Quebec Window Tint Laws Overview: What You Need To Know
Window tinting has become increasingly popular among car owners for various reasons. It provides added privacy while driving, reduces glare and heat from the sun, and can make your vehicle look sleek and stylish.
However, it’s essential to understand the Montreal window tinting laws to avoid fines and legal issues. In this article, we’ll discuss Quebec’s window tint laws and what you need to know before tinting your vehicle.
Windshield Tinting
The Quebec government has set specific regulations for windshield tinting to ensure the driver’s safety. The top 15cm (6 inches) of the windshield must be clear, meaning no tinting is allowed in this area.
This regulation ensures that the driver has a clear view of the road, and visibility is not hampered.
Front Side Windows Tinting
When it comes to the front side windows, Quebec’s window tint laws specify that they must allow over 70% VLT (Visible Light Transmission). In simpler terms, this means that the tinting cannot block more than 30% of light from entering the vehicle.
This regulation ensures that drivers can see in and out of the vehicle and maintain clear visibility on the road.
Back Side Windows Tinting
Quebec’s window tint laws have relatively relaxed regulations when it comes to back side windows tinting. The back side windows can have any darkness level, meaning they can be fully tinted or partially tinted.
However, it’s crucial to ensure that your tinting does not obstruct the driver’s visibility through the rear windows.
Rear Window Tinting
Similar to the back side windows, the rear window tinting can have any darkness level. Still, the driver must have a clear view of the road through the rear window.
The regulation specifies that if you install tinting on the rear window, you must have two left and right side view mirrors to ensure the driver’s safety.
Penalties
If you fail to comply with Quebec’s window tint laws, you could face fines and inspection issues. The fines will depend on the type of vehicle you own and, more specifically, the windows you have tinted:
Ticket Fine
If a police officer catches you driving with illegal window tinting, you could face a ticket fine of $154-$274 for passenger vehicles and up to $525 for heavy vehicles.
Inspection Fine
Inspection centers could also fine you if they notice that your vehicle’s window tinting is not compliant with the regulations. The fines for inspection non-compliance can range from $438 to $865.
Conclusion
Overall, understanding Quebec’s window tint laws is essential if you plan to tint your vehicle’s windows. It’s important to ensure that the tinting does not obstruct the driver’s visibility and following regulations for the different windows.
Remember that violating these regulations could result in fines, inspection non-compliance issues, and even more severe consequences.
Other Quebec Tint Laws That You Should Know
While the primary Quebec window tint laws cover windshield and side windows tinting, several other regulations cover other important aspects of vehicle tinting. In this section, we’ll discuss the other important Quebec tint laws that you should be aware of before making modifications to your vehicle.
Reflective Tint
It’s important to note that Quebec’s regulatory agencies strictly prohibits any kind of reflective or mirrored window tinting. This is because reflective tinting can reflect light back onto other drivers, leading to safety concerns and accidents.
It’s essential to install window tinting that complies with the rules and regulations set by the Quebec government.
Side Mirrors
If you decide to install tinted glass on the back and rear windows, it’s essential to ensure that your vehicle has side mirrors to ensure safe and adequate visibility while driving. For compliance, the Quebec government mandates that drivers are required to install side mirrors if the rear window is tinted.
This will assist drivers with undistorted visibility of what is happening behind the car.
Medical Exemptions
There are no medical exemptions that can exempt you from following Quebec’s window tint laws, even if you have a medical condition that requires it. However, if the particular conditions require the use of tinting on medical necessities, then the driver would need to file a medical exemption with the Society of Automobile Insurance.
If approved, the driver should carry the documentation in their vehicle as proof of compliance with the regulation.
Certificate Requirements
In other provinces, drivers are required to obtain a tint certificate that allows them to have a specific level of tint on their windows. However, in Quebec, there are no tint certificate requirements for installing or changing window tints.
Nevertheless, drivers should ensure that they check the tint level before purchasing window tints to comply with the regulations.
Tint Sticker Requirements
Some provinces require drivers to place a particular sticker on their window that proves that the tint level is compliant with the regulations. However, in Quebec, there are no tint sticker requirements.
Quebec law enforcement will rely on their tools to check and detect non-compliant tints. So, car owners dont need to worry about any additional stickers or documentation when changing their vehicles window tints.
Conclusion
Complying with the window tint regulations established by the Quebec government is vital to prevent any unwanted legal issues, fines, or inspection non-compliance. When purchasing and installing window tints, it’s crucial to keep in mind the regulations on reflective and mirrored tint and to ensure that side mirrors are installed if the rear window is tinted.
While there are no medical exemptions or certificate and tint sticker requirements, drivers must be aware of the Quebec window tinting laws to stay compliant and protect their safety on the road. Understanding Quebec’s window tint laws is critical for car owners who want to tint their vehicles’ windows.
The laws apply to the windshield, front side windows, back side windows, and rear windows and specify maximum allowed darkness levels, distance from the windshield, and other safety-related requirements. Violating these laws could lead to hefty ticket fines or inspection non-compliance issues.
Car owners should also be aware that Quebec prohibits any kind of reflective tint, and side mirrors are mandatory if the rear window is tinted. Although there are no medical exemptions or certificate requirements, drivers must follow the guidelines to ensure their safety and avoid legal consequences.