I'm sure you know the usual story, but here's the real question.

Cop last night pulls out his meter and certifies that my xB's front windows are legal but my back two are NOT.

"It doesn't matter what the dealership tells you, they don't care. They'll sell it and install it- it's still illegal."

VA is 35%, right?

How can I get something certified that my 100% from the factory tint is legal?

Failing that..... or if it's just too much of a pain...... how do I remove the stock tint? :(

The back windows don't have a film the glass is tinted you would have to replace all of your glass and I would bet that nobody even makes clear glass for scions. (on a side note i saw one once in a magazine and it looked kinda cool.) i couldn't emagine the cost or replacing the rear glass and the rear windows in each door plus the small piece in each door and getting the rear defost and radio antenna in the glass.

The cop has to be wrong. It looks like you get to go to court and fight a ticket. I would get as much documentation as possible about the factory tint. I would also talk to another cop that has one of those meters and explain your story (nicely) and have him test your windows, The cop that gave you the ticket must have a malfuntioning detector.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1052

According to the code, it looks like xBs are in violation, which sucks, unless the xB is considered a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). I didn't see anything in the code about vehicles that come from factory tinted. You should be able to ask a lawyer for some advice without paying him/her any fees.

yeah... there's really no tint (film) on the back windows... so the cop's wrong about dealerships installing anything.

there is no practical way to have your back windows replaced... that means they have to hunt down every single xB in the state and nail them too, as well as perhaps outlaw selling them at all... like that's gonna happen.

go to court, explain that the car came like this from the factory. no film, it's the window, all cars are like that. you shouldn't pay fees for something beyond your control.

Call Scion! <===

Call the Scion Customer Experience at 1.866.70.SCION Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm and Saturday 7am to 4pm PST.

Explain to them that you have just been ticketed in VA for the factory tinted rear windows, that you have not added any tint to the factory windows, and you need their assistance in preparing for your court appearance.

(At the very least you would like a letter FROM SCION explaining to the court that the windows are legal as delivered, and citing both state and federal law if possible.)

The folks at Scion SHOULD be very interested in assisting you.

Please keep us informed!

Idiot VA officer. Typical. Was it near Fairfax by any chance? Those clowns are known for being outlandish. The cop is wrong. Tell him to learn the code or quit his job.

:lol:

I remember watching a news story a few months back about the tint law in VA. They used a PT Cruiser as an example, the rear windows came tinted from the factory and a police officer said it was in violation because of the grade of tinting. I really think it's BS, but I agree with Tomas about getting the letter from Scion, I don't think fighting the ticket in court will help unless you have an explaination from the manufacturer.

This is why I would never live in VA :lalala:

4 years of school there was plenty enough!

I don't know any place short or Mayberry RFD where the cops don't have better things to do!
Sorry, had to vent.
These tools give cops a bad name.
Sorry, but tinted windows hardly rate on the scale of things to track down and cite.
Reminds me of watching these shows where they setup stings to nail the prostitutes/johns. They all get so excited over the catching of these "hardcore criminals" that they pat themselves on the backs and act like they just secured Tehran.
Give me a break, and do something useful.

Waste of taxpayer's money.

Federal law > local law. Anywhere in the US. The xBs rear windows are legal, per federal law, whether or not your state says you cannot have them.

And there is one xB in the US with clear windows all around, He is a former member on SL. It cost him many thousands of dollars to get the windows. He never said how much, but it was somewhere around $5k a set, and he had two imported since the first arrived damaged.

You can fight this and you will win. Toyota sells legal cars.

If you go to court bring your car tax records and inspection information. Politely remind them that the Scions are sold this way. As a side note, the windows are not tinted. There is no film on them. The glass is the color you see it. Also, might want to ask about the thousands of other Scions registered in Virginia that aren't getting tickets, yet have the exact same windows.

Post your court date and location. Maybe we can get some current XB owners to rally at the courthouse and show up as witnesses :)

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1052

According to the code, it looks like xBs are in violation, which sucks, unless the xB is considered a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV).

The xB is classified as an MPV (at least on my 2004). Check your driver side sticker.

Maicca - don't pay the fine. Take it to court. Take a pic of your drivers side sticker and show it to the judge as proof.

Federal law > local law. Anywhere in the US. The xBs rear windows are legal, per federal law, whether or not your state says you cannot have them.

And there is one xB in the US with clear windows all around, He is a former member on SL. It cost him many thousands of dollars to get the windows. He never said how much, but it was somewhere around $5k a set, and he had two imported since the first arrived damaged.

You can fight this and you will win. Toyota sells legal cars.

there is another one btw.....

http://www.tunerzine.com/coverage/82/images/_MG_4602.jpg

carry a box of doughnuts...when he asks for your license and registration, hand them to him. but slip a doughnut underneath. tell him you once personally met don knotts. if nothing else works, tell him you must have tint because you are legally blind and the light hurts yours, then squint a lot. ...just some ideas

I find it too funny that people would PAY extra - lots extra for clear windows when the first thing everyone here tells you to do (after: LOWER IT) is to get tint! :lmao:

Scott

Sorry that I haven't checked on this since the original post.

