Are too darkly tinted windows a primary reason to pull someone over? I hate that you can't have matching tint (legally) between front and rear windows. Although many people do here. I guess they suck it up and take the fine?
I've heard two different answers to this question.
PA has no actual tint law with regards to how dark the tint can be. I've only ever been bothered by a cop once, who pulled me over because of how 'dark' it was, then let me off with a ticket for just 2 tinted windows.
He was 'cutting me a break' by not giving me a ticket for the rest of them.
He was, in fact, just being a jagoff.
Yes, window tint is probable cause for a stop on its own. I suck it up and take the fine. I told that to a judge once and he didn't care, so long as my check cleared.
To the tint level concern. Title 75 states:
"No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle."
So, in that way, it's fairly subjective. There is no 70% (or other) threshold measurable with a light meter in Title 75. The 70% number comes from a 1996 PennDOT administrative rule which mandated that level of light transmission to maintain compliance. So think of it like the PennDOT rule clarified the subjective nature of Title 75 while using Title 75 as the foundational authority. It's an important distinction for law nerds but the practical thing to takeaway as a driver is that this is the threshold the Commonwealth has agreed on and it's the standard you will be held to.
That second part about the 2 tinted windows is complete bullshit. There is not tiered violation scheme for the amount of windows. You either violated the rule or you didn't.