DC ST § 50-2207.02 
 Formerly cited as DC ST 1981 § 40-718.1 
  
                       Current through December 31, 2000                        
                                                                                
  
§ 50-2207.02. Tinted windows prohibited. 
 

 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no motor vehicle may 
be operated or parked upon the public streets or spaces of the District of 
Columbia with: 
  (1) A front windshield or front side windows that allow less than 70% light 
 transmittance;  or 
  (2) A rear windshield or rear side windows that allow less than 50% light 
 transmittance. 
 (b) A motor vehicle may be operated or parked upon the public streets of the 
District of Columbia with a front windshield that allows less than 70% light 
transmittance above the AS-1 line, or within 5 inches from the top of the 
windshield. 
 (c) Any person who operates or parks a motor vehicle in violation of 
subsection (a) of this section shall be issued a $50 citation. 
 (d)(1) Except as provided by subsection (f) of this section, any motor vehicle 
found to violate subsection (a) of this section shall be required to be 
inspected at an official District Inspection Station within 5 business days 
after the finding. 
  (2) If the motor vehicle is not brought into compliance with subsection (a) 
 of this section by the end of the 5-day period, the owner of the vehicle shall 
 be fined not more than $1,000. 
 (e)(1) Except as provided by subsection (f) of this section, any motor vehicle 
found to violate subsection (a) of this section on a second or subsequent 
occasion shall be required to be inspected at an official District Inspection 
Station within 5 business days after the second or subsequent finding. 
  (2) If the motor vehicle is not brought into compliance with subsection (a) 
 of this section by the end of the 5-day period, the owner of the vehicle may 
 be fined not more than $5,000. 
 (f) Any police officer or other authorized government agent of the District 
may order the immediate removal of a motor vehicle from the public streets to 
an official District Inspection Station if the police officer or other 
authorized government agent determines that the health and safety of the public 
is at risk due to window tinting in violation of subsection (a) of this 
section. 
 (g) No person shall install window tinting on a motor vehicle which is not 
exempt pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, in the District of Columbia 
which would cause the motor vehicle to violate subsection (a) of this section 
if the vehicle were operated or parked on the public streets of the District of 
Columbia. 
 (h) Limousines, ambulances, buses and hearses, meeting the requirements of 18 
DCMR 413.10, church-owned vehicles, and all official government vehicles, shall 
be exempt from the requirements of this section. 
 (i) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to modify or affect any 
federal law concerning the window tinting of motor vehicles that is applicable 
to manufacturers, importers, dealers, or motor vehicle repair businesses for 
new or used motor vehicles and equipment. 


                                                                                   CREDIT 

  
                                                                                   CREDIT(S) 
                                                                                         
                                                                                2001 Main Volume 
                                                                                        
(Mar. 3, 1925, 43 Stat. 1119, ch. 443, § 11a, as added Aug. 26, 1994, D.C. Law 
10-163, § 2, 41 DCR 4886.) 


                                                             HISTORICAL NOTES -- HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES 

 
                                                                       HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES  
                                                                                        
Prior Codifications 
 
 1981 Ed., § 40-718.1. 
  
Emergency Act Amendments 
 
 For temporary amendment of section, see § 1002 of the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget 
Support Emergency Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-401, July 13, 1998, 45 DCR 4794), § 
1002 of the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act 
of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-564, January 12, 1999, 46 DCR 669), and § 1002 of the 
Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 1999  
(D.C. Act 13-41, March 31, 1999, 46 DCR 3446). 
 
Legislative History of Laws 
 
 Law 10-163, the "Motor Vehicle Tinted Window Amendment Act of 1994," was 
introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 10-422, which was referred to the 
Committee on Public Works and the Environment.  The Bill was adopted on first 
and second readings on June 7, 1994, and June 21, 1994, respectively.  Signed 
by the Mayor on July 8, 1994, it was assigned Act No. 10-276 and transmitted to 
both Houses of Congress for its review.  D.C. Law 10-163 became effective on 
August 26, 1994. 
 
DC CODE § 50-2207.02 
END OF DOCUMENT