I was pulled over for another "illegal modification" of my car, not for the tint.

It wasn't what I was ticketed for that got me angry- it was what he said that he was "letting me get away with."


Federal law > local law. Anywhere in the US. The xBs rear windows are legal, per federal law, whether or not your state says you cannot have them.


Where is this stated? As in, the federal law that is greater than the Fairfax County Police?

I mean, IS there a law that's higher than the FFX police? :P

Title or Registration will call the xB a SUV/MPV and that's all you need to show it's legal.

Federal law > local law. Anywhere in the US. The xBs rear windows are
legal, per federal law, whether or not your state says you cannot have them.


Where is this stated? As in, the federal law that is greater than the Fairfax County Police?

I mean, IS there a law that's higher than the FFX police? :P

Heheheheheh... The VA law on window tints and obstructions starts out with these words:
§ 46.2-1052. Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful
for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or
tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side
windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle.
I strongly suspect that the multibillion dollar Toyota Motor Company, its engineers, designers,
and lawyers, know a lot more about what is legal on a vehicle under federal (and state) laws
than your common LEO...especially since they sell what, a million plus vehicles here in the US
every year? :P

Tom

well.. in that case.. you're still okay because the windows don't have any film or material on them....

it's the windows themselves. soo umm.. instead of on them.. it's in them. :)

I can't help but think of all of the panel-sided vehicles I see that are perfectly legal because they have two exterior mounted rear view mirrors.

good ol fairfax cops...can't say enough about them.... :/

Where is this stated? As in, the federal law that is greater than the Fairfax County Police?

I mean, IS there a law that's higher than the FFX police? :P

There is, its just Fairfax Co PD doesnt realize it.

Wow, im good. Too good sometimes. How did I guess that Fairfax pulled you over? Oh, wait I live over 70 miles from there and their reputation is well known amongst DC metro car owners.

I live in VA. Your tint is Legal. This was updated March 29 2006. And is the current laws. For VA, its 50% on front windows, 35% on all others. And no tint on windshield. You can fight this.


Excelent info here.
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Consumer_Info/auto_statelaws.html

Thanks for all of the replies!

I printed out the PDF of the IWFA's chart, even though it states that there could be errors, not legal, etc.

Yeah, as long as an xB is considered a MPV, we can tint the back windows pitch black and they can't do anything about it!! :rofl: Well, besides pull me over for my oh-so quiet exhaust.

When I was growing up, I always went by the rule that if you have dual side mirrors, you could tint the back whatever you wanted. In recent years, that must have changed- looks like the current law was passed in 99?

Now, we need to work on those ride height and exhaust restrictions :come:

the federal law being referred to is FMVSS-205

FMVSS-205 overrides any state or local law prohibiting window film on the rear of SUV's/MPV's. The feds always get the last say-so. The cop is wrong. Period. Courts exist not only to punish you, but to also protect you from incorrect prosecutions. Use it to your advantage.

guys i own a tint shop in va.Just go to court take pics showing that it is not a film on the windows.the judge will throw it out.might want to redo your fronts to 50%.
-motts

i did a window for a trooper in stuanton va whos glass was all blacked out , i ask him what the legal limit was and he told me 35% for the back and 50% for all side glass and a 4 inch band across the top fromnt

I went to court in faiarfax back in april for the exhaust and tint on my matrix. the judge said that in Northern Va tint is illegal for national security reasons they must be able to look in all vehicles. This judge is female about early to mid 40's i think and she doesn't care about any factory tinted vehicles or proof that they are made that way so definitely bring a lawyer. She told me that if people buy vehicles equipped with such items then we are targets. I explained that I work for Koons Tysons Toyota Scion and they do roll off the assembly lines in that matter her response was that people should not buy them. So I think Va should be called the Communist state not the Commonwealth.

I went to court in faiarfax back in april for the exhaust and tint on my matrix. the judge said that in Northern Va tint is illegal for national security reasons they must be able to look in all vehicles. This judge is female about early to mid 40's i think and she doesn't care about any factory tinted vehicles or proof that they are made that way so definitely bring a lawyer. She told me that if people buy vehicles equipped with such items then we are targets. I explained that I work for Koons Tysons Toyota Scion and they do roll off the assembly lines in that matter her response was that people should not buy them. So I think Va should be called the Communist state not the Commonwealth.

Sweet! My dream about going to work in a Hamster Bubble is coming true! God Bless VA! :crazy:

wow! national security?! people should not buy them??



....sounds like someone (not Jenny) was on her rag!

Not offensive at all.

fixed! :lalala: :P

besides, I know you'd never be that lame!

