Auto Window Tint, question re inspection, legal (Raleigh: attorney, inspector)

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

You know I've always wondered why they charge an extra $10 if you have tinted windows....????????? Anyone know?

Just an extra way to make money. All the mechanic does is put a little light transmittance test thingamabob on one of the windows and it reads the percentage. Hardly any "labor" at all.

As far as knowing someone who will pass it, they are out there. Ask around, look for the employee or a friend with dark tint and ask where they get it inspected. Ofcourse, you can still get a ticket for it either way....

If you do get a window tint ticket, NC General Statute says you have 15 days after getting the ticket to have it removed and inspected at a DMV office. If all is good, the ticket is dropped.

[Deez Nuttz]

It is true there are inspectors that will give you an "under the table" inspection/sticker, the thing is sometimes an inspector who inspects the inspector will pose as the average joe bringing in his car.

He will then see if the inspection station is willing to have the integrity to not pass the undercover inspector's car for illegal window tint/burned out lights/non working e-brake/removed emission controls....or if they'll just slap a new sticker in the window and tell him to have a nice day.

But now if you can become friends with the inspector at the inspection station and get to know him and him get to know you respectively, he may be willing to tell you to "fix it, here's your sticker, see ya later." He does this because 1. you're a friend and 2. he knows you're not an undercover inspector looking to nab him of his illegal practices.

Carolina_native I kind of figured it was just another way to make a few extra bucks. It's a crock of **** if you ask me.

[Stripes17]

My DS has told me of several times where LEO's have walked through the local High School parking lot inspecting tint and issued tickets for illegalities.

[Deez Nuttz]

Those LEO's must not have anything better to do if all they do is prowl the parking lot looking to write tickets.

[Stripes17]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

Those LEO's must not have anything better to do if all they do is prowl the parking lot looking to write tickets.

That's pretty much what the DS had to say too!

[jesseschulman]

Thanks everyone, I'll just change my 20 to 35 on my back windows. A friend of mine owns a business and has tinted every car I have owned so he should give me a break.

[blkmagik98]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

Yep, I've used such sources in the past, and it seems they all get busted sooner or later and that guy will probably loose his certification, and with the fact that all inspections are now tracked online you better keep your razor blade scrapper handy.

And I bet ya that no newcomer knows any good 'ol boy that will give them an inspection sticker.

Yep, but I can tell you a place in Raleigh that will pass it for a 'nominal' (read $40) fee ....just had mine done today and the guy told me that my windows only pass 6.6%. I bought the car with that tint on it and it had an inspection sticker from the month before I bought the car.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by blkmagik98

Yep, but I can tell you a place in Raleigh that will pass it for a 'nominal' (read $40) fee ....just had mine done today and the guy told me that my windows only pass 6.6%. I bought the car with that tint on it and it had an inspection sticker from the month before I bought the car.

You still are at risk for being pulled over for improper tint.
Regardless what the inspection states if an officer pulls you over for improper tint color and does the light test and it does not pass you will still receive a ticket

I can go to get my car inspected today and apply darker tint tomorrow but it does not make it any more legal.

[the 7 oh 4]

I have 20% of all of my windows. Take my car to the dealership I bought it from and they inspect and do not charge the extra $10.00.

I have never had a problem with Police or Inspection.

However, a friend of mine got pulled about 3 weeks ago in Matthews and was harrassed and was given a ticket and he has to remove the window tint within so many days.

Just depends on where in NC you are!

[bankerjohn]

I'm near the end of my 30-day "grace period" for correcting my window tint ... the side and rear windows were all fine (35%), but they failed my windshield "banner" because it was too dark (9%). When I called the shop that put it on, they said that only 1 other person in the last 4 years had come back to them with the same issue ... and that person was trying to get his car inspected at the same station.

I've been in touch with 2 different DMV inspectors, and one agrees with me that there's no light transmission restriction for the windshield, and the other one disagrees, saying the windshield tint has to be no longer than 5" AND must transmit at least 32% light.

Has anyone in NC ever been failed for the darkness of their windshield tint?

I'm going nuts trying to keep from having to re-do the windshield before my 30 days runs out!