| Back to Tint Laws In PA Homepage | Discussion Board |
Unfortunately, it simply isn't in here!
PENNDOT is entitled to their own opinion, even if it is in contrast to the interpretations of all vehicle manufacturers and all the other states. But their opinion doesn't begin to meet the Burden of Proof necessary to even accuse, much less convict, a citizen of committing a crime.
But most other States, even though they conform to FMVSS205, still allow tinting as low as 25%. Here's a few examples.
State Tint Laws - they all conform to FMVSS205!
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5, Parts 400 to 999]
[Revised as of October 1, 1997]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR571.205]
[Page 439-445]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS6--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Sec. 571.205 Standard No. 205, Glazing materials.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for glazing
materials for use in motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce injuries
resulting from impact to glazing surfaces, to ensure a necessary degree
of transparency in motor vehicle windows for driver visibility, and to
minimize the possibility of occupants being thrown through the vehicle
windows in collisions.
S3. Application. This standard applies to glazing materials for use
in passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses,
motorcycles, slide-in campers, and pickup covers designed to carry
persons while in motion.
S4. Definitions. Bullet resistant shield means a shield or barrier
that is installed completely inside a motor vehicle behind and separate
from glazing materials that independently comply with the requirements
of this standard.
Camper means a structure designed to be mounted in the cargo area of
a truck, or attached to an incomplete vehicle with motive power, for the
purpose of providing shelter for persons.
Glass-plastic glazing material means a laminate of one or more
layers of glass and one or more layers of plastic in which a plastic
surface of the glazing faces inward when the glazing is installed in a
vehicle.
[[Page 440]]
Motor home means a multipurpose passenger vehicle that provides
living accommodations for persons.
Pickup cover means a camper having a roof and sides but without a
floor, designed to be mounted on and removable from the cargo area of a
truck by the user.
Slide-in camper means a camper having a roof, floor, and sides,
designed to be mounted on and removable from the cargo area of a truck
by the user.
S5. Requirements.
S5.1 Materials.
S5.1.1 Glazing materials for use in motor vehicles, expect as
otherwise provided in this standard shall conform to the American
National Standard ``Safety Code for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing
Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways'' Z-26.1-1977, January 26,
1977, as supplemented by Z26.1a, July 3, 1980 (hereinafter referred to
as ``ANS Z26''). However, Item 11B glazing as specified in that standard
may not be used in motor vehicles at levels requisite for driving
visibility, and Item 11B glazing is not required to pass Test Nos. 17,
30, and 31.
S5.1.1.1 The chemicals specified for testing chemical resistance in
Tests Nos. 19 and 20 of ANS Z26 shall be:
(a) One percent solution of nonabrasive soap.
(b) Kerosene.
(c) Undiluted denatured alcohol, Formula SD No. 30 (1 part 100-
percent methyl alcohol in 10 parts 190-proof ethyl alcohol by volume).
(d) Gasoline, ASTM Reference Fuel C, which is composed of Isooctane
50 volume percentage and Toluene 50 volume percentage. Isooctane must
conform to A2.7 in Annex 2 of the Motor Fuels Section of the 1985 Annual
Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 05.04, and Toluene must conform to ASTM
Specification D362-84, Standard Specification for Industrial Grade
Toluene. ASTM Reference Fuel C must be used as specified in:
(1) Paragraph A2.3.2 and A2.3.3 of Annex 2 of Motor Fuels, Section 1
in the 1985 Annual Book of ASTM Standards; and
(2) OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.106--``Handling Storage and Use of
Flammable Combustible Liquids.''
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Copies may be inspected at the Technical Reference Library, NHTSA, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Room 5108, Washington, DC 20590, or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
S5.1.1.2 The following locations are added to the lists specified
in ANS Z26 in which item 4, item 5, item 8, and item 9 safety glazing
may be used:
(a)--(i) [Reserved]
(j) Windows and doors in motor homes, except for the windshield and
windows to the immediate right or left of the driver.
(k) Windows and doors in slide-in campers and pickup covers.
(l) Windows and doors in buses except for the windshield, windows to
the immediate right or left of the driver, and rearmost windows if used
for driving visibility.
(m) For Item 5 safety glazing only: Motorcycle windscreens below the
intersection of a horizontal plane 380 millimeters vertically above the
lowest seating position.
S5.1.1.3 The following locations are added to the lists specified
in ANS Z26 in which item 6 and item 7 safety glazing may be used:
(a)--(i) [Reserved]
(j) Windows and doors in motor homes, except for the windshield,
forward-facing windows, and windows to the immediate right or left of
the driver.
(k) Windows, except forward-facing windows, and doors in slide-in
campers and pickup covers.
(l) For item 7 safety glazing only:
(1) Standee windows in buses.
