BajaNomad - Cars with dark tinted windows illegal on federal highways in Mexico

Cars with dark tinted windows illegal on federal highways in Mexico

chnlisle - 7-9-2010 at 11:14 AM

This article says the Mexican federal highway police will now be confiscating cars with tinted windows so dark that they cannot see inside, until the owners remove the polarizing paper. This is in accordance with Article 13 of the federal tranportation rules. It does not say what will happen with cars with factory tinting, since that cannot be removed.

Quote:

Se prohíbe utilizar vidrios polarizados

Decomisarán agentes federales los vehículos que sean manejados con vidrios oscuros, al extremo de que no puedan ser vistos sus ocupantes; no será aceptada excusa alguna

Por Andrés Peráles, El Valle
9.07.2010 - 12:00

Agentes federales decomisarán los automóviles que usen cristales polarizados.

San Quintín, B. C. - De nueva cuenta, oficiales de la Policía Federal se dedicarán a informar a los conductores que utilicen los vidrios de sus vehículos sin polarizar, pues de lo contrario serán decomisadas las unidades que violen la ley.

Autoridades federales que llevan a cabo de nueva cuenta estas acciones, indicaron que los conductores que circulen en sus vehículos con vidrios polarizados, que impidan la vista de sus ocupantes, serán objeto del decomiso del vehiculo.

Los oficiales de la División Caminos detendrán todo vehículo que circule con los vidrios polarizados, ya que se les dio mucho tiempo para que sus propietarios retiraran el papel oscuro de los cristales.

Indicaron que no hay excusa para utilizar el polarizado, a menos que un dermatólogo u oftalmólogo certifique o ampare la utilización del polarizado, ya que todos los vehículos sin excepción, están sujetos a no usar polarizado.

La infracción de esta disposición será motivo para retirar el vehiculo de la circulación, a menos que el polarizado esté avalado por un médico.

Según las estadísticas, los vehículos utilizados para cometer ilícitos de alto impacto carecen de placas de circulación, cuentan con los vidrios totalmente oscuros y son de modelo reciente.

Para evitar que los conductores sean molestados, invitan a la ciudadanía a retirar de sus vidrios el papel polarizado, para que puedan los oficiales federales observar a quien conduce el vehículo.
“El artículo 31 del reglamento de tránsito en carreteras federales es muy claro, y se infraccionará o retirar el vehículo de la circulación a los conductores, por impedir la visualización al interior de la unidad, por el polarizado en cristales” concluyeron.

BMG - 7-9-2010 at 11:32 AM

A family member of ours bought a new Chevrolet in Cd Obregon a couple of years ago. The windows were tinted so dark that you had to roll down windows to see once the sun went down. She hated them and I could see why as I think they are dangerously dark. They looked like factory tinting, no film that you could see the edges of or tell was applied over the glass.

Natalie Ann - 7-9-2010 at 11:36 AM

It is also illegal in California to drive with dark tinted windows.
Law enforcement likes to see who/how many are in the car and what activities are happening in there. Makes sense to me.

nena

irenemm - 7-9-2010 at 11:37 AM

Good

Bob H - 7-9-2010 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann
It is also illegal in California to drive with dark tinted windows.
Law enforcement likes to see who/how many are in the car and what activities are happening in there. Makes sense to me.

nena

I am positive that the California law applies to the front passenger windows only... as long as the people in front are visible, you are OK... is it the same in Mexico?

Natalie Ann - 7-9-2010 at 11:59 AM

I looked it up and you're correct Bob... only the front and side windows. Below is the law from CHP's FAQs page.

It speaks of after market tinting of windows. Wonder if there's some kinda rule for auto manufacturers about how dark is legal for stock windows.

nena

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

1. The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
2. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

Bajamatic - 7-9-2010 at 12:02 PM

Front Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in.

SO. If you tint the front, better have a light meter handy when you get pulled over for swerving. :no:

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by Bajamatic]

Woooosh - 7-9-2010 at 12:20 PM

This law has been enforced in TJ since last year. If they pull you over they let you tear off the tint yourself instead of confiscating the car. They did a huge PR campaign about it when it went into effect during the narco-wars. Given that dark tinted front windows are also illegal in CA- it makes sense to stop them in Mexico as they are more likely to be illegally imported and used for crimes.

mikeintj - 7-9-2010 at 12:34 PM

This has been enforced at various times for about the past 5 years. The problem is that although it is aimed at any narcos travelling around town hiding behind their tinted windows, the reality is that single police officers target the easiest prey i.e. families, particularly white families. Police officers are far too scared to confront a car with more than one hispanic male in it.

