RS 361.1 - View outward or inward through windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited
A. As used in this Section and regulations applicable thereto, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context of use clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Sun screening device" means a film material or device that is designed to be used in conjunction with motor vehicle safety glazing materials for reducing the effects of the sun.
(2) "Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total light to pass through the product or material, including any glazing material, to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.
(3) "Luminous reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.
(4) "Manufacturer" means a person who engages in the manufacture or assembly of a vehicle sun screening device, or who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety glazing material, incorporating, during the manufacturing process, the capacity to reflect or reduce the transmission of light.
(5) "Installer" means any person or company who affixes, places, fastens, or secures any sun screening device to any windshield or window of a motor vehicle in Louisiana.
(6) "Seller" means any person or company who transfers in the contract of sale any sun screening device for windshields or windows of motor vehicles in Louisiana.
(7) "Distributor" means any person or company who markets, delivers, or distributes any sun screening device for motor vehicles in Louisiana.
B. Except as provided by R.S. 32:361.1(C), no person may operate a motor vehicle with any object or material placed on or affixed to the front windshield or to front side windows of the vehicle so as to obstruct or reduce the driver's clear view through the front windshield or front side windows, nor place on or affix to the front windshield or the front side windows of a motor vehicle, any transparent material if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmission of the windshield or front side windows.
C. The provisions of this Section do not apply to any of the following:
(1) A sun screening device when used in conjunction with automotive safety glazing materials on the front side window, with a light transmission of at least forty percent, all tolerances included, side window behind the driver with a light transmission of at least twenty-five percent, all tolerances included, and rearmost windows with a light transmission of at least twelve percent, all tolerances included. All sun screening devices shall not have a luminous reflectance of more than twenty percent.
(2) A transparent material, not red or amber in color, affixed to the topmost portion of the windshield not to extend more than five inches down from the top.
(3) An adjustable nontransparent sun visor mounted forward of the side windows and not attached to the glass.
(4) Publicly owned law enforcement vehicles other than those vehicles owned or used by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
D.(1) Each manufacturer shall certify to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, by independent test laboratory data, that a sun screening device marketed in this state is in compliance with the luminous reflectance and transmittance requirements of this Section.
(2) Each installer shall provide a label not to exceed one and one-half square inches in size, with a means for the permanent and legible installation between the sun screening material and each glazing surface to which it is applied, which contains the installer's name and city where the business is located.
(3) The person placing the material on the glazing surface shall affix the label to the lower right corner of the driver's side window.
(4) The light transmittance requirement of this Section does not apply to windows behind the driver on trucks, busses, trailers, motor homes, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and all windows on vehicles used for law enforcement purposes and tinted in accordance with the provisions of this Section.
E. Except as provided in Subsections G and H of this Section, anyone who operates a motor vehicle registered in this state in violation of the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than one hundred fifty dollars for a first offense, not more than two hundred fifty dollars for a second offense, and not more than three hundred fifty dollars for a third or subsequent offense.
F. Except as provided in Subsections G and H of this Section, anyone who violates the provisions of this, or any rules or regulations applicable thereto shall be fined in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:57.
G. Any seller, installer, manufacturer, or distributor of a sun screening device who violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined one thousand dollars for a first offense, two thousand dollars for a second offense, and shall be prohibited from conducting any business specified in this Section upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense.
H. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1994, unless exempted in accordance with R.S. 32:361.1.
I. All vehicles that have windows tinted on or before December 31, 1993, in compliance with then existing provisions of law are exempt from the provisions of this Section, provided that a certificate is obtained by the owner, operator, or licensee certifying that the tinting was done prior to January 1, 1994. The office of motor vehicles shall adopt rules, regulations, and a form for proof of prior tinting in accordance with provisions of this Subsection. The certificate must be present in the vehicle at all times when being operated and presented upon demand by a law enforcement officer.
J. The provisions of this Section apply to any other vehicles not included in Subsections H and I of this Section on and after January 1, 1994.
Acts 1983, No. 209, §1; Acts 1986, No. 525, §1; Acts 1989, No. 275, §1, Acts 1989, No. 663, §1; Acts 1992, No. 201, §1; Acts 1993, No. 519, §1; Acts 2006, No. 459, §1.