(2) Interior partitions.
(3) Openings in the roof.
S5.1.1.4 The following locations are added to the lists specified
in ANS Z26 in which item 8 and item 9 safety glazing may be used:
(a)--(e) [Reserved]
(f) Windows and doors in motor homes, except for the windshield and
windows to the immediate right or left of the driver.
(g) Windows and doors in slide-in campers and pickup covers.
S5.1.1.5 The phrase ``readily removable'' windows as defined in ANS
Z26,
[[Page 441]]
for the purposes of this standard, in buses having a GVWR of more than
4536 kilograms, shall include pushout windows and windows mounted in
emergency exists that can be manually pushed out of their location in
the vehicle without the use of tools, regardless of whether such windows
remain hinged at one side to the vehicle.
S5.1.1.6 Multipurpose passenger vehicles. Except as otherwise
specifically provided by this standard, glazing for use in multipurpose
passenger vehicles shall conform to the requirements for glazing for use
in trucks as specified in ANS Z26.
S5.1.1.7 Test No. 17 is deleted from the list of tests specified in
ANS Z26 for Item 5 glazing material and Test No. 18 is deleted from the
lists of tests specified in ANS Z26 for Item 3 and Item 9 glazing
material.
S5.1.2 In addition to the glazing materials specified in ANS Z26,
materials conforming to S5.1.2.1, S5.1.2.2, S5.1.2.3, S5.1.2.4,
S5.1.2.5, S5.1.2.6, S5.1.2.7, S5.1.2.8 and S5.1.2.11 may be used in the
locations of motor vehicles specified in those sections.
S5.1.2.1 Item 11C--Safety Glazing Material for Use in Bullet
Resistant Shields. Bullet resistant glazing that complies with Test Nos.
2, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 32 of ANS Z26 and the labeling
requirements of S5.1.2.5 may be used only in bullet resistant shields
that can be removed from the motor vehicle easily for cleaning and
maintenance. A bullet resistant shield may be used in areas requisite
for driving visibility only if the combined parallel luminous
transmittance with perpendicular incidence through both the shield and
the permanent vehicle glazing is at least 60 percent.
S5.1.2.2 Item 12--Rigid Plastics. Safety plastics materials that
comply with Test Nos. 10, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 24 of ANS Z26, with the
exception of the test for resistance to undilated denatured alcohol
Formula SD No. 30, and that comply with the labeling requirements of
S5.1.2.5, may be used in a motor vehicle only in the following specified
locations at levels not requisite for driving visibility.
(a) Window and doors in slide-in campers and pick-up covers.
(b) Motorcycle windscreens below the intersection of a horizontal
plane 380 millimeters vertically above the lowest seating position.
(c) Standee windows in buses.
(d) Interior partitions.
(e) Openings in the roof.
(f) Flexible curtains or readily removable windows or in ventilators
used in conjunction with readily removable windows.
(g) Windows and doors in motor homes, except for the windshield and
windows to the immediate right or left of the driver.
(h) Windows and doors in buses except for the windshield and window
to the immediate right and left of the driver.
S5.1.2.3 Item 13--Flexible plastics. Safety plastic materials that
comply with Tests Nos. 16, 19, 20, 22, and 23 or 24 of ANS Z26, with the
exception of the test for resistance to undiluted denatured alcohol
Formula SD No. 30, and that comply with the labeling requirements of
S5.1.2.5 may be used in the following specific locations at levels not
requisite for driving visibility.
(a) Windows, except forward-facing windows, and doors in slide-in
campers and pick-up covers.
(b) Motorcycle windscreens below the intersection of a horizontal
plane 380 millimeters vertically above the lowest seating position.
(c) Standee windows in buses.
(d) Interior partitions.
(e) Openings in the roof.
(f) Flexible curtains or readily removable windows or in ventilators
used in conjunction with readily removable windows.
(g) Windows and doors in motor homes, except for the windshield,
forward-facing windows, and windows to the immediate right or left of
the driver.
S5.1.2.4. Item 14--Glass Plastics. Glass-plastic glazing materials
that comply with the labeling requirements of S5.1.2.10 and Test Nos. 1,
2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, and 28, as those tests are
modified in S5.1.2.9, Test Procedures for Glass-Plastics, may be used
anywhere in a motor vehicle, except that it may not be used in
windshields of any of the following vehicles: convertibles, vehicles
that have no
[[Page 442]]
roof, vehicles whose roofs are completely removable.
S5.1.2.5. Item 15A--Annealed Glass-Plastic for use in all Positions
in a Vehicle Except the Windshield. Glass-plastic glazing materials that
comply with Test Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, and 28, as
those tests are modified in S5.1.2.9 Test Procedures for Glass-Plastics,
may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle except the windshield.