We (my wife was driving in Tijuana and our 3 year old was in the back) had to pay a mordida for this. It was the first time that a police officer had asked for a bribe in front of my daughter and I felt particularly violated because of this, the officer doing something so dirty in front of our daughter.

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by mikeintj]

Through the Glass Darkly

MrBillM - 7-9-2010 at 12:37 PM

Back in the days when I worked in Palm Springs and the Window tinting craze was at its height with Tinting shops EVERYWHERE, the Palm Springs PD would cruise the GTE (and other) parking lots looking for illegal tints. They'd then come back around quitting time and go into "Lurk" mode waiting for those vehicles to exit. Along with cruising the construction sites for Pickups with other state license plates, It was a highly profitable procedure.

fishabductor - 7-9-2010 at 03:23 PM

This is all true. Dark tinted aftermarket windows are prohibited. Factory rears are fine.

How do I know....I just bought a vehicle with mx plates. I tinted the windows in the morning and when I went to get the title switched into my name. they made me remove all the tinting. Front windows only. $400 pesos down the drain!!!

chnlisle - 7-9-2010 at 03:41 PM

Quote:

Since new cars are sold in California with factory tints, that are very dark on the rear passenger windows and back window, it stands to reason such tints are LEGAL in California. But, they are apparently not legal on Mexican federal highways, because the Mexican law says they have to be able to see the passengers in the rear. So, I reiterate. It looks like factory tinting on cars is not legal in Mexico.

Deal with it.

Bajahowodd - 7-9-2010 at 03:49 PM

I have to fall on the side of law enforcement on this issue. It's not about just being able to see who is sitting in the vehicle, it's about what they are doing, such as jamming a magazine into their hand gun. Seems that I recall that UV and other factors have result in a much less darkening tint on residential applications. So, I invite anyone out there, with superior knowledge of the process (and that's probably more than I wish to acknowledge) to chime in on whether current vehicle window tinting is more for show and prestige, than it need be to be effective in what its intended use is; namely keeping the interior of the vehicle cooler.

fishabductor - 7-9-2010 at 03:54 PM

When I had my truck tinted last week, it was so nice and cool. Easy on the eyes..etc. when the cops made me pull it off, it felt like I was driving around in an oven with my sunglasses off.

The tint was very nice. I will not do it again now that I know it's illegal. I wanted a BCS plated car with tint so the cops thought I was a National rather than a gringo.

DENNIS - 7-9-2010 at 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
I wanted a BCS plated car with tint so the cops thought I was a National rather than a gringo.

They would figure it out the first time you stopped at a stop-sign. :lol:

fishabductor - 7-9-2010 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
I wanted a BCS plated car with tint so the cops thought I was a National rather than a gringo.

They would figure it out the first time you stopped at a stop-sign. :lol:

true...true.. :lol:

Natalie Ann - 7-9-2010 at 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chnlisle

Quote:

So I guess you never read my second post, huh.

fwiw... I've got family in law enforcement. I'd like to see dark tinted windows illegal no matter what state or country.

deal with it

nena

Yesterday in T.J.

Ken Cooke - 7-10-2010 at 12:17 AM

I was pulled over for this infraction, and I handed the Poilce Officer my Drivers License and a 3yr old Registration that I had been saving just for him.

I looked at the officer like I was not going to give him a single Peso, and he did not ask for one. I refuse giving away my hard-earned money to people that don't deserve it.

I was instead told that my 31% aftermarket tint was "too dark" and because I was a tourist and not a resident, I was allowed to drive around town with my windows down in order to avoid an infraction.

My wife and I decided not to sightsee in Tijuana, and return to our friends' home where we had been visiting. Sucks, because I wanted her to see the highlights of Tijuana...

Bob H - 7-10-2010 at 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishabductor
When I had my truck tinted last week, it was so nice and cool. Easy on the eyes..etc. when the cops made me pull it off, it felt like I was driving around in an oven with my sunglasses off.

The tint was very nice. I will not do it again now that I know it's illegal. I wanted a BCS plated car with tint so the cops thought I was a National rather than a gringo.

Just HOW do you pull the tint off on the spot? Don't you need a hair dryer to heat it up first?

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by Bob H]

fishabductor - 7-10-2010 at 09:52 AM

It was a fresh tint, less than 8 hrs old. I used a knife to peel up a corner and tore the tint off. Took all of 30 seconds. Now I still have to clean the window off. however after the tint removal on my way home I busted my rear axle and the truck is currently sitting in san jose and the axle is in La Paz where the mechanics and building me a new axle and reinforcing it top and bottom. I should get it back today...or is it MANANA?