I took a quick look on the net and didn't find any applicable changes to the code (but I'll let you know if I find something... I spend alot of time in VA).

The law is pretty clear in that you can't apply "sun-shading or tinting film." As others have noted, this is factory installed and not a mod you made. Looking at this code it seems as thought the factory could make the windows as dark as they like as long as it is not a something applied to the window after the fact.

Good luck fighting this ticket. Damn shame it happened. Let us know what happened.

Everything is illegal in VA, now we cant even drive around stock vehicles?

Everything is illegal in VA, now we cant even drive around stock vehicles?

that is why virginia is a Kommenwealth, just like the Republic of Kalifornia . . .lol

Pennsylvania is also a commonwealth, but they're not nearly as strict with these sorts of things. I think the whole "difference" between states and commonwealths is pretty much baloney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_(United_States)

yeah... california laws blow. i cant even get a god damn intake for my tc. i/h/e, headlights below 22 in., all the goodies are illegal. california is a nice place, but not for the tuner.

Anyone from NC? I heard you can't have tint....are they sticklers for that?

I went to court in faiarfax back in april for the exhaust and tint on my matrix. the judge said that in Northern Va tint is illegal for national security reasons they must be able to look in all vehicles. This judge is female about early to mid 40's i think and she doesn't care about any factory tinted vehicles or proof that they are made that way so definitely bring a lawyer. She told me that if people buy vehicles equipped with such items then we are targets. I explained that I work for Koons Tysons Toyota Scion and they do roll off the assembly lines in that matter her response was that people should not buy them. So I think Va should be called the Communist state not the Commonwealth.

If you had pushed the issue, you could have appealed the decision, had it easily over turned and then also had the judge censured by a review panel for making such an absurd ruling. Illegal in "Northern Virginia", that's a load of garbage.

and in reference to getting the clear glass versions Max(?) referred to, someone said it's funny that someone would spend that much to go the opposite mod direction and get CLEAR glass, that's not the humorous part. The funny part is the owner of that car is a window tinter. :rofl: (it's the orange xB on the newscionparts website)

It would be a cold day in hell before I let them get away with a ridiculous ruling like that.

I've had VA legal tint jobs on every car I have owned in Virginia, which is 50% on the sides and 35% on the back and small rear windows. I never got crap from cops about my tint even driving right past them or next to them.

They seem to pull people aside that that have a bunch of stuff on their cars because they think of them as people who are always up to something.

It would be a cold day in hell before I let them get away with a ridiculous ruling like that.

I've had VA legal tint jobs on every car I have owned in Virginia, which is 50% on the sides and 35% on the back and small rear windows. I never got crap from cops about my tint even driving right past them or next to them.

They seem to pull people aside that that have a bunch of stuff on their cars because they think of them as people who are always up to something.

That would be me last January on a Sunday. I was headed up to Fatty's in Dupont Circle for a tattoo. I had just got on the HOV and got snagged by Virginia's Finest.

I had a bunch of vinyl on the back windows... and 20% tint all around. The ticket was not too bad since I took the tint off for the court date. Officer said just take it off the two front windows and I'll recommend dropping the charge. I got off free, not even court costs. The guy in front of me wasn't so lucky. He was in the Manassas court for his fifth tint offense in less than a year. He had to drop a couple bills.

geeze, one of the neighboring states is that way down here, they don't care if your out of state or not they'll rip it off infront of you, and arkansas has cops like that, had a friend that got pulled over, the cop wrote him a ticket for a loud sound system... in a warehouse area, when all he had was the subs, no head unit no amps no speakers, when he pointed this out he got another for insubordination(sp?), then he got a little mad, he wound up with 5 tickets his car getting towed and 30 days in jail, the cop wound up paying for everything

I had just got on the HOV and got snagged by Virginia's Finest.Ah ha! That's probably the real reason for the harassment- they want to easily see how many people are in cars for HOV enforcement.

HOV?

high occupancy vehicle.

it's a special lane for rush hour traffic usually. cars with 2 or more people can use it, well on 66 at least. i think the other highways around here are 3 or more.

don't have those here, special lanes for cars carrying more then one person... thats weird

Hmm I live in tn on the state line and go into virginia every now and then. A cop pulls me and my dad over in our srt4 and says son you have an illegal exhaust system in your car. Everything was stock except for blowoff valve. Then he proceded to look under the car and says "where are the mufflers" i reply It comes from the factory with no mufflers. So I had a brochure in my car that did say it had no mufflers . He still didnt believe me. I told him we bought it like this brand new. He says The dealership sold me an illegal car. Hahaha. And since my dad was with me he said we needed to get the exhaust fixed on this thing and said if he saw me again in VA with it like that he was gonna write me a ticket. Thank god we got rid of that machine. Va laws are stupid strict. Good luck.

VA laws do suck, but i have 5% an the back and 35% up front and no problems.