Sergeant Jerry Burns of the Lake Havasu Police Department outlined Arizona limits on vehicle window tinting in a Traffic Tip segment, saying front side windows and the windshield must allow at least 33% visible light transmission and that darker tints are permitted on rear windows.

"On your vehicle front windows, so your front passenger side and front windshield, these on your side windows are gonna be allowed, no more than visible light transfer of 33%." Burns said, describing the state standard for front-side glass.

The rule matters because different windows have different limits and equipment and documentation requirements. Burns told viewers that Arizona bars highly reflective tints and certain colors, and that dark rear-side or rear-window tinting triggers additional mirror requirements.

"You're not allowed anything more than 35% reflection," Burns said, noting that silver reflective tints (which he described as having "almost like a 100% reflection") and colors such as red or amber are not permitted in Arizona.

He added that vehicles fitted with very dark rear window tinting must have two side-view mirrors in addition to the rearview mirror to meet visibility requirements. Drivers who install illegal tinting may be required to remove it, Burns said.

Arizona also provides a medical exemption for darker tinting. Burns advised drivers to "consult the Arizona revised statutes to see if you qualify and contact a physician to get the proper documentation for that. And then make sure you carry that documentation with you because if you're stopped and you do not have it, you are subject to citation."

The information is targeted to motorists in Lake Havasu City and elsewhere in Arizona who are considering aftermarket window tinting or who may be stopped by law enforcement. Burns urged drivers to check state law and carry any required medical paperwork to avoid citations.