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by fishabductor]

Natalie Ann - 7-10-2010 at 10:02 AM

I asked a CHP Sergeant to fill me in as to the specifics of this law.

His response:

The easy answer is that there can be no tint or film whatsoever on the front or front-side windows (anything to the left and right of the driver).

Everything behind the driver, so the rear and rear-side windows, can be covered in aluminum foil as long as there are left and right side mirrors on the vehicle. (The right/passenger side mirror is not required by law.) [Vehicle Code 26708(a)(1): A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.]

There is an exemption for a removable sun shade meeting certain specifications with a doctors note; but it has to be removable for night and when other people are driving. This is extremely rare.

Now, federal statutes allow up to 70% tint as part of the glass. Looking at 70% (that transmits 70% of the light), most people will think its clear. It's really not apparent. That's what most vehicles have from the factory to block UVA/UVB.

To complicate things, California actually allows a film to be applied (contrary to the above) if the total transmittance is 88% of above. Even with clear, 100% glass, there is not a single film on the market that blocks only 12% of light to meet the 88% requirement -- so that section is moot.

The scenario we run into 99%+ of the time with people who insist their front tint is legal is that it was applied by the previous owner or a dealer and they don't realize there is a film on the window. Oftentimes, especially in southern california, dealers sell brand new cars illegally tinted. They did not come from the factory this way, as any vehicle manufactured in the US has California-legal "tint" embedded in the glass. The dealer adds the illegal film before the customer ever takes delivery.

If you roll down the window an inch or two and look at the very top edge, you can see the line where the film is applied. Often people are surprised to see they actually have a film applied to the window.

So, back to square one. No film whatsoever on the front, blacked-out in the back is okay, and anything from the factory (not added by the dealer) is okay.

Cyanide41 - 7-10-2010 at 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I was pulled over for this infraction, and I handed the Poilce Officer my Drivers License and a 3yr old Registration that I had been saving just for him.

I looked at the officer like I was not going to give him a single Peso, and he did not ask for one. I refuse giving away my hard-earned money to people that don't deserve it.

I was instead told that my 31% aftermarket tint was "too dark" and because I was a tourist and not a resident, I was allowed to drive around town with my windows down in order to avoid an infraction.

My wife and I decided not to sightsee in Tijuana, and return to our friends' home where we had been visiting. Sucks, because I wanted her to see the highlights of Tijuana...

Ken was this on the front windows? I used to drive around TJ with fairly dark front windows until someone smashed one and stole my ipod and gps. That occured in my driveway here in San Diego. Granted, when in Mexico you better believe valueables are out of sight.

Woooosh - 7-10-2010 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikeintj
This has been enforced at various times for about the past 5 years. The problem is that although it is aimed at any narcos travelling around town hiding behind their tinted windows, the reality is that single police officers target the easiest prey i.e. families, particularly white families. Police officers are far too scared to confront a car with more than one hispanic male in it.

We (my wife was driving in Tijuana and our 3 year old was in the back) had to pay a mordida for this. It was the first time that a police officer had asked for a bribe in front of my daughter and I felt particularly violated because of this, the officer doing something so dirty in front of our daughter.

[Edited on 7-9-2010 by mikeintj]

I haven't read the posts after yours yet, but I applaud you for your post. When children witness corruption it changes their whole future and sets the tone to become complacent life-long victims of the abuses of authority over which they have little control. Mordidas should bother every Mexican in his gut the way it bothered you.

Cartels are finished in Mexico

The Gull - 7-10-2010 at 11:03 AM

When the Mexican government enforces the "no smoked windows" law, all the cartel members of Mexico will leave the county and go to California or Arizona.

In California, all of them will be given a home to live, free medical care for their entire family, free education for their entire family, Welfare and Food Stamps, just like all the other illegals are currently receiving. Because California does not enforce the window law, they will not have to change their cars condition.

In Arizona, most of what California provides will be available as the White House by filing a lawsuit against Arizona has chosen to stop the people of Arizona from protecting themselves against killers and criminals.

Simple solution for Mexico to eliminate Drug trafficing - enforce the window law.

Woooosh - 7-10-2010 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gull
When the Mexican government enforces the "no smoked windows" law, all the cartel members of Mexico will leave the county and go to California or Arizona.

