Car Tint, or window tinting, is a popular aftermarket modification for vehicles, offering a range of benefits from enhancing privacy to improving the aesthetic appeal of your car. However, regulations surrounding car tint can vary significantly by state. In New Jersey, understanding the specific laws and available exemptions is crucial before you decide to tint your vehicle’s windows. This guide provides expert insights into car tint regulations in NJ, focusing on medical exemptions and how to legally tint your car windows.
Benefits of Car Tint Beyond Aesthetics
While many car owners appreciate the sleek look that tinted windows provide, the advantages extend far beyond mere visual appeal. Car tinting offers significant functional benefits, including:
- UV Protection: High-quality car tint films block a substantial amount of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. This protects both the vehicle’s interior from fading and cracking, and the occupants from potential skin damage and eye strain caused by prolonged UV exposure.
- Heat Reduction: By reducing the amount of solar heat that enters your vehicle, car tint can significantly lower the interior temperature, especially during hot summer months. This leads to a more comfortable driving experience and can reduce the need for excessive air conditioning use, potentially saving fuel.
- Enhanced Privacy and Security: Tinted windows make it more difficult for people to see inside your car, deterring potential theft and protecting your valuables. It also offers increased privacy for passengers.
- Glare Reduction: Car tint minimizes glare from sunlight and headlights, improving visibility and reducing eye fatigue, particularly during dawn and dusk driving.
- Improved Driving Comfort: By reducing heat, glare, and UV rays, car tint contributes to a more comfortable and safer driving environment for both drivers and passengers.
New Jersey Car Tint Laws and Medical Exemptions
New Jersey law has specific regulations regarding windshield and front side window tinting. Generally, non-medical tinting of windshields and front side windows is prohibited. However, New Jersey provides a medical exemption for window sunscreening, allowing individuals with specific medical conditions to legally tint their vehicle windows.
Medical Exemption for Car Tint in NJ: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you have a medical condition that necessitates car window tint for protection from sunlight, New Jersey offers a process to obtain a medical exemption. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved:
Step 1: Application for Medical Exemption
Begin by completing the “Request for Medical Exemption to Apply Vehicle Sun-screening” form (MVC Sunscreening 1). This form is available on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) website. Ensure that your physician completes and signs the medical certification section of the form, detailing your medical condition and the necessity for window sunscreening.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Mail your completed application form, along with the required medical documentation, to the NJMVC Customer Advocacy Office at the following address:
Customer Advocacy Office
Attn: Sunscreening Exemption
PO Box 403
Trenton, NJ 08666-0403
Alternatively, you may be able to submit your application electronically; check the NJMVC website for the most up-to-date submission methods.
Step 3: Await Temporary Approval
After submitting your application, the NJMVC Customer Advocacy Office will review your documentation. If your application is preliminarily approved, you will receive a temporary approval document (“MVC Sunscreening 2”), valid for 60 days, and a “Sunscreening Installation Confirmation” form (“MVC Sunscreening 3”). It is crucial to wait for this temporary approval before proceeding with any window tinting installation.
Step 4: Professional Tint Installation
Once you receive the temporary approval and confirmation form, take these documents to a licensed sunscreening facility in New Jersey. A list of licensed facilities is provided by the MVC for your convenience (see below). The licensed installer will apply the window tint according to your medical needs and will complete and sign the Sunscreening Installation Confirmation page.
Step 5: Keep Temporary Approval in Your Vehicle
Always keep the temporary approval document (“MVC Sunscreening 2”) in your vehicle while driving during the temporary approval period. This document serves as proof of your pending exemption.
Step 6: Submit Installation Confirmation
After the tint installation is complete and the installer has signed the confirmation form, submit the “MVC Installation Confirmation” page back to the Customer Advocacy Office. You can send it via email or mail it to the PO Box listed in Step 2.
Step 7: Receive Permanent Approval
Upon receiving your installation confirmation, the NJMVC will issue a permanent approval document (“MVC Sunscreening 4”). This permanent approval is valid for 48 months and must always be kept in your vehicle. You will need to present this document to law enforcement if requested and for vehicle inspections. As a courtesy, it is advisable to roll down your tinted windows if you are pulled over by law enforcement to avoid any misunderstandings.
Step 8: Renewal of Sunscreening Document
Your medical exemption for car tint is valid for 48 months. To renew your exemption, you will need to submit a new application using the form “MVC Sunscreening 1” before the expiration of your current approval.
Licensed Car Tint Facilities in New Jersey
For your convenience, the NJMVC provides a list of licensed tinting facilities. Using a licensed facility is essential to ensure compliance with regulations and proper installation. Here are some of the licensed facilities in NJ:
Andy’s Window Tint 705 Van Houten Avenue Clifton, NJ 07013 973-779-6442
Electronic Environment 747 Trumbull Ave Lawrenceville NJ 08648 609-393-6695
Imagine Audio 304 Haddonfield Rd. Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Tele # 856-488-1466. http://www.imagineaudio.com/
JG Holdings of New Jersey, Inc. 2439 Route 33 Neptune, NJ 0775 732-774-1800
Fabulous Auto Alarms, LLC 105 Columbia Ave Passaic, NJ 07055 973-955-4390
Richard E. Richie Enterprises Inc. 930 Lacey Road POB 95 Forked River, NJ 08731 (609) 693- 07403
Top Shelf Automotive, LLC 1239 McCarter Hwy Newark NJ 07104 862-902-7888
Coastal Sound Shop Inc. 1102 New Road Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 646-6282
Shore Customs 1213 State Route 35 North Ocean, New Jersey 07712 Phone: 732-988-5600 Fax: 732-676-7741 www.shorecustoms.com
The Window Tinters LLC 520 Fellowship Rd., Unit B204 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 856-812-0607 www.thewindowtintersnj.com
Gabrielle Window Tinting Inc 206 Medford Mt. Holly Rd., Suite C Medford, NJ 08055 856-840-0900
Conclusion: Car Tint and Compliance in NJ
While New Jersey has strict regulations on car window tinting, the medical exemption provides a legal pathway for those who require it for health reasons. By following the outlined steps and utilizing licensed facilities, you can ensure that your car tint is compliant with NJ law while enjoying the numerous benefits it offers. Always keep the official NJMVC approval documents in your vehicle and be prepared to present them when necessary. For further information and to access the required forms, refer to the official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website and related resources.
