You actually may pass even with the tint, because another thing you have going for you is that you have a dark color Z. I've parked mine next to a guy whose yellow Z had identical tint, and his looked much darker by comparison, just because of contrast.

Might be worth a shot to just take it up there, or look into finding a couple bucks under-the-table solution.

True, plus I have red seats instead of black, so that should help.

If its just tint, I'd recommend removing so you can pass inspection. Less pain all the way around. Then have it put back on later.

That will cost me about $250....

Pretty much Nick ... sorry. You could always do like Shado said, take it to a place where they might give you a pass with the tint, otherwise have the tint taken out.

I guess ill give it a shot. It's not even that dark...I could understand if it was 5%.

Yea I had no chance of passing with 5%, with 20% just ask around for a friendly place and slide a couple bucks under the table.

My uncle did this with his Corvette when he had to take it in for emissions. He was running cat-less with no chance of passing but he accidentally left a $20 on the dash of his car when he took it in for emissions and he somehow passed. :tup:

I called a couple of places today, and they said if there is tint, it either has to be removed, or passed by the police station. Can any cop pass it? My sister is friends with one...

I would seriously just take it in and hope for the best. Don't mention the tint, and play dumb if the ask you about it. Say you asked for what was legal.


This is the list of what they have to look over in MD. 90% of places won't even bother looking for tint, they want you in and out since inspections are boring and don't make any money. I've had cars pass with no cats.

1.OBTAIN VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND ODOMETER READING

2. INSPECT STEERING FOR:
(A) STEERING WHEEL CONDITION
(B) STEERING COLUMN CONDITION
(C) LASH
(D) TRAVEL FOR JAMMING OR BINDING
(E) LINKAGE FOR EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY
(F) POWER STEERING CONDITION
(G) VEHICLE MUST BE ROAD TESTED

3. INSPECT WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR:
(A) TOE READING
(B) CASTER AND CAMBER ONLY IF ROAD TEST INDICATES
(C) REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT & AXLE

4. INSPECT SUSPENSION FOR:
(A) BALL JOINT WEAR
(B) KING PIN OR SPINDLE BOLT CONDITION
(C) WHEEL BEARING CONDITION
(D) SPRINGS AND TORSION BAR CONDITION
(E) SHOCK ABSORBER OR STRUT CONDITION

5. INSPECT BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR:
(A) STOPPING DISTANCE, EITHER ROAD TEST OR DECELEROMETER
(B) HYDRAULIC SYSTEM CONDITION
(C) DRUM AND DISC CONDITION
(D) LINING AND PAD CONDITION
2/32 INCH GENERAL MINIMUM
(E) GENERAL CONDITION OF MECHANICAL LINKAGE
(F) VACUUM OR HYDRAULIC BOOSTER SYSTEM
CONDITION
(G) PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION

6. INSPECT TIRES AND WHEELS FOR:
(A) CONDITION OF TIRES, SIZE, TYPE AND TREAD DEPTH
(B) CONDITION OF WHEELS, NUTS, STUDS, OR LUGS

7. INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
(A) FUEL TANK CONDITION AND LEAKS
(B) CHOKE, HAND THROTTLE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATION

8. INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
(A) CONDITION OF MANIFOLD, ALL PIPING, MUFFLER, RESONATOR AND THE TAIL PIPING. TO INCLUDE LEAKS AND PROPER MOUNTING

9. INSPECT BUMPERS FOR:
(A) CONDITION OF BUMPERS INCLUDING HEIGHT AND PROPER MOUNTING

10. INSPECT FENDERS FOR:
(A) CONDITION OF FENDERS TO INCLUDE MOUNTING AND COVERAGE OF WHEELS AND TIRES

11. INSPECT LIGHTING FOR:
(A) CONDITION AND FUNCTION OF OF ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT LIGHTING AND WHATEVER ADDED LIGHTS ARE AUTHORIZED.
(B) INSPECT HEAD LIGHTS FOR CONDITION, CANDLE POWER OUTPUT AND AIM
(C) INSPECT AUXILIARY OR FOG LIGHTS FOR AIM AND PROPER MOUNTING

12. INSPECT MIRRORS FOR:
(A) CONDITION OF MIRRORS TO INCLUDE UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRRORS WHEN REQUIRED

13. INSPECT VEHICLE GLAZING FOR:
(A) PROPER MATERIALS USED FOR SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
(B) OPERATION OF DRIVER WINDOW
(C) DAMAGE THAT EXCEEDS ALLOWABLE LIMITS
(D) TINTING NOT INCORPORATED INTO THE GLAZING EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE PROCEDURES.

14. INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR:
(A) SATISFACTORY OPERATION AND CONDITION OF ARMS AND BLADES

15. INSPECT HOOD/CATCHES FOR:
(A) CONDITION AND PROPER FUNCTION OF HOOD FOR FULL CLOSURE

16. INSPECT DOORS, HANDLES AND LATCHES FOR:
(A) CONDITION AND PROPER FUNCTION OF ALL DOORS, LATCHES, HINGES AND
HANDLES

17. INSPECT FLOOR AND TRUNK FOR:
(A) HOLES OR RUSTED OUT AND WEAKENED CONDITIONS IN FLOOR OR TRUNK PAN

18. INSPECT SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER FOR:
(A) OPERATION AND LEGIBILITY
(B) REGISTER IN MPH OR KILOMETERS

19. INSPECT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR:
(A) PROPER CONDITION AND FUNCTION OF HORN
(B) CONDITION OF WIRING AND SWITCHES
(C) NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ONLY
(D) CONDITION OF BATTERY CABLES AND HOLD DOWN

20. INSPECT DRIVERS SEAT FOR:
(A) PRESENCE, CONDITION AND MOUNTING

21. INSPECT SAFETY BELTS FOR:
(A) PRESENCE, CONDITION AND OPERATION AND MOUNTING

22. INSPECT MOTOR MOUNTS:
(A) IF ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED WITH; CHECK PRESENCE AND CONDITION

23. INSPECT GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR FOR:
(A) PROPER INDICATION OF CORRECT POSITION

24. INSPECT UNIVERSAL JOINTS / CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINTS FOR:
(A) ATTACHMENT AND WORN, DAMAGED, OR LOOSE JOINTS
(B) TORN OF DAMAGED CV BOOTS

25. INSPECT EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER CONNECTION:
(A) CATALYTIC CONVERTER
(B) POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION
(C) AIR INJECTION SYSTEM
(D) EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
(E) EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM