Hey all,

So I've been looking to get my windows tinted, but unfortunately in Virginia you're not allowed to tint over the third brake light. Now, I doubt that I'll be getting pulled over because of it, but if I'm going to fail the state inspection, then I need to come up with a solution. I have the stone (gray) interior with blue slate, so the cutout will really standout.

I thought about picking up the raised wing spoiler to utilize the third brake light that comes with it, but the more I look at it, the more I'd rather do without it. I plan on picking up the stillen spoiler or the euro spoiler. (If only someone could come out with a Tommy Kaira replica for cheap!)

At first I thought about taking out the rear deck and painting the third brake light housing black so it could blend in with the tint a bit better, but then I thought about this:

What if I ask the tint shop to make a removable insert that I can stick on there with double-stick tape, and take off for inspections? I could provide a transparency sheet for them to use and they can just apply the tint on there.

What do you guys think? Has anybody else been in a similar predicament?

 

They really dont care about tint on inspections.. im in NY and we are required to have a front plate and no tints in the front windows and only 70% or less in the rear.. I have no front plate, 50% on my windshield, and 15% everywhere else (covering my brake light).. And I passed my inspection no questions asked.. They only really care about safty stuff like exhaust, tires, brakes etc.. tint over that sucker..

 

Actually in Virginia they're pretty strict. It's illegal to cover up the third brake light according to law and they won't pass the inspection here. Thanks for your input though!

 

I'm in MD and although we don't require inspection every 4 years like VA, I think they wouldn't fail you as long as you're still at legal limit. Now, tinted windshield or 5% tint, that's a whole other story (tinted windshield deserves to get failed imo).

Even though I dont think they would fail you, i also heir on the side of caution to avoid issues later. The shop should pull the plastic cover off the light and cut the tint to end inside the housing, this way you wont be able to tell since its closed off anyways.

If you have a tan/gray interior I would spray can the inside of the plastic black. That's all if you want to play it safe, I still think it would pass.