Window Tint Ticket
 

Hey all,

I bought a used Black 2004 RX8 about a year ago. Pretty much all the windows (except windshield) are tinted. I guess I assumed that this was stock tinting - never really gave it much thought to be honest. Anywho, I got pulled over today by a cop with nothing better to do in a school zone and I got a "fix it ticket" due to my window tinting being too much. He measured the window at 14% and the law here in Oregon is 38%.

I guess I'm wondering, does the car come stock with tinted windows? I'm hoping that it comes from the MFG this way and I can argue my way out of it. Other than that, my only way out of the ticket is to remove the tint. I'd hate to as it looks so damn sexy as it is. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Josh

If it does come stock with tint, it's definitely not that dark of tint. I'm thinking you're going to have to remove it. I've had to do it before and I know what ya mean, it sucks, but not really a way around it.

No OEM tint (especially not that dark!!!)
Remove it, or deal with the consequences :)

there is oem tint but it's in the 80 something % range. not enough to really notice. 15% means you have aftermarket tint for sure.

It has a tint just to reduce the UV rays that deteriorate the interior. It is only noticeable if you hold a piece of white paper behind the windows.
In my state, until recently, any tint was illegal. A fellow RX8 owner was ticketed for having the stock tint. That law has now changed.

Shitty. Figures. What a stupid law. The cop explained to me how important the law was, that he needed to see be able to see my face. Yeah, sure. I also have a motorcycle and my full-face helmet is legal. I call bullshit. He also commented that with that dark of a tint it must be hard to see out of my windows... it's not. Not at all.

Lame

Thanks for the heads up, all.

when i get pulled over i just roll down the windows. and mine test at like 12% or something ridiculous. no issues so far!

Yeah Roll down some windows when that happens and you'll be good usually.

The police usually don't like tint because it makes it difficult to see in. It's a safety issue. If they can't see in, they can't see if you have a gun waiting. They are kinda out in the open during a traffic stop.

i dont think you quite get it. it has nothing to do with seeing your face. its about not being able to see inside the vehicle and check for any weapons. i dont think you would be able to carry one in your helmet anyway.

and if you do get pulled over, just lower your windows all the way down. but if he already saw you then your screwed.

i have 5% rears and 12% front doors windows and here in cali, were not allowed to tint the front doors what so ever, but a lot of people do it. as long as you dont give the officer a reason to pull you over, such as erratic driving or speeding, you probably wont get ticketed [unless theyre missing out on their quota]

ive been pulled over for this also. 5% rear, back sides, and 8" strip on winsheild, 15% on front doors. being a black car it looks dark. ive been told to take it off just never did. as far as the safety goes, i have a ccw permit and always carry at least one gun. when i get pulled over and the cop runs my plate it comes up on his computer that i have a carry permit.

i have a friend whos dad was a jersey stste trooper and was shot and killed by some dick running drugs in a tinted car. i can see why they dont like tint, so to put their mind at ease when i get pulled over i lower both windows and put my hands on the wheel or out the window. then tell them i have a weapon on me which is not required but i often get alot of leeway for doing so.

i dont think its fair that we have to obey certain laws and cops dont, such as speed limits and tint. several trooper cars are 5% every window

I also have been pulled over and ticketed for my 8% tint on my windows! i did not know how dark it was until he measured it and i loved it since i had an Rx-8 that showed up 8% tint! Was dope. I sold the car and never removed the tint but now i have a White Rx8 and im going to be putting 5% tint with a 8" strip on the front..

so when im in my car i can :weedpoke:

www.tintlaws.com

Maybe one should check first? It's up to you, but as you well know....."ignorance is no excuse".

If you go darker, well..............gotta pay to play.

DO THIS- Go to a local tint shop, and ask them if there is any way you could pay them for a tint removal receipt. (some of the tint shops round here are really cool and will give you one for like $50 (since tint costs $150 or so its much better than ripping it off then puting it back down))

Take the receipt to the court and get it dropped.

it's one of those "lesson learned" situations. I have lived in Cali for the last 35 years and have tint on the front side windows in every car I've owned. I like the way it looks, i like how it keeps the car cooler, and I like that it blocks UV.

I've been pulled over many times in my life for various reasons and I have always rolled down the windows before coming to a stop. I've never received a tint fix it ticket (knock on wood). I personally think that having the windows down, the engine off, the music off, and my hands at 10 and 2 when the officer walks up has all helped.
Another tip, wait until the officer is standing next to you before reaching for anything... also make sure to tell him what you're about to reach for and make sure he acknowledges you before making any sudden movements.
I was driving a work van in LA years ago and was pulled over. I was in a hurry and was completely clueless about why i was being pulled over (a homeless guy had stumbled into the crosswalk from the curb, i saw him do it and saw him jump back onto the sidewalk before i went through). When I came to a stop I started looking for my wallet and the papers for the work van.
I really wasn't paying attention till i heard "Put your hands out the window, NOW!" I looked in the side view mirror to see the officer coming up with his gun drawn and a very pissed look on his face. I don't think I have ever got my hands up and out or as far outside of a car as i did that day. :)

^ nice man ;)

i always try to help people learn from mistakes that cause me to shart

leave it, tint is worth the tickets