New Tint, Plate Cover, Antique Exhaust, and Motorcycle Regulations '22

Please reference this new regulation regarding window tint. Additional new regulations will be sent to all inspection units in a second email (to follow).

266:58-a Tinted Glass. –

1. It shall be unlawful to sell or inspect any motor vehicle in this state which has after market tinting on the windshield.
2. It shall be unlawful to install after market tinting on the windshield on any motor vehicle which is registered in this state.
3. 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.
4. The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to the administration and enforcement of this section.
5. 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.
6. Any natural person or any other person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation.

Source. 1989, 160:1. 1990, 44:1. 1997, 252:4, eff. Aug. 18, 1997. 2021, 185:2, eff. July 2, 2022.

If you have any questions concerning this notification, please contact the Dealer Inspection Desk at 603-227-4120.

Please reference the new regulations regarding plate covers, side exhaust on antiques and handlebars for motorcycles.

 261:176 Misuse or Failure to Display Plates. –

1. Any person who knowingly attaches or permits to be attached to a vehicle a number plate assigned by the department, or authority of any other jurisdiction, to another vehicle or who knowingly obscures or permits to be obscured the figures or letters on any number plate attached to any vehicle or who knowingly and deliberately fails to display on a vehicle the number plates and the registration number duly issued therefore shall be guilty of a violation.
2. Any person who applies or permits to be applied any covering to a license plate that is colored, smoked, or tinted shall be guilty of a violation.
3. The fine for a violation of this section shall be $150.

Source. RSA 262:27-c. 1967, 281:1. 1973, 528:140. 1979, 358:13. 1981, 146:1. 2005, 177:36, eff. July 1, 2005. 2021, 55:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.

266:77 Handlebars. – It shall be illegal to drive a motorcycle with improvised, defective, or repaired handlebars.

Source. RSA 263:29-a. 1967, 443:1. 1975, 422:1. 1981, 146:1. 2002, 30:1, eff. June 7, 2002. 2017, 48:1, eff. July 11, 2017.

266:117 Equipment Authorized for Antique Motor Vehicles. – Exhaust systems discharging along the side of the vehicle shall be allowed on antique motor vehicles, provided the exhaust discharge point is to the rear edge of either door if the vehicle has 2 doors and to the rear edge of either rear door if the vehicle has 4 doors, and any such system shall direct exhaust gas away from the vehicle.

Source. 2022, 81:1, eff. July 19, 2022.

If you have any questions concerning this notification, please contact the Dealer Inspection Desk at 603-227-4120

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