Installed on BMW Window = 47% (FAIL) Suntek CXP 70 = 63% Film + Installed on BMW Window = 56% (PASS)** Last edited by StarMan; 07-25-2018 at 01:28 PM..
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07-24-2018, 08:28 AM	#19
lateapex'er Second Lieutenant 123 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2014 228i M-Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: NJ/MD iTrader: (4)	I live in Central Jersey. I have 35% all around on my car and most of my friends all have 30% and no one has ever gotten a tint ticket in the last five years. Usually anything 25% and under is when you start getting noticed and ticketed. Check out Elite Tinting is South Amboy, they did my car. Ask for Jason tell them Dan sent you! Attached Images
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07-25-2018, 12:57 PM	#20
rainfall First Lieutenant 162 Rep 395 Posts Drives: A Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: West coast iTrader: (0)	sort of an unrelated topic, consider using a tint that also blocks the sun heat (infra red, in addition to UV). It makes a whole world of difference in driving comfort.
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10-15-2023, 03:13 PM	#21
Joeybarb87 New Member 10 Rep 25 Posts Drives: Mercedes ML350, BMW 430i Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW 430i Xdrive [0.00]	Bringing tint alive again in 2023, new ‘24 coupe, can I get away with 30-35% on front windows, not windshield?
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10-16-2023, 12:15 PM	#22
TrboMike First Lieutenant 142 Rep 345 Posts Drives: BMW M240ix Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: 07508 iTrader: (0)	My experience: I lived in NYC for years. None of my cars had a front plates. All were tinted. I'd get pulled over for the tint many times, a few times I'd get a tint or front plate ticket INSTEAD of a speeding ticket if I had a good chat with the cop. Sometimes if the cop was saucy or didnt like my rap to get out of it, I'd get a ticket on top of the speeding. Then I moved to NJ, kept the NY reg and plates for many years (NY doesnt take out of state points for moving violations). Never got pulled over once just for tint or plate, but I had NY plates. If I got pulled for speeding, tints or plate was not even brought up as I was out of state. One time I went thru an inspection sticker checkpoint and the first cop in the street goes "pull over over there" and the cop in the line goes "oh, you're NY just leave". Now the relevant part of my long wind: I switched to NJ plates 10+ years ago. Only once did I get pulled for front plate and it was a townie who just wanted to harass me for my exhaust but never wrote a ticket. None of my current cars are tinted (I'm old sigh) but I know two people with heavy side and back tint AND front windshield tinted. I told them they're crazy but its been years neither one of them has been pulled over. Kinda shocked. The popo seem to leave most of the non-moving stuff for inspection to catch now. But both those guys pay for private inspection instead of the free state inspection, where as long as your emissions is good and you pay cash they overlook everything.
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