How the Darkest Legal Tint in Massachusetts Affects IT Professionals On the Go

Here’s a little known fact of Massachusetts law that could be extremely pertinent to contractors on the go: Massachusetts has strict window tint laws to ensure clear visibility into your vehicle. If you’re driving around with tint on your windows that’s darker than legal, you could be put on the hook for a $500 fine and be required to remove the film from your windows. Even if your contractor position requires that you stay on the road for 6+ hours a day, your best bet is to avoid darker tint. And why would anyone knowingly risk being fined heavily for driving an in-compliant vehicle, you may ask? For a number of reasons. First, let’s delve into what this darkest legal tint in Massachusetts really is. The darkest legal tint in Massachusetts is 35% VLT (visual light transmission), or 25% VLT on the rear windows of vans and SUVs. Bottom line: it’s a lighter tint.

However, most contractors who spend their days in transit simply want to block out the bright sunshine and heat, so they need to know how tint can benefit them: When you’re on the road, you need to be comfortable, just like you would be behind the wheel of a tractor trailer. You’re making constant pit stops and you need to be ready to go the next morning. That means being fully alert and even temperamental. Window tints reduce glare, keep the car cool in spite of soaked humidity, and they also reduce wear and tear on your eyes, preventing against permanent UV damage. With better visibility, drivers have less to worry about. Less catch 22s.

Let’s get real for a moment. Most contractors don’t like having their expenses scrutinized. But consider what happens if you’re pulled over and ticketed for having tint too dark. You may be forced to re-tint your windows to the minimum state-specific tint level. That, in turn, may require that you “re-travel” as required by your contract in a rental vehicle that exceeds the per-mile reimbursement listed in your contract. Or pay to have the tint removed and redone. None of these options is in any way desirable. Tint should always be measured and installed by a certified optical technician or an approved agent. However, if you’re doing home tinting, measure tint visibly. Find an empty 22-ounce bottle (cylindrical) and mark the height then calculate the volume of the new container. Alternatively, you can use a Smart Phone App but it’s not nearly as accurate.

Luckily, there are a number of alternatives to darker tinting. Using a 70% or 50% VLT, you can beat the Massachusetts law as long as your windows are tinted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. It could really help to install these products: No. Massachusetts experiences a wide range of temperatures, levels of humidity, and conditions throughout the year. While you might not find good weather for tinting every single day, it can be done as the season gets wetter. The only time tinting could be troublesome is in December and January when it snows, and everything is coated with ice. But nothing is in perfect condition all the time. As long as you’re not working as a site manager in a contaminated zone (such as a nuclear reactor), your vehicle will always serve you well.

This is a relative question – it depends on the work you’re doing. If you’re going to be traveling for 7 hours through states, a company vehicle is perfect because it will last. However, in exchange, the company wants to know where you’re going, at what time, and with whom. They don’t want to be caught off-guard by your decisions, nor do they want to be surprised by chronic overages. If your tint is too dark, you’re more likely to be pulled over, thus risking giving the customer the wrong impression. Ultimately, the function of any vehicle is to get your from Point A to Point B.

Often times, contractors will rent vehicles that look as though they are heavily used for handling freight, moving equipment, or just generally overwhelming responsibilities. But the reality is that it takes a lot of effort to clean an old van. If you’re getting paint or broke glass on the interior, you can expect to have to replace the entire fabric lining. In order to prevent stains and rips, install good quality commercial-grade fabric. Compliance with the law is a must. When you’re a contractor with a new client, your customer is going to take a very close look at the vehicle that you drive. A tint too dark, a dent here or a rip there, can influence the client’s perception of your professionalism. And since they hired your company, you’re hired too. If they have trouble with you, they might terminate your contract early, leaving you with hours to burn.

In the state of Massachusetts, the law is clear: violations can cost you anywhere between $160-$500. The price depends on whether you were speeding, driving recklessly, or simply using the dark tint. In addition, you’ll be required to have the vehicle returned to state compliance. The product of individual rights is the law. Laws are put in place to protect the public from anything that is dangerous to their health, safety, and welfare. It’s important for contractors to know the law, and that can be as easy as tint regulations. For more information on window tint laws, you can visit this Wikipedia page.