Illegal tint ticket - tinting shop recs & questions
Feb 16, 2009, 08:51 AM
#1
Illegal tint ticket - tinting shop recs & questions
I got a ticket last week for illegal tint from a Dallas County constable. 
It's funny, after 9 months of ownership and 10,000 mi + of driving, it never occurred to me that the tint on the car was illegal, it just came like this. The constable used a meter which read 16%, so that explains why it's always so dark in my car
Does anyone know how Dallas County judges handle this? Is this a "fix it" ticket? Can I just change this out, and show proof to the judge and have it dismissed or the fine lowered?
Does anyone have any recs on cheap competent tinting places in the Dallas area? Last time I got this done was ~5 yrs ago, at a little place on Preston, south of 190, but I don't remember the name, or if they're still there, for that matter.
Thanks, guys!
It's funny, after 9 months of ownership and 10,000 mi + of driving, it never occurred to me that the tint on the car was illegal, it just came like this. The constable used a meter which read 16%, so that explains why it's always so dark in my car
Does anyone know how Dallas County judges handle this? Is this a "fix it" ticket? Can I just change this out, and show proof to the judge and have it dismissed or the fine lowered?
Does anyone have any recs on cheap competent tinting places in the Dallas area? Last time I got this done was ~5 yrs ago, at a little place on Preston, south of 190, but I don't remember the name, or if they're still there, for that matter.
Thanks, guys!
Feb 16, 2009, 09:25 AM
#4
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DFW, Tx
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
man these cops are getting picky!!! WOW....
did you get pulled over for just the tint or something else on top of it?
if you got pulled over for something else other than tint, what I do is turn my car off, and stick both hands out the window so the cop can see you...... you can also roll all your windows down, but some times thats risky because then they will be looking for something with the tint... if you just stick your hands out the window, they feel much safer walking up the car and screw with you less about crappy stuff like no front plate or tint....
did you get pulled over for just the tint or something else on top of it?
if you got pulled over for something else other than tint, what I do is turn my car off, and stick both hands out the window so the cop can see you...... you can also roll all your windows down, but some times thats risky because then they will be looking for something with the tint... if you just stick your hands out the window, they feel much safer walking up the car and screw with you less about crappy stuff like no front plate or tint....
Feb 16, 2009, 09:26 AM
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: houston, born in CHITOWN
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a ticket last week for illegal tint from a Dallas County constable.
It's funny, after 9 months of ownership and 10,000 mi + of driving, it never occurred to me that the tint on the car was illegal, it just came like this. The constable used a meter which read 16%, so that explains why it's always so dark in my car
Does anyone know how Dallas County judges handle this? Is this a "fix it" ticket? Can I just change this out, and show proof to the judge and have it dismissed or the fine lowered?
Does anyone have any recs on cheap competent tinting places in the Dallas area? Last time I got this done was ~5 yrs ago, at a little place on Preston, south of 190, but I don't remember the name, or if they're still there, for that matter.
Thanks, guys!
It's funny, after 9 months of ownership and 10,000 mi + of driving, it never occurred to me that the tint on the car was illegal, it just came like this. The constable used a meter which read 16%, so that explains why it's always so dark in my car
Does anyone know how Dallas County judges handle this? Is this a "fix it" ticket? Can I just change this out, and show proof to the judge and have it dismissed or the fine lowered?
Does anyone have any recs on cheap competent tinting places in the Dallas area? Last time I got this done was ~5 yrs ago, at a little place on Preston, south of 190, but I don't remember the name, or if they're still there, for that matter.
Thanks, guys!
Dude its Texas, they will pull you over for having a smile.
Feb 16, 2009, 09:26 AM
#6
Evolving Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DFW, Tx
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No last time I checked, the rear side windows couldn't be darker than the front windows either..... the rear triangle and the rear window could be whatever, but the side windows had to be the same.... no darker than 30%
Feb 16, 2009, 09:32 AM
#7
Evolving Member
iTrader: (37)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Little Elm TX
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/tint.htm
Trending Topics
Feb 16, 2009, 09:44 AM
#9
Evolved Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dallas / Fort Worth
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wow - they did change it. It now says...
All side windows (front and back) must have at least 25% light transmittance over the entire surface area of the window.
You used to be able to black out the backseat side windows... What a bummer.
All side windows (front and back) must have at least 25% light transmittance over the entire surface area of the window.
You used to be able to black out the backseat side windows... What a bummer.
Feb 16, 2009, 11:21 AM
#11
He paced me for a bit, and my detector went crazy while he got a read, then finally he lit things up. I wasn't speeding, in fact I was sure he was gonna talk to me about no front plate, but he didn't mention that at all.
He said that it being a really bright day, it was pretty clear that my tint was too dark. He had the meter in his hand as he walked up my window, which was already down.
As it happens, the insurance card I had expired two weeks ago, so he wrote that up too, I just hadn't put the new one in the car. He did say though, that the county clerk would just dismiss that one when I showed current proof. For the tint, he said he was no lawyer, but that the judge might take things into consideration if I get it removed or changed out, which is why I asked if this was a "fix it" ticket.
$300
This is why I want to know if the fine can be modified or dismissed. Otherwise I'll be out the re-tint cost plus the fine.
What I wish I knew is, why didn't he give me a warning? I didn't know my tint was illegally dark, I haven't even had the car long enough to get inspected, which would be my only other chance to learn about my tint's being out of spec.
A few years ago, last time I got a vehicle tinted, the shop told me that they're *not even allowed* to do limo tint, bc it's illegal?
Anyways, thx for letting me rant, guys.
GL with the judge
