Depends on the State rules. Trucks, stepvans, vans - don't have rear windows to begin with... just side mirrors.
It is legal here. So is tinting. The front side windows can be a certain percent, and all the windows behind the driver can be as dark as you want.
What draws more "legal" attention in these parts is the tint of the driver, not the windows.
CD
That's terrible. But, you can't really compare to trucks and stepvans. I had a stepvan and the mirrors were huge and they gave visibility that car mirrors just don't. I won't even drive with my rear window iced over.Depends on the State rules. Trucks, stepvans, vans - don't have rear windows to begin with... just side mirrors.
I was working in Austin a week or so back, and love that city. Their motto is Keep Austin Weird.
I pulled up behind this car covered in artificial turf.
CD
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I rented a minivan. The mirrors were inadequate. I backed into someone in a parking lot. After hitting the other car, I tried to see what I hit. I couldn't, even while leaning towards the mirrors. I had to open the door to see the car. Luckily, it was deemed her fault. She had pulled out (going forwards) of her parking spot without looking.Anyone want to hazard a guess that there are golf clubs in the trunk. Handy if he gets stuck in traffic.
Taxy - I have driven trucks, stepvans, full-size vans and currently drive a mini-van. Side mirrors show so much more than a rear view. I'm not saying not to have or use one. But I have often driven my mini-van with furniture, animals, hay that easily block the rear view. I'm only saying it is not crucial.
Which reminds me of a sign on some rigs that I've often seen.
"If you can't see my mirrors... I can't see you."
I think that pretty much says it all. Because as you know if you get rear-ended it is never your fault.
Our current car has a camera. I’m conflicted using it. I find myself switching back and forth among the camera, mirrors, and head turning.
The mirrors were inadequate. I backed into someone in a parking lot. After hitting the other car, I tried to see what I hit. I couldn't, even while leaning towards the mirrors. I had to open the door to see the car..
Frelling inadequate mirrors was what the problem was. I never had problems seeing properly when backing up with truck mirrors. I was actually surprised by how much easier it was to parallel park the stepvan than a car. It didn't have power steering and weighed 3 metric tonnes and was still easier.LOL, taxy you were lucky! I admit it does take experience to drive with only side mirrors - large or small. The younger generation probably have absolutely no idea what it is like. Not to mention shifting gears! (that's another story)
Just be glad - it could have been like me... a 24' straight body that I backed into another parked car and put a beautifully perfect triangular humongous dent into a Crown Vic. hood and engine. I felt nothing as I continued to back up. Only found out after I pulled forward to straighten out a bit to fit into the spot. There was a new young jockey working at the time - I asked him why he didn't yell at me or something! all he could say was he thought I knew... wha??? you don't feel much in a truck that size, certainly not in slow motion of backing up. (ps. Budget on Sources LOL)
Actually I don't think they are outlawed because of 'driving impairment' but for police protection!
I was actually surprised by how much easier it was to parallel park the stepvan than a car. It didn't have power steering and weighed 3 metric tonnes and was still easier.