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I first obtained it when an Inspection Station showed it to me and said that the State Cop told him that all tint was illegal. Here's That Story
Many Inspection Stations complained that they could not fail vehicles that passed all Regulations, so it was superceded by another Safety Bulletin in 1996
Believe it or not, that's what Police claim gives them the right to stop and cite vehicles. Really!
This Safety Bulletin, designed to misinform PA Inspections Stations about the Laws of the State of PA and the PA Vehicle Inspection Code, is no longer applicable (except as an example of the ingenuity of the State at misconstruing the Law). An Update issued by the Department of Transportation in 1996 admitted that their previous efforts to force Inspection Stations to reject autos with sun screening, even if they met the criteria of the PA Vehicle Inspection Code, were not capable of being enforced. Now the efforts of the State and the police to misinform and deny citizens of their rights under the laws that they are sworn to protect are directed at the citizens themselves. An Officer recently admitted to me, much to my amazement, that they had been instructed that just because an auto complied with all provisions of the PA Inspection Code and had a valid inspection sticker, it was not necessarily legal to operate, and they could stop and cite the owner! Excuse me, officer? |
The following is a Safety Bulletin that can be seen posted in most PA Inspection stations to mislead inspectors and vehicle owners regarding the PA Law about window tinting. Keep in mind that although the original is liberally sprinkled with capital letters and asterisks, it is only the opinion of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and not as important as the PA Law or the PA Inspection Regulations.
Note that it does not state that vehicles with sun screening 'must be rejected', only that they 'should be rejected'. It this a legal opinion or a safety recommendation??
Note also that it says that vehicles meeting federal standards should be accepted!
ALL OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATIONS AND PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE INSPECTION STATION SUPERVISORS SAFETY - - - SAFETY - - - SAFETY
SAFETY BULLETIN B193-2 FEBRUARY, 1993
JEFFREY W. SCHMEHL BERKS COUNTY AVTS R.D. 1 LEESPORT PA 19533
SUBJECT: INSPECTION OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUN SCREENING PRODUCTS
IT HAS COME TO THE DEPARTMENT'S ATTENTION THAT SOME CONFUSION EXISTS CONCERNING THE INSPECTION OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUN SCREENING PRODUCTS. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS BEING PROVIDED IN AN EFFORT TO CLARIFY THE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE VEHICLES. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY ALL INSPECTION PERSONNEL.
WHEN A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUN SCREENING MATERIAL IS SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION, THE INSPECTING MECHANIC SHOULD ASK THE VEHICLE OWNER IF THEY HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT. WHEN A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION IS PRESENTED, THE MECHANIC SHOULD VERIFY THE VEHICLE INFORMATION AND THE WINDOW LOCATIONS EXEMPTED ON THE CERTIFICATE.
THE DEPARTMENT PRESENTLY ISSUES TWO TYPES OF CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AFTER MARKET SUN SCREENING PRODUCTS (PRODUCTS WHICH WERE ADDED TO THE EXISTING VEHICLE WINDOWS).
STANDARD EXEMPTIONS - THIS TYPE OF EXEMPTION IS ISSUED FOR VEHICLES WHICH WERE REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1984, AND WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTER MARKET SUN SCREENING PRODUCT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 8, 1984.
MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS - THIS TYPE OF EXEMPTION AUTHORIZES THE INSTALLATION OF A COLORLESS SUN SCREENING PRODUCT WHICH FILTERS ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT.
THE ATTACHED FACT SHEET DESCRIBES THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUN SCREENING PRODUCTS INSPECTION MECHANICS MAY ENCOUNTER. THIS FACT SHEET ALSO INCLUDES THE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VEHICLE TYPES WHEN A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD ALSO BE REVIEWED BY ALL INSPECTION PERSONNEL.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE VEHICLE CONTROL DIVISION AT (717) 787-2895.
JOHN PACHUTA DIRECTOR BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Inspection Criteria Relating to Sun Screening Products
The following information identifies the different types of sun screening products which inspection mechanics may encounter followed by the inspection requirements for all vehicle types and window locations. See Inspection Station Bulletin B193-2 (dated February 1993) for additional information concerning sun screening products.
FACTORY-TINTED OR PRE-TINTED WINDOWS.
Any vehicle equipped with windows which comply with the Federal Standards for window materials are acceptable for inspection. This includes factory-tinted or pre-tinted windows installed by the vehicle manufacturer or any replacement window which meets the same specifications as those used by the vehicle manufacturer.
AFTER MARKET SUN SCREENING PRODUCTS - (Products which were added to an existing vehicle window.)
PASSENGER CARS FOR WHICH A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED.
WINDSHIELD - After market sun screening products which are not entirely transparent or which encroach upon the As-1 portion of the windshield should be rejected. (This includes the rejection of products which contain a non-transparent design or lettering.)
FRONT SIDE WINGS/FRONT SIDE WINDOWS - After market sun screening products on these window locations should be rejected
WINDOWS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER - After market sun screening products installed on any window behind the driver should be rejected If one or more of the following apply:
1. There is no label permanently affixed between the sun screening product and the glass to which it is applied which contains the product manufacturer's name or registration number and the statement, Complies with VESC-20.
2. The vehicle is not equipped with right and left outside rear view mirrors.
TRUCKS, BUSES, VANS, AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (those built on a truck chassis or specially equipped for off-road use) FOR WHICH A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED.
WINDSHIELD - After market sun screening products which are not entirely transparent or which encroach upon the AS-1 portion of the windshield should be rejected. (This includes the rejection of products which contain a non-transparent design or lettering.)
FRONT SIDE WINGS/FRONT SIDE WINDOWS - After market sun screening products on these window locations should be rejected.
WINDOWS LOCATED BEHIND THE DRIVER - After market sun screening products
installed on any window behind the driver should be rejected if the
vehicle is not equipped with right and left outside rear view mirrors.