Legal Question in Traffic Law in North Dakota

Car Window Tinting

Hi, I have a question about legal window tinting. I'm from MN but go to NDSU in Fargo ND. I want to get my car tinted. The law in MN is only 50%, but in ND anything I want in the back and like 70% in the front. I have someone in ND that will install it for me. 50% isn't really even worth putting on, so I would like 70% all around. Does the MN laws apply to me because I have a MN license plate? How does ''state of residency'' work since I have been living in the dorms in Fargo 2 years? If I have the guy install the tint at say 70% will I only get a ticket in MN or will I get one in ND also because I have a MN plate? What are the fine amounts in each state? Is it one of those laws where I have to be pulled over for something else like speeding in order to get the tinting ticket added on? I've seen other people from MN with tinting. Can they just argue that it was a stock feature, or can you say that a family member drove in down in like AZ and needed to have the windows down there? Do officers tend to let something that's close to 50% like 70% off without a ticket versus someone with limo black?


Asked on 3/12/07, 10:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ross Brandborg Brudvik Law Office

Re: Car Window Tinting

I think you are confused about the tinting laws. Below are the Fargo City Ordinances regarding tinting.

I would recommend that you do not get your window tinted. The laws talk about 70% 50% blah blah, but if a cop sees tint and wants to pull you over he will and say that he thought the tinting was too much, and it would be a valid stop. Tinting will cause you more problems than its worth.

An individual may not operate a motor vehicle with any object or any

material or tinting displayed, affixed, or applied on the front windshield or on

any window unless the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with the

windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed or applied has a light

transmittance of at least seventy percent (70%) or the object, material, or

tinting in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it

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is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least fifty

percent (50%). This subsection does not apply to windows behind the

operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides

that meet the requirements of section 39-21-38, N.D.C.C.

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Answered on 3/13/07, 10:04 am


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