Will cops notice 50 windshield tint?

Whether cops will notice 50 percent windshield tint depends on how it looks, lighting, and officer experience, but there is a good chance they will notice because any tint on the full windshield is illegal in most states and 50 percent is noticeably darker than clear glass. In California and most states, windshields cannot have tint below the top few inches, except for a clear UV film that is 70 to 80 percent VLT, so 50 percent on the entire windshield is illegal and blocks half the light, giving it a visible grayish or smoked appearance, especially when viewed from outside at an angle or when compared to other cars with clear windshields. During the day, 50 percent windshield tint may look like a light smoke and could be less obvious than 20 percent, but at night, it reduces headlight transmission and can be noticed during a stop. Officers who enforce tint laws are trained to spot windshield tint, and they often use tint meters. You are more likely to be noticed if you have dark tint on side windows too, if you drive in areas with strict enforcement, or if you are stopped for another reason and the officer looks at the windshield. While some people run 50 percent windshield tint and do not get stopped, legally it is a primary offense and can result in a fix-it ticket requiring removal.