In California, all of them will be given a home to live, free medical care for their entire family, free education for their entire family, Welfare and Food Stamps, just like all the other illegals are currently receiving. Because California does not enforce the window law, they will not have to change their cars condition.

In Arizona, most of what California provides will be available as the White House by filing a lawsuit against Arizona has chosen to stop the people of Arizona from protecting themselves against killers and criminals.

Simple solution for Mexico to eliminate Drug trafficing - enforce the window law.

A good start Gull, but how much drugs cross the border in cars with or without tinted windows? I suggest we install tracking devices on all pangas, that every illegal caught in the USA be micro-chipped like a dog, and that all drug tunnels be converted to National Guard bunkers. just kidding...

wessongroup - 7-10-2010 at 12:28 PM

Can there be any good in this system... for example:

Young man on a motorcycle, without plates, no insurance, no helmet, excessive speed, exhibition of speed (wheelie), and a modified exhaust system ... was stopped by a Police officer ... rather than go to the station and pay an approximate 800-1,000 peso fine..(5 violations) the young man gives the officer $20 dollars.. and drives it back to his house and parks it in the garage.. it's not on his record and does not effect his insurance

Wrong, yes.. but...... just a thought.. as I know a guy this happened to .. just the other day.. and for him... he thinks it is a fair system taken as a whole..

Just another view of the issue.. which I had not considered before....

Was talking about the point, with some local folks .. while having some work done on my car... and they live with the system daily too...

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by wessongroup]

DENNIS - 7-10-2010 at 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
Young man on a motorcycle, without plates, no insurance, no helmet, excessive speed, exhibition of speed (wheelie), and a modified exhaust system ... was stopped by a Police officer ... rather than go to the station and pay an approximate 800-1,000 peso fine..(5 violations) the young man gives the officer $20 dollars.. and drives it back to his house and parks it in the garage.. it's not on his record and does not effect his insurance

Record and insurance? They don't bother with those details. his most egregious offense, as I see it but you didn't mention, is endangering the lives of others.
Aside from that, I hope he kills himself.

Quote:

I know a guy this happened to .. just the other day.. and for him... he thinks it is a fair system taken as a whole..

Of course he would. He would probably consider it even more fair if he had to pay nothing.

Quote:

Was talking about the point, with some local folks .. while having some work done on my car... and they live with the system daily too...

They don't even comprehend the US system. For them, the police are just another pothole in the road. Sometimes you hit them, sometimes you don't. There is no big picture for drivers here as we know it.
Just wait till you climb over the curb and rip out someones mailbox while driving home from the saloon and the cop gives you a street-fine of twenty bucks. You'll think it's a perfect system too. :lol:

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by DENNIS]

BAJACAT - 7-10-2010 at 01:46 PM

I was pull over in Otay Mesa, at gun point, drag out of my truck, I was told that my truck will be tow, after a talk with the captain he let me go with a warning, a 40 dollar warning it's.. I pay $30 in the USA to remove the tint, That I paid $120 to install 6 years ago...

wessongroup - 7-10-2010 at 02:05 PM

As one can see, everyone has there own take on the issue.. as for public safety.. right pal .. tell it to the folks from the States I see driving up and down the road doing well over 70 every day on the old road and/or the toll road and when on the old road running stops, just like the locals.. .. poor driving is not restricted to Mexicans... nor is not caring about public safety... please...

And it's their Country... if you don't like it leave.. or like Skeets said.. start flying...

In the states, you may end up being arrested and put in jail, and fines in excess of 2,000 dollars perhaps, possible license restrictions, plus your insurance rates will go up by 20-30%

And after all the overall goal was achieved .... the bike was off the street and in the garage.. with a lesson learned.. don't do that... AGAIN

As for the Mexican Police not keeping records, I don't know that to be a fact

[Edited on 7-10-2010 by wessongroup]

Bajahowodd - 7-10-2010 at 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Two items that I recently saw in the news. A study determined that if the upcoming California initiative to legalize marijuana passed, the price of an ounce would drop to about $38. Second, and I'm assuming there has been an undercover effort to prevent this from passing, current polling suggests that the initiative will fail. Interesting thing about the numbers, in that whites appear to be overwhelmingly in favor, but blacks and Hispanics are against it.

Bob H - 7-14-2010 at 07:07 PM

Well, I'm going to Ensenada this weekend in my new truck. It's a crew cab with dark factory tint on the rear window and rear passenger windows with a Leer shell on the back, also dark factory tinted windows. The driver and passenger windows have a lighter after market tint that I added after I purchased the truck.

Hope it's not going to be a problem, as I can't stand the glare without them.

