(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "Light reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by a product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

(2) "Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, which is allowed to pass through a surface to the amount of light falling on the surface.

(3) "Manufacturer" means a person who produces or assembles a vehicle glass-coating material or who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety-glazing material, which material reduces light transmission.

(4) "Material" means any transparent product or substance which reduces light transmission.

(5) "Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle designed to carry ten persons or less which is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(b) Except as provided in this Code section, from and after January 1, 1990, it shall be unlawful for any resident person to operate a motor vehicle in this state:

(1) Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the front windshield, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield; or

(2) Which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the rear windshield or the side or door windows, which material and glazing when so applied or affixed reduce light transmission through the windshield or window to less than 32 percent or increase light reflectance to more than 20 percent.

(c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section shall not apply to:

(1) Adjustable sun visors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass;

(2) Signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver or signs, stickers, or other matter which is displayed in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver;

(3) Direction, destination, or termination signs upon a passenger common carrier motor vehicle if the signs do not interfere with the driver's clear view of approaching traffic;

(4) Any transparent item which is not red or amber in color which is placed on the uppermost six inches of the windshield;

(5) Any federal, state, or local sticker or certificate which is required by law to be placed on any windshield or window; (6) The rear windshield or the side or door windows, except those windows to the right and left of the driver of:

(A) A multipurpose passenger vehicle;

(B) A school bus, any other bus used for public transportation, and any bus or van owned or leased by any religious or any nonprofit organization duly incorporated under the laws of this state;

(C) Any limousine owned or leased by a public or private entity; or

(D) Any other vehicle, the windows or windshields of which have been tinted or darkened before factory delivery or permitted by federal law or regulation;

(7) Any motor vehicle not registered in this state; or

(8) Any law enforcement vehicle.

(d) The Department of Motor Vehicle Safety may, upon application from a person required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun and only if such application is supported by written attestation of such fact from a person licensed to practice medicine under Chapter 34 of Title 43, issue an exemption from the provisions of this Code section for any motor vehicle owned by such person or in which such person is a habitual passenger. The exemption shall be issued with such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety.

(e) From and after January 1, 1990, each manufacturer of material designed to be affixed or applied to the windows or windshields of a motor vehicle shall, before shipping such material into this state, apply to the commissioner of public safety for approval and registration of its material and the label for identification and certification of compliance. No material shall be approved by the commissioner unless the manufacturer demonstrates that such material, when applied or affixed to a window, shall not reduce light transmission or increase light reflectance in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section. The manufacturer of any material shipped into this state on or after January 1, 1990, shall provide labels of a size and type approved by the commissioner, written instructions for the placement of such labels, and a notice that the improper installation of material to a window or windshield or the failure to display a label as provided in this subsection is a violation of state law. It shall be unlawful for any person to alter or reproduce any label approved by the commissioner or to knowingly use any approved label except as authorized by this Code section.

(f) From and after January 1, 1990, any motor vehicle which has material and glazing applied or affixed to the windows or rear windshield of such vehicle, which material and glazing have reduced the light transmission through such window or windshield or increased the light reflectance of such window or windshield, shall display a label visible from the outside of such vehicle indicating that such windows and windshield are in compliance with the light transmission and light reflectance requirements as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. From and after January 1, 1990, no person shall install any material upon the windshields or windows of any motor vehicle, the installation of which would result in a reduction of light transmission or an increase in light reflectance in violation of subsection (b) of this Code section.

(g) The Department of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section.

(h) Any person who violates subsection (b), (e), or (f) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.