S5.1.2.6 Item 15B--Tempered Glass-Plastic for Use in All Positions
In a Vehicle Except the Windshield. Glass-plastic glazing materials that
comply with Tests Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, and 28,
as those tests are modified in S5.1.2.9 Test Procedures for Glass-
Plastics, may be used anywhere in a motor vehicle except the windshield.
S5.1.2.7. Item 16A--Annealed Glass-Plastic for Use in all Positions
in a Vehicle not Requisite for Driving Visibility. Glass-plastic glazing
materials that comply with Test Nos. 3, 4, 9, 12, 16, 19, 24, and 28, as
those tests are modified in S5.1.2.9 Test Procedures for Glass-Plastics,
may be used in a motor vehicle in all locations not requisite for
driving visibility.
S5.1.2.8. Item 16B--Tempered Glass-Plastic for Use in all Positions
in a Vehicle not Requisite for Driving Visibility. Glass-plastic glazing
materials that comply with Test Nos. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16, 19, 24, and 28,
as those tests are modified in S5.1.2.9 Test Procedures for Glass-
Plastics, may be used in a motor vehicle in all locations not requisite
for driving visibility.
S5.1.2.9 Test Procedures for Glass-Plastics. (a) Tests Nos. 6, 7, 8,
9, 12, 16, and 18 shall be conducted on the glass side of the specimen,
i.e., the surface which would face the exterior of the vehicle. Tests
Nos. 17, 19, 24, and 26 shall be conducted on the plastic side of the
specimen, i.e., the surface which would face the interior of the
vehicle. Test No. 15 should be conducted with the glass side of the
glazing facing the illuminated box and the screen, respectively. For
Test No. 19, add the following to the specified list: an aqueous
solution of isopropanol and glycol ether solvents in concentration no
greater than 10% or less than 5% by weight and ammonium hydroxide no
greater than 5% or less than 1% by weight, simulating typical commercial
windshield cleaner.
(b) Glass-plastic specimens shall be exposed to an ambient air
temperature of -40 degrees Celsius (plus or minus 5 degrees Celsius),
for a period of 6 hours at the commencement of Test No. 28, rather than
at the initial temperature specified in that test. After testing, the
glass-plastic specimens shall show no evidence of cracking, clouding,
delaminating, or other evidence of deterioration.
(c) Glass-plastic specimens tested in accordance with Test No. 17
shall be carefully rinsed with distilled water following the abrasion
procedure and wiped dry with lens paper. After this procedure, the
arithmetic means of the percentage of light scattered by the three
specimens as a result of abrasion shall not exceed 4.0 percent.
(d) Data obtained from Test No. 1 should be used when conducting
Test No. 2.
(e)(1) Except as provided in S5.1.2.9(e)(2), glass-plastic glazing
specimens tested in accordance with Test Nos. 9, 12 and 26 shall be
clamped in the test fixture in Figure 1 of this standard in the manner
shown in that figure. The clamping gasket shall be made of rubber 3
millimeters (mm) thick of hardness 50 IRHD (International Rubber
Hardness Degrees), plus or minus five degrees. Movement of the test
specimen, measured after the test, shall not exceed 2 mm at any point
along the inside periphery of the fixture. Movement of the test specimen
beyond the 2 mm limit shall be considered an incomplete test, not a test
failure. A specimen used in such an incomplete test shall not be
retested.
(2) At the option of the manufacturer, glass-plastic glazing
specimens tested in accordance with Test Nos. 9 and 12 may be tested
unclamped. Such specimens shall be tested using the fixture in Figure 1
of the standard, including the upper frame (unclamped) which holds the
specimen in place.
S5.1.2.10 Cleaning instructions. (a) Each manufacturer of glazing
materials designed to meet the requirements of S5.1.2.1, S5.1.2.2,
S5.1.2.3, S5.1.2.4, S5.1.2.5, S5.1.2.6, S5.1.2.7, S5.1.2.8, or S5.1.2.11
shall affix a label, removable by hand without tools, to
[[Page 443]]
each item of glazing materials. The label shall identify the product
involved, specify instructions and agents for cleaning the material that
will minimize the loss of transparency, and instructions for removing
frost and ice, and, at the option of the manufacturer, refer owners to
the vehicle's Owners Manual for more specific cleaning and other
instructions.
(b) Each manufacturer of glazing materials designed to meet the
requirements of paragraphs S5.1.2.4, S5.1.2.5, S5.1.2.6, S5.1.2.7, or
S5.1.2.8 may permanently and indelibly mark the lower center of each
item of such glazing material, in letters not less than 4.5 millimeters
nor more than 6 millimeters high, the following words, GLASS PLASTIC
MATERIAL--SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR CARE INSTRUCTIONS.
