Indiana Code 9-19-19-4

 

 IC 9-19-19-4 Sec. 4. (a) This section does not apply to a manufacturer's 
tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is 
otherwise in compliance with or permitted by FMVSS205 as promulgated 
in 49 CFR 571.205. Proof from the manufacturer, supplier, or installer 
that the tinting or glazing is in compliance with or permitted by 
FMVSS205 must be carried in the vehicle. 
 (b) This section does not apply to the driver of a vehicle: 
    (1) that is owned by an individual required for medical reasons to be 
        shielded from the direct rays of the sun; or 
    (2) in which an individual required for medical reasons to be 
        shielded from the direct rays of the sun is a habitual passenger. 
        The medical reasons must be attested to by a physician licensed to 
        practice in Indiana, and the physician's certification of that 
        condition must be carried in the vehicle. The physician's certificate 
        must be renewed annually. 
 (c) A person may not drive a motor vehicle that has a: 
    (1) windshield; 
    (2) side wing; 
    (3) side window that is part of a front door; or 
    (4) rear back window; 

that is covered by or treated with sunscreening material or is tinted to 
the extent or manufactured in a way that the occupants of the vehicle 
cannot be easily identified or recognized through that window from 
outside the vehicle. However, it is a defense if the sunscreening 
material applied to those windows has a total solar reflectance of 
visible light of not more than twenty-five percent (25%) as measured on 
the nonfilm side and light transmittance of at least thirty percent 
(30%) in the visible light range. 

 (d) A person may not tint or otherwise cover or treat with sunscreening
the parts of a vehicle described in subsection (c) so that operation of
the vehicle after the tinting or sunscreening is performed is a violation
of subsection (c). However, it is not a violation of this chapter if this
work is performed for a person who submits a physician's or optometrist's
statement as described in subsection (b) to the person who is to perform
 the work.

Notes:

1. Effective Oct 1, 1981 which made front side windows that were too dark
   illegal. The definition of "too dark" was vague and interpretation was
   up to the whim of the police officer.

2. Ammended in 1989 and effective on Jul 1, 1989 to add in specific standards
   on what is too dark based on percentage of light transmission. The rear-back
   window was added into the window tint regulation.

3. Ammended in 1995 through HB1214 sponsored by Rep. L. Jack Lutz, Rep. Gary
   Cook and Senator Adams,  effective Jul 1, 1995 to change the burden of
   proof from the police officer who has to prove the window tint is illegal
   to the driver who has to prove that the window tint is legal.

4. HB1344 sponsored by Rep.
Harris would put the burden of proof back on the police officer where it
belongs. It has died in committee without a hearing.

5. Sub-Section (d) is effective Jul 1, 2003. Original bill would have
basically banned tint except for the rear sides. Rear back window and
front sides would had to allow 70% VLT.