New Hampshire - Mods, Laws, Inspections, and BS

Good morning New Hampshiremen, I could not find a thread of this sort dedicated to NH, so I wanted to start a thead for discussing modifications and the laws governing them in the state. This could also serve as a place for people to report any difficulties they run into during inspection, for the benefit of everyone else, or for any topic that's relevant to NH only.

Out of all the stickied threads, the NH one gets almost no love, but considering that I see a fellow Tacoma every 30 seconds on the road, I know you guys are out there.

The question that made me create the thread will be posted below:

 

Regarding window tint, the laws were pretty clear until I reached the part discussing SUVs and pickup trucks.

From the General Court of NH website:

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266:58-a Tinted Glass. –
I. It shall be unlawful to sell or inspect any motor vehicle in this state which has after market tinting on the windshield.
II. It shall be unlawful to install after market tinting on the windshield on any motor vehicle which is registered in this state.
III. It shall be unlawful to drive on any way any motor vehicle registered in this state which has after market tinting on the windshield. Where after market tinting is applied to windows to the rear of the driver, outside rear view mirrors shall be required on both the left and right side of the vehicle for the use of the driver and a front seat passenger. The light transmittance of after-market tinted windows to the left and right of the driver where they are allowed shall not be less than 70 percent, and the light transmittance of after-market tinted rear windows where they are allowed shall not be less than 35 percent, except that the light transmittance of after market tinted rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles, as defined in 49 C.F.R. section 571.3 and pickup trucks may be such percentage as is allowed by 49 C.F.R. section 571.205 with respect to pre-market tinted rear windows.
III-a. Persons who require for medical reasons after market tinting on the windshield may apply for a special permit pursuant to RSA 266:61-a, IX.
IV. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the administration and enforcement of this section.
V. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit after market tinting of the windshield of a vehicle with a strip not wider than 6 inches located at the very top of the windshield, provided that the light transmittance of the strip shall not be less than 35 percent.
VI. Any natural person or any other person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation.

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So pretty straight forward: no tint on the windshield (unless you have a waiver), 70% on front sides, 35% on back sides and rear.

However, then you get to the underlined part discussing pre-market tinted rear windows on pickup trucks. When I tried to look at 49 C.F.R. section 571.205, it's discussing "glazing materials" related to glass, and I cannot find any mention of an allowed percentage for Visible Light Transmission? Maybe someone more well-versed in legalese can translate this?

 

My favorite setup for window tint is having nothing on the windshield, and 5% everywhere else. So I know that I'm going to have to mess with it yearly at inspection time, but Im hopeful that I'll just be able to rip off and re-tint the front sides for inspection, and leave all the back at 5%.

I have not heard of anyone running into any difficulty with police in my area (Lakes Region), and I know a guy with 20% on his windshield and 5% everywhere else (absolute blackout look from the outside) who says that inspections are the hurdle, not police.

My setup this year, clear windshield, 20% sides and rear, not dark enough for my liking...

 

Bumper heights

NHS 21-266-9

Cars/ SUV's 16" to 20" measured to bottom of bumper

Trucks 16" to 30" measured to bottom of bumper