The Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Window Tinting Questions in CA
There are window tinting restrictions set in California and is governed by California Vehicle Code section 26708. However, it’s a bit confusing to determine what is and isn’t allowed, especially when the law isn’t enforced equally. This post will answer the most commonly asked questions about California's window tinting restrictions.
What Can You Put on Your Car Windows
Based on the California Vehicle Code section 26708 (a) VC, no object or material should be displayed, placed, installed, affixed, or applied on the windshield or side or rear windows.
Also, there should be no material or anything that can obstruct or reduce the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows.
What Is the Amount and Type of Tinting Allowed on Car Windows
The vehicle code allows for see-through tinted materials on windows based on the following:
- The material’s bottom edge is at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver’s seat when measure from a point five inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver’s seat in its rearmost and lowermost position and the vehicle is on a level surface.
- The material is not red or amber.
- The material doesn’t contain opaque lettering and any other lettering.
- The material doesn’t reflect sunlight or headlight glare.
A clear material may be applied to car windows if:
- It has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.
- The window glazing meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 requirements. This includes the 70 percent allowable light transmittance and abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing.
- The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of existing window glass that can block UV rays.
- The driver has a certificate from the company that installed the window tint that states it meets all the requirements.
What Are the Consequences When You Get Caught with Tinted Windows That Don’t Comply with the Restrictions
You could get a fix-it ticket, a notice from the law enforcement officer stating what’s wrong with your car. It also comes with a warning to ensure your vehicle complies with the vehicle code as soon as possible.
On the other hand, if the officer you encounter is feeling not too generous, you may face a low-level violation of the law, which is also referred to as an infraction. Usually, you will be fined for this. The amount will be dictated by the California Uniform Bail Schedule.
However, certain counties such as Fresno, Tulare, Madera, and Kings counties are allowed by the state to exceed the Total Bail Amounts for traffic infractions.
How to Get Window Tinting in California
If you want to tint your car, truck, or motorcycle windows, you can get them tinted at many tint shops, dealerships, and even chain stores. However, make sure you are getting the right material and tinting based on the requirements.
Get Your Car Windows Tinted Properly
Regarding window tinting in California, there are certain restrictions on what you can and can’t apply to your car windows and windshield. The most important restriction to remember is that your windows must allow you to see clearly through them. You must also understand what the law regarding window tinting in California is.
Trust only a reliable car window tinting in Madera, CA, here at Cen Cal Tinting. We are a trusted auto restyling shop in Fresno—from window tinting, paint protection film, and ceramic coatings to vehicle wraps. Contact us!
Take a look at our results.
What our customers think
Had our 2025 Tesla Model 3 tinted by Cen Cal Tinting and the whole experience was top notch. The quality of the work speaks for itself — super clean install, no bubbles, and the heat rejection is noticeable right away. What really made it stand out though was the customer service. You can tell they really care about their work and their customers. Highly recommend Cen Cal Tinting if you want it done right.
Took my Camry in for a i3 ceramic all around plus the air ceramic for the front windshield. Very pleased how it turned out. Highly recommend them. They are very professional and scheduling with them was very easy. And plus, they give you a lifetime warranty on their films.
This is my 4th car along with several referrals I have brought to this company to work on my vehicles. They have done a fantastic job on each one of them. On this particular one they did 15% tint over the factory tinted glass and 35% on the sides with a 5% windshield strip. Looking forward to all my future cars to this company. They typically complete the job in a few hours and are very connected via text message.
We Are Here To Help
We specialize in window tinting, paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coating, paint correction, and vehicle wraps. Whether you’re looking for heat rejection, gloss enhancement, or full protection, we’ve got you covered.
Absolutely. Many customers drop off their cars before work or leave them overnight. Just let us know what works best for your schedule and we’ll accommodate.
We’re located in Clovis, CA, and proudly serve Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley. Our shop is easy to find, and we’re just minutes away from most parts of Fresno.
You can call, text, or request a quote online in under a minute. We’ll just need your vehicle year, make, model, and what service you’re interested in to get you an accurate estimate.
We recommend booking an appointment to avoid wait times, but walk-ins are welcome when we have availability. Feel free to call or text us to check for same-day openings.
Yes — we recommend giving your car a basic exterior wash before your appointment. This helps us avoid rubbing dry dirt or dust into the paint when working on your vehicle, which can cause scratching. It also makes it easier for us to get great photos of your car when it’s all done!
Yes! We offer buy now, pay later options through providers like Affirm, Afterpay, and others — so you can split your purchase into easy payments. Just ask us for more details when booking.
We work on nearly all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, Teslas, luxury, and exotic cars. It’s rare that we come across something we can’t work on — but if you have a unique vehicle, feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to confirm.
