H.B. 74

1

SAFETY INSPECTIONS REGARDING WINDOW
2 TINTING
3 2002 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: DeMar Bud Bowman
6 This act modifies the Motor Vehicle Code by amending the transparency standards for
7 motor vehicle windshields and windows behind the driver.
8 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
9 AMENDS:
10 41-6-149, as last amended by Chapter 233, Laws of Utah 1999
11 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
12 Section 1. Section 41-6-149 is amended to read:
13 41-6-149. Windshields and windows -- Tinting -- Obstructions reducing visibility --
14 Wipers -- Prohibitions.
15 (1) Except as provided in Subsections (2) and (3), a person may not operate a motor
16 vehicle with:
17 (a) a windshield that allows less than 70% light transmittance;
18 (b) a front side window that allows less than 43% light transmittance;
19 [(c) any window, other than the windshield or a front side window, that allows less than
20 28% light transmittance;]
21 [(d)] (c) any windshield or window that is composed of, covered by, or treated with any
22 material or component that presents a metallic or mirrored appearance; or
23 [(e)] (d) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the windshield, sidewings,
24 or side [or rear] windows of the motor vehicle except:
25 (i) a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law; or
26 (ii) the vehicle's identification number displayed or etched in accordance with rules made
27 by the department.

28 (2) Nontransparent materials may be used:
29 (a) along the top edge of the windshield [in an area not to exceed three inches to right or
30 left of center of the windshield] if the materials do not extend downward more than four inches
31 from the top edge of the windshield[;] or beyond the AS-1 line whichever is lowest;
32 (b) in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield provided they do not extend more than
33 three inches to the right of the left edge or more than four inches above the bottom edge of the
34 windshield; or
35 (c) [in the lower left-hand corner of] on the rear [window provided they do not extend
36 more than three inches to the right of the left edge or more than four inches above the bottom edge
37 of the window] windows.
38 (3) A windshield or other window is considered to comply with the requirements of
39 Subsection (1) if the windshield or other window meets the federal statutes and regulations for
40 motor vehicle window composition, covering, light transmittance, and treatment.
41 (4) Except for material used on the windshield [or rear window used] in compliance with
42 [Subsection] Subsections (2)(a) and (b), a motor vehicle with tinting or nontransparent material
43 on any window shall be equipped with rear-view mirrors mounted on the left side and on the right
44 side of the motor vehicle to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the motor
45 vehicle.
46 (5) (a) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning
47 rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be constructed to be operated
48 by the driver.
49 (b) Every windshield wiper on a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.
50 (6) (a) A person may not have for sale, sell, offer for sale, install, cover, or treat a
51 windshield or window in violation of this section.
52 (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
53 (7) Notwithstanding this section, any person subject to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety
54 Standards, including motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, dealers, importers, and repair
55 businesses, shall comply with the federal standards on motor vehicle window tinting.

Legislative Review Note
as of 12-4-01 12:56 PM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel