Window Tint on a Hearse?

[The Horologist]

I was looking around for PA laws on tinting the windows on a hearse, and this is the only thing I could find:

(e) Sun screening and other materials prohibited.

(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle.

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) A vehicle which is equipped with tinted windows of the type and specification that were installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or to any hearse, ambulance, government vehicle or any other vehicle for which a currently valid certificate of exemption has been issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the department.

Does this mean there is no regulation on window tinting on a hearse? For example, could a hearse have windows tinted as dark as is desired by the driver, tint on the windshield, etc? Are there any regulations listed elsewhere that I missed?

[Curt581]

Let me get this straight.... you want super dark tinted windows so badly that you're willing to buy and drive a hearse?

And no... no state that I'm aware of allows aftermarket tint on the windshield.

[The Horologist]

I already own and drive a hearse.

As far as the windshield thing goes, doesn't the section quoted state that hearses are exempt from regulations on all windows including the windshield?

[Curt581]

Here's an idea... why not paint the windows all black, or better yet, remove them altogether and sheet-metal over the openings and install a periscope to see where you're going?

How cool is that?

[The Horologist]

Why not reply with relevant information to my question, rather than trying to be a troll and belittle me?

[cntryboy0531]

In Florida, a hearse owned by a Funeral Home, that is actually used to move bodies, is registered as such with the state. I don't think the exemption would apply to a prviately owned hearse that is now used for private transportation.

Off topic, im not stopping a hearse that is currently in operation by a funeral home. That's just bad juju....

[The Horologist]

In Florida, a hearse owned by a Funeral Home, that is actually used to move bodies, is registered as such with the state. I don't think the exemption would apply to a prviately owned hearse that is now used for private transportation.

How would I know if that would be the case in PA? I haven't been able to find anyting other than what I quoted [Ch. 45 75 Section 4524 (e)(2)(i)], and I don't see anything in the section that clearly states I'd need a certificate of exemption.

[Curt581]

Why not reply with relevant information to my question, rather than trying to be a troll and belittle me?

Because anything that reduces your ability to see through the windshield is dangerous.. I'm not concerned so much about you, but I do care about other cars and pedestrians on and around the roadway that you might not be able to see in dusk or inclement weather conditions. Yo obviously don't care.

If you're not a mortician hauling a casket, then it's not a hearse. It's a jazzed up station wagon and the exempton does not apply.

[greg72982]

(e) Sun screening and other materials prohibited.

(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sun screening device or other material which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window of the vehicle.

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) A vehicle which is equipped with tinted windows of the type and specification that were installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or to any hearse, ambulance, government vehicle or any other vehicle for which a currently valid certificate of exemption has been issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the department.

Does this mean there is no regulation on window tinting on a hearse? For example, could a hearse have windows tinted as dark as is desired by the driver, tint on the windshield, etc? Are there any regulations listed elsewhere that I missed?

...and I don't see anything in the section that clearly states I'd need a certificate of exemption.

Really? Read the bold section I don't think it could spell it out any clearer. Cntryboy is correct, it has to be a currently registered hearse for a funeral service. Your personal hearse is not included.

Now I have to ask you some questions:

1. I know this is not your first post about hearses on here. What is the obsession with driving an ugly vehicle formerly used for hauling dead people?

2. What is your obsession with tinting the windows? What are you trying to hide?

[The Horologist]

The reason why I say "clearly" is because the way (2)(i) is written out. The section can either be broken up into three parts, or could be seen as one single statement. For example:

"A vehicle which is equipped with tinted windows of the type and specification that were installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or to any hearse, ambulance, government vehicle or any other vehicle for which a currently valid certificate of exemption has been issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the department."

Either the three sections would be separated by "or" because there are no commas to seperate the sections, or they would all relating to a single topic because there are no commas. Grammatically, you couldn't say "These two sections are separated without a comma, but the other two aren't" in this case, because they're in the same sentence. This is where my confusion stems from; it's isn't clear from how the section is presented. This is why I'm seeking clarification from a statute, or any other law.

Now I have to ask you some questions:

1. I know this is not your first post about hearses on here. What is the obsession with driving an ugly vehicle formerly used for hauling dead people?

2. What is your obsession with tinting the windows? What are you trying to hide?

1) No obsession; it's my only vehicle (the only one I could afford to buy at the time) and I've grown to like it. I'm looking to turn it into a daily driver show car.

2) Again, no obsession, just looking to turn it into a show car. It's not a car that appeals to everyone, but everyone is different.

Because anything that reduces your ability to see through the windshield is dangerous.. I'm not concerned so much about you, but I do care about other cars and pedestrians on and around the roadway that you might not be able to see in dusk or inclement weather conditions. Yo obviously don't care.

I never said I wanted to get tint on the windshield.

If you're not a mortician hauling a casket, then it's not a hearse. It's a jazzed up station wagon and the exempton does not apply.

The car is registered as a hearse.

[JakeLock]

It appears to me the only thing exempt is the rear windows on a hearse. The fronts appear to still fall under the tint law. The lowest tint law that I've seen is 50%. Any tint on the windshield in ANY state is illegal.

[Samuel]

SSOB poster now on ignore... ::CLICK::

[PapaBear]

I was looking around for PA laws on tinting the windows on a hearse, and this is the only thing I could find:



Does this mean there is no regulation on window tinting on a hearse? For example, could a hearse have windows tinted as dark as is desired by the driver, tint on the windshield, etc? Are there any regulations listed elsewhere that I missed?

Maybe you missed this in your reading:

(2) This subsection does not apply to:

(i) A vehicle which is equipped with tinted windows of the type and specification that were installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle or to any hearse, ambulance, government vehicle or any other vehicle for which a currently valid certificate of exemption has been issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the department.

You have to read the entire section; not just what you want to read!

No state permits after market tint on the windshield. Most do not permit it on the front side windows to the right and left of the driver.

You should also research the definition of a hearse in your state. If the vehicle is being used as a daily vehicle and not being used to transport the deceased remains of an individual, it may not be allowed the exemption. For example; if you purchased an old, used hearse for a personal vehicle it is no longer a hearse.

[mcsap]

PA does not issue " hearse " license plates. It either is a hearse because it is used to transport dead bodies by a funeral home or it is a a FORMER hearse , now an unusual passenger car which gets no window tint exemptions.

Just like police cars are exempt from window tint regs. But if you buy a retired police car , you no longer qualify as the car is no longer a police car.

[Curt581]

I never said I wanted to get tint on the windshield.

Yes... you did... in your first post:

Does this mean there is no regulation on window tinting on a hearse? For example, could a hearse have windows tinted as dark as is desired by the driver, tint on the windshield, etc? Are there any regulations listed elsewhere that I missed?

Let's reduce this to what it is. You want to do something. The law says you can't. You want us to do your research to find which law actually says you can't. In other words, you want us to prove to your satisfaction that you can't do what you want.

Sorry. We don't do that.

If you want to test the limits of the law, then by all means do whatever you want and when you get the ticket, take it to court. THAT is where you debate what a law says or means.