The subject of window tint in heavy duty commercial trucks has brought forth much discussion on the Team Run Smart website.  I wrote a blog that garnered many comments and it can be found here.  A few months later, Jim Klepper, a nationally recognized transportation attorney wrote an informative blog that cleared up some of the confusion I may have created and it can be found here. 

The International Window Film Association (IWFA)has filed an application for exemption with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow door windows (not windshields) to be tinted beyond current federal regulations. The IWFA claims that this change in regulation will increase driver comfort and reduce eye strain.  Personally, I welcome their efforts and hope they are successful in changing the regulation in order to allow the stronger window tint.  We spend far more time behind the wheel than most car drivers and we should be able to protect ourselves in a better way than applying sunscreen to our faces and left arms like I've done for many years.  

FMCSA is currently accepting comments until February 24, 2014 on this matter by following this link.  Once you land on the page, enter "window tint" in the search criteria and hit enter. That will take you to the comment section.  I shared my opinion with them and I hope you do as well.  I told them of my sun spots on the left side of my face due to years of driving and how I use sunscreen while driving.  I hope they will consider a modification to the regulation in order for us to be a little more comfortable on the job.

Comments (8)

Joey Slaughter

Joey Slaughter is the owner of Blue Ridge Transport, LLC. Joey has been in the trucking industry since 1992.

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Being that I have a brother that has been doing professional tinting for longer than I've been alive, there are a lot of new technologies in film production that allow for some serious heat and UV blockage, even without being dark in color. There is a new ceramic film that has been developed that can achieve over 60% heat transmission through the glass and still be lighter than most "light" colored films on the market. It is much more expensive than your standard dyed, metallic, or hybrid films, but then again you almost always get what you pay for in the world of window film!

February 02, 2014 10:45:50 AM

Thanks everyone for the comments. Please share your opinion with FMCSA before the deadline.

January 31, 2014 16:28:56 PM

As Linda points out there is already a way to block UV with clear tint. I think the vast majority of folks tinting are doing it to achieve a custom look rather than protecting their skin. The tint laws are for safety reasons some of which have been pointed out here, the primary one being LEO safety when approaching a vehicle. I wear a long sleeve shirt about 80% of the time year round, that takes care of the arms, LOL. I think the current tint laws have a lot of validity and in my opinion shouldn't be changed to allow darker tints.

January 31, 2014 13:08:15 PM

i like Jeff think it is important to be able to see the driver to anticipate their next move. Its also important to see if there is a distraction in the vehicle in front of you. For example ... A mini van full of childern carrying on may not have the most attentive driver and I would give this vehicle a much wider safety cushion.

January 30, 2014 6:19:22 AM

I personally don't like tinted windows in a vehicle I am driving, I need all the sunlight I can get! However I think others should be able to tint if they so choose.

January 29, 2014 19:42:05 PM

As Linda said, there's no reason you can't apply clear UV blocking film to achieve the benefits the OTR driver desires. If the IWFA is successful at achieving a 50% light transmittance standard, you'll only be able to apply tint that blocks about 30% light during normal daylight hours. The Freightliners that I have checked with a tint meter are equipped with side window glass that allows 76% light transmittance. Vehicle window tint is typically sold in the following percentages: 5, 15, 20, 35, 50, 70. The smaller the number, the darker the tint. So, the off-the-shelf tint labeled 70% will be the best that would be usable if the regulation at 393.60(d) is changed to 50%.

January 29, 2014 13:54:58 PM

Well there is no reason not to use clear window tint that keeps the sun out like it does for a house. I had a 69 Camaro that had REALLY dark window tint and I hated to drive that car at night. Window tint makes it very difficult for an officer when he walks up to a car to see what is happening inside.

January 29, 2014 11:27:18 AM

We need clarity. We need some technology to protect drivers, but I see window tinting, especially in cars, that I think is too dark. I want to see the other driver to help anticipate their next move.

January 29, 2014 4:47:15 AM