I'll report when I get back on Monday.

rocmoc - 7-15-2010 at 05:32 PM

So are the rear side windows of a quad cab legal to be tinted or not? Currently all tinted but I will remove the driver & front passenger window tint. How about the rear seat passenger windows? In AZ everyone has tinted windows as it is a big help with heat in the car. Will have to get a sun screen / or tinted film with suction cups to use instead of the tint.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Baja

Ken Cooke - 7-15-2010 at 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocmoc
So are the rear side windows of a quad cab legal to be tinted or not? Currently all tinted but I will remove the driver & front passenger window tint. How about the rear seat passenger windows? In AZ everyone has tinted windows as it is a big help with heat in the car. Will have to get a sun screen / or tinted film with suction cups to use instead of the tint.

Thanks,
rocmoc n AZ/Baja

Yes, they are legal for you for two reasons.

1. You are a TOURIST, not a Resident.
2. These are your rear windows and not your front windows.

BAJACAT - 7-15-2010 at 08:36 PM

Quote:

rocmoc, the driver and passanger side are the ones that can't be tinted, I have a Dodge Quad cab, and im tinted all the way, I only remove the front windows. And Ken, I toll that to the police officer that stop me on Otay and he told me that the rule applies to tourist too. He said if your laws make are mexican drivers get insurance when the go to the USA, you got to obey our laws too.. but that was my story, I didn't like to have a bunch of guns pointed at my family so I remove the tint, I don't like to argue with Mexico finest..

[Edited on 7-16-2010 by BAJACAT]

Ken Cooke - 7-16-2010 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJACAT And Ken, I toll that to the police officer that stop me on Otay and he told me that the rule applies to tourist too. He said if your laws make are mexican drivers get insurance when the go to the USA, you got to obey our laws too.. but that was my story, I didn't like to have a bunch of guns pointed at my family so I remove the tint, I don't like to argue with Mexico finest..

Jose -- Those are some very good reasons for removing the window tint on your truck. Keeping your family comfortable on trips to Mexico is the most important. Leidys doesn't want to drive the Rubicon back to Mexico because of the attention it caused wherever we went.

David K - 7-16-2010 at 09:04 PM

"Leidys doesn't want to drive the Rubicon back to Mexico because of the attention it caused wherever we went."

I hope you are joking about this... It is a JEEP, and Jeeps get attention everywhere. Since you are not going to stop going to Baja, does that mean you will be getting a TOYOTA or a NEW ESPOSA? :rolleyes:

(just kidding amigo... tell her you need the Jeep to take her back to Shell Island!)

wessongroup - 7-16-2010 at 10:09 PM

have the rear windows in both cars tinted, we roll them down (can't with the Bronco) at the check points, along with taking off my sun glasses, my hat and put electronics away too..

were down here all the time.. so we don't have anything in the back seat but the dog.. so we are pretty clean, and even some of the soldiers are starting to recognize us... my wife driving, me sitting shotgun with a straw hat on my lap, a cane along side, and a dog with his face between the two front seat.. watching things..

Have not had any problems to date..

Ken Cooke - 7-17-2010 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David KSince you are not going to stop going to Baja, does that mean you will be getting a TOYOTA or a NEW ESPOSA? :rolleyes:

Now, that is starting to sound EXPENSIVE! :?:

In Tijuana, we stayed at the LUXURIOUS MOTEL EL MIRADOR for a whopping $29 (350 Pesos) per night. There, we parked the Rubicon in its' very own LUXURIOUS garage. My plan next time we travel through Baja is to GARAGE the vehicle at a nice Hotel or Motel, and take Taxi's wherever we need to go.

The Baja Jeepin' RUBICON at Motel El Mirador, Tijuana - Fracc. Soler

wessongroup - 7-17-2010 at 12:38 PM

A sound plan.. good thinking from both you and your wife, Ken.. My wife has used the Public Transit system, which picks up folks along the old road. She used it to get back from Rosarito to the house.. had left off the Bronco for some work... the distance, about 9 miles for $1 dollar .. plus the folks were nice too.. very friendly ... just real people getting by.... good folks

[Edited on 7-17-2010 by wessongroup]

Ken Cooke - 7-17-2010 at 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wessongroup
A sound plan.. good thinking from both you and your wife, Ken.. My wife has used the Public Transit system, which picks up folks along the old road.

In Bogota, we took Public Transit everywhere we went. Spending $1 for bus fare is less than gas money/parking, and you also have a chance to make new friends.

Bogota Bus' & Taxis are super-small, but get the job done.