Hey team,

I've been gone for a while due to being back in grad school and working full time. I'm trying to change my plates from oregon to Maryland and of course I had to get a safety inspection. Well I "failed" on the following items:
1) LED in Gauge cluster indicating NEUTRAL gear position was out
2) One reverse light was out
3) Lights on auto-shifter indicating gear position are "too dim"
4) Tint on all the windows
5) Lisence plate lights are "too dim"

I went to DARCARS Toyota/Scion in Silver Spring. Items 1 and 2 are legit, and I've fixed them both.
3 is a load, because i replaced the shifter light with an LED so that the L appears dimmer, but still clearly visible in complete darkness. So i'm getting the stock bulb to replace to pass the inspection then put the led back in.
Same with 5

The question I have is about the tint. I know that my tint is legal in Maryland. It was 35% all around which is the maximum legal tint in Oregon, and its the exact same percentage here in Maryland. But the guy just said "it looked a little too dark". So he didn't measure it or anything. I don't know how I can convince him that he's full of it and it is in fact legal. Any ideas?

 

you are correct. 35% is legal limit. but the problem with tint is, your windows have a VERY small factory tint. And the tint itself isnt always a perfect 35%. you can go to a police station and ask a cop to measure the tint percentage for you, and tell them why you are requesting it. more than likely you will be JUST over 35% (lie 36% - 39%). its a PITA, but good luck man.

 

So all my windows passed except the rear, which was 20%, so I had to take it off *sigh*.

For future reference, to get the tint tested you have to go to a MVA office that has a state trooper there. They have limited hours each week so call mva and find the best time/place for you

 

sucks =/
but welcome back