Kentucky introduced their window tint legislation in nineteen ninety-five and became the twenty-fifth state to introduce specific legislation that regulated, among other things, tint percentage. We’ve compiled all the legal information currently available concerning window tinting in Kentucky and the legislation that the state expects drivers to adhere to when having the windows of their vehicle tinted.
Kentucky State Automotive Tinting Rules
How Dark Can A Window Tint Be In Kentucky?
Windshield: Kentucky allows a single, non-reflective tint on the windshield that must be fitted above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
Front Side Windows: Tints fitted on the front side window of a vehicle must allow more than thirty-five percent of light in
Back Side Windows: Tints fitted to both back side windows must allow more than eighteen percent of light in.
Rear Window: Tints fitted on the read window must allow more than eighteen percent light in
How Reflective Can Window Tints Be In Kentucky?
Front Side Windows: Both front side windows must be no more than twenty-five percent reflective
Back Side Windows: Both back side windows must be no more than twenty-five percent reflective
Other Kentucky Automotive Window Tinting Rules And Regulations
Restricted Colors: There are no specifically banned tint colors in Kentucky
Side Mirrors: There are no side mirror restrictions
Certificate Requirements: Manufacturers of film need to ensure that the film is certified in Kentucky. Make sure that the auto shop fitting the tint is using state-certified film.
Sticker Requirements: The sticker identifying legal tinting needs to be placed on the inside of the driver’s door jamb.
Medical Exemption: Kentucky doesn’t appear to have a medical exemption policy.
Kentucky Tint Law References
Exterior Window VLT Tint
How Much Does Window Tinting Cost In Kentucky?
The cost of having window tints fitted in Kentucky depends on two factors. Are you having your old tints removed and new ones fitted, or just looking to have new window tints in your car?
If it’s the former, it’ll cost between three hundred and four hundred dollars depending on which dealership you use, but if it’s the latter the cost will be significantly reduced and on average should cost no less than one hundred and eighty dollars and no more than two hundred and fifty.
Costs include labor and vary according to what type of tint (film, ceramic or metallic) that you choose to fit in your car.
How Does Car Window Tinting Work?
When you tint a window, a lightweight film is applied to the inside pane of the glass. It is not applied to the outside of the glass. This is to protect the tinting from wear and tear, flying debris, and harsh sunlight.
The first layer will be a strong polyester laminate which should improve the performance of the windows. The polyester is a transparent film.
The next film will have tinting agents like metals and dyes, which create the shading effect. This is the layer that blocks UV rays to protect your skin from overexposure to harsh sunlight.
What Is The Best DIY 35% Tinting Product?
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to find a tint that will actually work well on your car, especially if you buy it online. We have done a lot of research to figure out the best tinting product to apply to your vehicle yourself, and we recommend using the MKBROTHER.
Why Is This The Best?
We praise MKBROTHER so highly because of their easy-to-apply directions, their 99% UV blocking, and their scratch-resistant materials.
The MKBROTHER has a strong tint which allows in visible light but rejects the heat of the sun and the UV rays up to 99% while still sticking to the 35% restriction. This blocking doesn’t create a glare which means you won’t be distracted by the moving sunlight. The lack of glare also means that your vehicle’s interior won’t be affected by the sun rays, allowing it to stay showroom-ready for longer.
As the film is not made from metal fragments, you don’t have to worry about the tinting blocking any of your technology which normally relies on signaling.
How To Apply To Your Car
The tint is made of an adhesive film, which means all you need to do is apply the tint to the car’s window, with no special equipment on hand.
First, you need to clean the glass on your car to remove any impurities. Next, you want to cut the film to match your car’s window size. We would advise that you check their sizing section before buying, as you will want more than enough to cover your window.
After that, you can pull one corner of the tint’s protective layers to expose the adhesive. You will be given a spray solution. Spray this solution onto the adhesive side of the film and onto the inside of the window you are planning on tinting. At this point, depending on your state, you would apply the legalization sticker.
Lastly, you should place the film onto the window with the adhesive sides connecting. Then flatten out any bubbles which may have occurred in the process. If you have left any film on the edge of the window, you can cut it off with an extractor knife.
Pros & Cons Of DIY vs Professional Fitting
There is an obvious reason for doing a DIY fitting instead of hiring a professional, and that’s the price. DIY tinting is so much cheaper that it is definitely worth considering. This can help you either save money or allow you to buy better quality film without the higher charge that the professional will ask for.
However, there is a reason why professionals charge these higher prices. It’s because creating a seamless installation isn’t always easy. If you put the tinting on incorrectly, it won’t last as long, nor will it protect you as much as it should.
Medical Exemption
Kentucky doesn’t appear to have a window tint medical exemption clause in its legislature, so if you’re unsure whether the state permitted percentages adequately provide for your medical condition, speak to your physician. They’ll be able to advise you about what you need to and can do to ensure that your vehicle is legally compliant and safe for you to drive.