19A NCAC 03D .0551      WINDOW TINTING

(a)  All stations performing window tinting inspections shall have a light meter or photometer which has been tested and approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles and that complies with Rule .0552 of this Section. Stations that do not have an approved light meter shall not inspect vehicles with applications of after-factory window tinting. Stations are not required to maintain a light meter in order to perform safety inspections on vehicles without after-factory window tinting.

(b)  Prior to initiating the inspection process, the inspection mechanic shall determine if the vehicle has after-factory window tinting by using an automotive film check card or knowledge of window tinting techniques. If the vehicle has after-factory window tinting but the station does not have a light meter approved by the Division, the mechanic must inform the customer he or she is unable to perform the inspection. The station may not charge for any portion of the inspection.

(c)  The inspector mechanic shall test the photometer calibration against a reference sample of glass provided by the manufacturer prior to testing the after factory window tinting. If the photometer's display is not functioning as designed by the manufacturer or the device exceeds the net light transmission calibration test by plus or minus three percentage points, the unit shall not be used until repaired. Guidelines for photometer calibration tests are as follows:

(1)           The reference glass sample must be clean and free of dirt prior to performing the calibration check.

(2)           If a reference glass sample has been broken or is missing, the test shall not be performed and the mechanic shall inform the customer he is unable to perform the inspection.

(d)  The inspection mechanic shall perform all tests according to the photometer manufacturer's recommendations. Window tint shall fail safety inspection if:

(1)           Any window on the vehicle with after-factory tint has a light transmittance of less than 32 percent;

(2)           The tint on any window is red, yellow, or amber;

(3)           The tint on the windshield extends more than five inches below the top of the windshield or is below the AS1 line of the windshield, whichever measurement is longer; and

(4)           The light reflectance of a tinted window is not 20% or less.

(e)  Window tinting on vehicles with after-factory window tint shall not be inspected if the vehicle is exempt from the window tinting restrictions under G.S. 20-127(c).

(f)  The fee as specified in G.S. 20-183.7(a) for inspecting window tinting shall be charged for vehicles with after factory tint, unless the light transmission exceeds 65 percent.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-127; 20-183.7(a);

Temporary Adoption Eff. November 1, 1995 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;

Eff. February 1, 1996;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.