Is it illegal for car window tinting to be invisible from the outside?

[MacEverett]

Window tinting that makes the interior invisible from the outside is illegal. Here is a detailed introduction to the pros and cons of car window tinting: 1. Good privacy: Generally, car window tinting is one-way, which can protect the owner's privacy, but owners need to verify when choosing car window tinting. 2. Anti-explosion effect: In case of an accident, the glass with window tinting will stick together when broken, avoiding glass splashing and protecting passengers. 3. Thermal insulation: High-quality car window tinting can provide thermal insulation, effectively controlling the rise of interior temperature in summer and suppressing heat dissipation in winter, maintaining a comfortable driving environment. 4. Reduced light transmittance: The light transmittance of car window tinting does not exceed 90%, especially when applied to the front windshield, reduced light transmittance can affect driving safety.

[DeAlejandro]

My daily experience as a long-distance driver tells you that overly dark car window tints can really get you a ticket. The light transmittance of the front windshield must not be less than 70%, as stipulated in the national standards—you can measure it with a device to know the actual tint level. Regulations for side and rear windows vary by region; for example, Shanghai enforces stricter checks than Beijing. After tinting, it's best to drive your car into an underground parking lot during the day—if you can't see the interior lights from outside the car, then it's compliant. Recently, I saw someone with reflective film that dazzled drivers behind them on a sunny day. Even if such film meets light transmittance standards, it must be removed. Police carry transmittance meters, and getting caught with non-compliant tint may cost you a 200-yuan fine, but the real issue is that your car will definitely fail the annual inspection.

[LaLilliana]

Just helped my neighbor with this issue—his newly installed dark tint got him pulled over by traffic police. Current regulations are quite detailed: the front windshield tint must be light-colored, and side window tints can't be so dark that they obscure human silhouettes. It's recommended to choose branded tints, as their packaging always indicates light transmittance parameters. For the front windshield, selecting a tint with over 75% transmittance is the safest bet. Northern cities are more lenient with rear window requirements, but southern coastal cities mandate at least 35% transmittance even for rear windows. A pro tip from the tint shop: close the car door, sit in the driver's seat, and place your phone's flashlight against the side window—if the light spot is visible from outside, it passes inspection. If unsure, borrow a testing device from the DMV to avoid unnecessary fines.

[Sienna]

Actually, the darkness of car window film depends on its position. The front windshield must be as clear as if no film were applied, ensuring nighttime driving safety. My son always used dark tint on the back seats for sun protection, but later we realized overly dark rear windows hinder reversing visibility, especially in rainy conditions. Nowadays, films come with spectrometer readings—H70 is sufficient for the front windshield. I’ve seen cars with mirror-like reflective films that cause glare; such films are illegal everywhere. Ceramic films are recommended—they block heat effectively without obstructing vision, making summer drives feel like sitting in the shade.

[Juliette]

Having been in car detailing for ten years, I see clients reapply non-compliant window films every year. Simply put: the front windshield film must have a light transmittance of over 70%, while side window standards vary by region—Beijing requires over 40%. A quick field test is to check if you can clearly see the steering wheel outline from outside the car after installation. Don’t cheap out on dyed films; they bubble within two years and their light transmission plummets. Last month, a driver was pulled over on the highway because overly dark rear window film obstructed lane-change visibility—he struggled to peel it off afterward. Opt for metal magnetron sputtered films: just a thin layer blocks UV rays effectively.