[Thunder Dump]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

Hey guys, just ordered painted reflectors from JBSpeed and wanted to check the knowledge base in the NE forum. Any idea if I'll fail inspection in MA with painted reflectors? Not sure if they are mandatory in the state? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Every place is different but the reflectors are required by law in all 50 states (federal DOT requirement) and you can definitely be failed for not having them/painting over them. Doesn't mean every place will catch them or care, but if they do fail you they are legally correct in doing so.

[55fanatic]

Originally Posted by Kev

It's 35% for the 4 side windows and back windshield, nothing up front. See state law chart here:

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...%207-19-07.pdf

That PDF is from 07 it looks like... the law has changed since then...

The way it was written or explained during inspection school was nothing on the front windshield... 35% for the front windows(as low as 32% was ok because of margin of error on light meter)... anything else on the rest of the car.

Now its 0 front windshield... 30% on the rest of the car, entirely... I never made it to the inspection school the second time around so I am going off of what my dad says...

[Thunder Dump]

It's still 0% on the windshield (except for the top-most portion) and 35% all around. If you don't have two outside mirrors then you can't have any.

This is the actual text of the law (I bolded the text):

Chapter 90: Section 9D. Windshields and windows obscured by nontransparent materials

Section 9D. No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public way or upon any way to which the public shall have the right of access with any of the following affixed thereto:

(1) a sign, poster or sticker on the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window in such a manner so as to obstruct, impede or distort the vision of the operator.

(2) nontransparent or sunscreen material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film used in any way to cover or treat the front windshield, the side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window, so as to make such windshield and said window glass areas in any way nontransparent or obscured from either the interior or exterior thereof.

This section shall not apply to:

(1) motor vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass areas equipped in accordance with specifications of 49 Code of Federal Regulations 571.205 as authorized by 15 USC 1407.

(2) the use of draperies, louvers, or other special window treatments, except those specifically designated in this section, on the rear window, or a side window to the rear of the driver if the vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

(3) federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, watch guard or patrol agencies licensed under the provisions of section twenty-five of chapter one hundred and forty-seven and college, university and hospital police agencies appointed under the provisions of section sixty-three of chapter twenty-two C utilizing K-9 teams in a motor vehicle while in the regular performance of their duties provided said motor vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

(4) the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application which has a total visible light reflectance of not more than thirty-five per cent or a visible light transmittance of not less than thirty-five per cent on the side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat, the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat or on the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so that the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

(5) the use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost 6″ along the top of the windshield, provided such strip does not encroach upon the driver’s direct forward viewing area as more particularly described and defined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

(6) a vehicle registered in another state, territory or another country or province.

(7) the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film used in any way to cover or treat the side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat and the rear window so as to make such window glass areas in any way nontransparent or obscured from either the interior or exterior thereof of a private passenger motor vehicle registered under the provisions of this chapter for public livery and hired for that purpose for any period of time which exclusion shall not include a taxicab.

(8) special window treatment or application determined necessary by a licensed physician, for the protection of the owner or operator of a private passenger motor vehicle who is determined to be light or photosensitive. Applications for such exemption based upon such medical reason or reasons shall be made in writing to the medical advisory board established under section eight C. All applications must be supported by a written attestation of a physician licensed to practice in this commonwealth of the necessity thereof. Upon granting of such exemption by the board, the registrar shall issue a sufficiently noticeable sticker to the applicant which shall be affixed to the side window immediately adjacent to the operator. The registrar shall keep a record of all such exemption stickers so issued.

The registrar shall, in accordance with the provisions of section thirty-one, establish rules and regulations to provide standards to measure the aforementioned percentage of reflectance and transmittance of light, and shall provide for testing of any motor vehicle glazing alleged to be in violation of this section. A statement from the registrar attesting that such glazing treated or covered with nontransparent or sunscreen material window application or reflective film is in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be prima facie evidence of such compliance in any prosecution thereof.

No person shall manufacture, sell, offer for sale or trade, equip or operate a motor vehicle in the commonwealth in violation of the provisions of this section; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the manufacture or sale of reflective or nonreflective film in the commonwealth.

Violations of any provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars. Upon a third or subsequent conviction of a violation of the provisions of this section, the registrar shall suspend the operator’s license of a person so convicted for a period not to exceed ninety days.

Also note that last part--third offense is a 90 day license suspension.

[Arustik1]

Originally Posted by Thunder Dump

It's still 0% on the windshield (except for the top-most portion) and 35% all around. If you don't have two outside mirrors then you can't have any.

This is the actual text of the law (I bolded the text):



Also note that last part--third offense is a 90 day license suspension.

Great post

[sesegal99]

Go to a private inspection station and offer them extra monney to disregard the tints and reflectors. Most will accept, no problems.

[TL]

Originally Posted by sesegal99

Go to a private inspection station and offer them extra monney to disregard the tints and reflectors. Most will accept, no problems.

haha that use to work but the law is getting tough and some shops don't want to take the risk of getting caught by undercover inspection teams

[TL]

Originally Posted by 55fanatic

I believe it is 30% all around now and give 3% for light meter error... so you should be able to go as low as 27% and not get in trouble for it

so that's why i got a warning on my tint, my front registered at 27% but my rear windows are much darker and i have black leather seats. i'm still going to change the front tints to 35% to be on the safe side.

[sesegal99]

haha that use to work but the law is getting tough and some shops don't want to take the risk of getting caught by undercover inspection teams

Still works....in Jersey at least.

[Thunder Dump]

Just remember that your glass has some tint to it already (most OEM glass has about 75% 'green tint') for UV protection, etc. If you put 35% on most cars today, the reading on a tint meter will be below 35% (usually around 29-30%) which will make it illegal. Remember, the law doesn't care what you put on, only what the final total is. I know shops around here use 40% or something like that just for this reason. Ask if the tint shop has a meter (they should) and have them show you the reading before you leave.

[TL]

Originally Posted by Thunder Dump

Just remember that your glass has some tint to it already (most OEM glass has about 75% 'green tint') for UV protection, etc. If you put 35% on most cars today, the reading on a tint meter will be below 35% (usually around 29-30%) which will make it illegal. Remember, the law doesn't care what you put on, only what the final total is. I know shops around here use 40% or something like that just for this reason. Ask if the tint shop has a meter (they should) and have them show you the reading before you leave.

thanks for the info....

[jpsum]

Don't go to the dealer for inspection. They are the toughest to pass, usually a longer wait than gas stations and the tech knows your car better than a gas station mechanic (bad in this case).

[Draven]

Originally Posted by sesegal99

Still works....in Jersey at least.

There isn't a bribe that doesn't work in NJ.