S5.1.2.11 Test procedures for Item 4A--Rigid Plastic for Use in
Side Windows Rearward of the ``C'' pillar. (a) Glazing materials that
comply with Tests Nos. 2, 10, 13, 16, 17, as that test is modified in
S5.1.2.9(c) (on the interior side only), 17, as that test is modified in
paragraph (b) of this section (on the exterior side only), 19, 20, 21,
and 24 of ANS Z26.1, may be used in the following specific locations:
(1) All areas in which Item 4 safety glazing may be used.
(2) Any side window that meets the criteria in S5.1.2.11(a)(2)(i)
and (ii):
(i) Is in a vehicle whose rearmost designated seating position is
forward-facing and cannot be adjusted so that it is side or rear-facing;
and
(ii) The forwardmost point on its visible interior surface is
rearward of the vertical transverse plane that passes through the
shoulder reference point (as described in Figure 1 of Sec. 571.210 Seat
belt assembly anchorages) of that rearmost seating position.
(b)(1) The initial maximum haze level shall not exceed 1.0 percent.
The specimens are subjected to abrasion for 100 cycles and then
carefully wiped with dry lens paper (or its equivalent). The light
scattered by the abraded track is measured in accordance with Test 17.
The arithmetic mean of the percentages of light scattered by the three
specimens shall not exceed 4.0 percent after being subjected to abrasion
for 100 cycles.
(2) The specimen is remounted on the specimen holder so that it
rotates substantially in a plane and subjected to abrasion for an
additional 400 cycles on the same track already abraded for 100 cycles.
Specimens are carefully wiped after abrasion with dry lens paper (or its
equivalent). The light scattered by the abraded track is then measured
as specified in Test 17. The arithmetic mean of the percentages of light
scattered by the three specimens shall not exceed 10.0 percent after
being subjected to abrasion for 500 cycles.
S5.2 Edges. In vehicles except schoolbuses, exposed edges shall be
treated in accordance with SAE Recommended Practice J673a, ``Automotive
Glazing'', August 1967. In schoolbuses, exposed edges shall be banded.
S6. Certification and marking.
S6.1 Each prime glazing material manufacturer, except as specified
below, shall mark the glazing materials it manufactures in accordance
with section 6 of ANS Z26. The materials specified in S5.1.2.1,
S5.1.2.2, S5.1.2.3, S5.1.2.4, S5.1.2.5, S5.1.2.6, S5.1.2.7, S5.1.2.8,
and S5.1.2.11 shall be identified by the marks ``AS 11C'', ``AS 12'',
``AS 13'', ``AS 14'', ``AS 15A'', ``AS 15B'', ``AS 16A'', ``AS 16B'',
and ``AS 4A'', respectively. A prime glazing material manufacturer is
one which fabricates, laminates, or tempers the glazing material.
S6.2 Each prime glazing material manufacturer shall certify each
piece of glazing material to which this standard applies that is
designed as a component of any specific motor vehicle or camper,
pursuant to section 114 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety
Act of 1966, by adding to the mark required by S6.1 in letters and
numerals of the size specified in section 6 of ANS Z26, the symbol
``DOT'' and a manufacturer's code mark, which will be assigned by the
NHTSA on the written request of the manufacturer.
S6.3 Each prime glazing material manufacturer shall certify each
piece of glazing material to which this standard applies that is
designed to be cut into components for use in motor vehicles or items of
motor vehicle equipment, pursuant to section 114 of the
[[Page 444]]
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
S6.4 Each manufacturer or distributor who cuts a section of glazing
material to which this standard applies, for use in a motor vehicle or
camper, shall mark that material in accordance with section 6 of ANS
Z26.
S6.5 Each manufacturer or distributor who cuts a section of glazing
material to which this standard applies, for use in a motor vehicle or
camper, shall certify that his product complies with this standard in
accordance with section 114 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act.
[[Page 445]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC01AU91.076
[37 FR 12239, June 21, 1972, as amended at 37 FR 13097, July 1, 1972; 37
FR 24036, Nov. 11, 1972; 37 FR 24826, Nov. 22, 1972; 42 FR 61466, Dec.
5, 1977; 45 FR 47151, July 14, 1980; 46 FR 43690, Aug. 31, 1981; 48 FR
52065, Nov. 16, 1983; 49 FR 6734, Feb. 23, 1984; 56 FR 12674, Mar. 27,
1991; 56 FR 18531, Apr. 23, 1991; 56 FR 49149, Sept. 27, 1991; 57 FR
1654, Jan. 15, 1992; 57 FR 13656, Apr. 17, 1992; 57 FR 30164, July 8,
1992; 57 FR 58150, Dec. 9, 1992; 60 FR 13646, Mar. 14, 1995; 61 FR
41743, Aug. 12, 1996]