Window tint and MD state inspection

[Economatic]

Hey everyone. I recently moved back to MD (Chevy Chase/Silver Spring) from ID and I have a bit a of a window tinting problem. I bought a car in ID and promptly had the windows professionally tinted that would meet their regulations (35% up front, 20% in the back). Now I need to register the car in MD and from what I read MD state inspections are uber picky with tint, i.e. one percentage point below fails so i can logically assume even my front windows won't pass in addition to the blatantly illegal 20% on the back windows.

Can anyone share any information or experiences you've had with tint and inspection stations? From what I read, the inspection stations pretty much see tint and shove you off to the state patrol to get it tested before they'll pass the car, is that correct? Any clarification of the process will be greatly appreciated. And that would be great if anyone has any recommendations for inspection stations.

Edit: The car I have is a sedan.

[NissanTy]

the legal tint here is maryland is 35% all around minus the windshield, if you have an suv or truck or van the windows can be limo tint in the back and still pass but the front wondows have to be 35% or lighter tint, and yes maryland is cracking down on dark tint as a few friends of mine got busted with dark tint, good luck to you!

[zluke13]

My tint is way beyond illegal in OR (previous owner was from WA) and they didn't say a word at the inspection.

[ToddG]

Windows tint is supposedly illegal here in Pa and I personally have been fined (about 20 years ago) and made to remove mine.

Stay light on the tint and it's usually not a problem.
Every vehicle I've had since has had lighter tint on it.
I'm running 35% right now.

Check this out if you want to be confused (no it's not a rick-roll I promise).

Proves that there is technically nothing in black and white for Pa laws stating an exact tint level. All they basically say is that "you must be able to see the occupant(s) inside the vehicle" Vague isn't it? Yet they can fine you for it. It's bullsh!t and they know it. It's a money making racket if you ask me. They say it's for officer safety. Okay, makes sense, but I have this to say then: officer can see the driver plain as day but not the two guys with uzi's in the back taking a bead on him/her as they approach the car. Now how is that safer? You can have tint legally in the back, but not from the driver's compartment forward.

When I was fined I asked why it was legal to put it on (shop that installed wasn't in trouble) but it's illegal for me to have it on? Nobody could give me an answer to that.

Sorry Economatic one of your fellow MD guys will have to answer your question or go check the net, you'll probably find some info there like I did for Pa. Good luck bro.

[Bassi_Likes_Trucks]

nissanty is correct. The back is fine for SUVs/Trucks. Have cash on you when you go get it state inspected if you know what i mean, but some techs don't care, or might just mention it to you.

[Economatic]

Yeah, I know it's illegal but only barely and the windows don't look that dark. In comparison to my Frontier with 15% on the front and 5% over the factory tint in the back, the Yaris is nothing. Even more frustrating is that I had the Yaris done professionally and the truck I did myself but the truck doesn't require inspection (wacky MD law: inspection only required if title changes hands so it will never need to be inspected again as long as I own it).

I admit I was alluding to some cash exchange on the side. I've got a hundred dollar bill (maybe more) with someone's name on it, I just don't know who's name it is...

[Economatic]

Come on, nobody else from MD has anything to add?

[drobs]

Not from MD, but front windows that have too much tint is a freebie for cops to pull you over.

[Bads Crew]

Originally Posted by drobs

Not from MD, but front windows that have too much tint is a freebie for cops to pull you over.

Is now against the law for the police to pull you over in Maryland for tinted windows. They need another reason.

Originally Posted by Economatic

Come on, nobody else from MD has anything to add?

Most inspection stations will turn their head on tinted windows and not even make it an issue.

[nismo4x4055]

Here in PA, most places will pass you for inspection with tinted front windows. I would imagine maryland is about the same. Also i think here your ok with 35% up front, same as md. I had 35 on one of my cars a while back, and never got pulled over for it. You should be ok for inspections.