Laws re 100% sunlight blockage on rear and side windows

[lonewolf2koc]

I completely covered my minivan so that no sunlight gets in during the day. I also do not want people to be looking inside the minivan. Is it legal to have the rear window blocked during driving?

I read that the front windshield, left and right passenger can't be deeply tinted for obvious reasons. I drove a cargo van before and noticed that only the front windshield, left & right front passengers seat are 100% clear. Same thing goes for big truck as well. It's a bit hard to see the back. But I can still use my front left and right mirror to see it. Driving is still doable after adapting to fewer windows.

 

[TMG51]

That sort of thing would be up to state law, but I'm not aware of any state laws against tinting of the rear windows. Front windows and side mirrors are all you should need to drive. Some vehicles don't even have rear windows, after all.

 

[MrNoodly]

There are cargo vans that come from the factory with no rear windows. And, of course, box vans have no rear windows. Furthermore, if a van is loaded to the gills with stuff, what windows there are become useless. So I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[B and C]

As long as you have outside mirrors that you can see behind you with, you should be good to go.  There is no difference in a cargo van without windows (came from factory that way) and a window vans that cover up the windows where there aren't any in a cargo van as long as there are the outside mirrors.  This also means that the front passenger seat can't be turned around backwards or sideways if the seat back blocks the outside mirror view.

It is nothing to fret over.

 

[johnny b]

Definitely a State by State issue. Here in Virginia there are limits to the degree of tint allowed on the windshield and side windows. The cops carry gauges to measure percentage.
http://tintlaws.com/index.php

We also have yearly vehicle inspections....on my van at about the 5 year mark the rear view mirror fell off (glue failed over time) but since I wasn't using it due to a partition blanket I had hung to keep the AC up front, I thought nothing of it. Luckily I didn't toss it...failed my next inspection because it wasn't there. "If it came with the vehicle, it must be in place". I ran up to the parts store for the glue, stuck it back on, passed inspection....even though the blanket was still in place and the mirror was useless. Go figure!

 

[B and C]

Look around at the limo's with "limo tint" windows.  The back window and side windows in my Roadtrek is covered in Refletix (plainly seen while driving) and I have a curtain behind the front seats too.  Never had a problem in any state I have been in.

I still wouldn't stress about it.

 

[Reducto]

I drove cross country several times with all windows behind the cab painted black. I was pulled over a few times for other reasons (some valid, some not) but never once was I even asked about the windows. I'm now in a cargo van that has no windows in the back at all.

If your windshield and front side windows are clear and you have mirrors on both sides you should be fine anywhere.

 

[idn88]

Window tint laws (including rear side and back window) are regulated state by state, so don't just assume.

I believe the reason (although can't say for certain) cargo vans can get away with no window at all is because behind the driver is considered a cargo area, and does not come from the factory with passenger seating. Limo's, buses, and the like are governed by commercial vehicle laws - so those might be different for that reason (again just a guess)

Being hassled for it is an entirely different matter, and probably depends a lot on the state and local LEO.

A quick search came up with this - not sure of its accuracy http://tintlaws.com/