If you’re looking to get your car windows tinted (or even tinting them yourself), you might want to double check the window tinting laws in your state. As with many regulations, window tinting laws vary state by state and can be nuanced and hard to understand. This may not be a problem if your car has never and will never leave the state, but it can get complicated for those who travel a lot, purchase out-of-state vehicles or move around the country. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place.
Find the best Car Window Tinting near you on Yelp - see all Car Window Tinting open now. Explore other popular Home Services near you from over 7 million businesses with over 142 million reviews and opinions from Yelpers. Tinted windows cannot measure darker than 32 percent with a North Carolina-approved window tint meter. The tint on a windshield cannot extend more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield or below the AS1 line of the windshield, whichever is longer.
We’ve consolidated all the information you need to know to make sure your cool tinted windows are legal.
These are the terms you need to know in order to interpret the various state laws and limits.
VLT%: Visible light transmission is the measurement used to assess automotive window tints. This is the percent of visible light that gets through either the film (film VLT%) or window plus film net VLT%. The lower the VLT%, the darker the tint.
Front-side window tint level: This is the amount of tint (VLT%) you’re allowed on your driver and front passenger windows. This is frequently a higher value than for the rear, which allows the driver of the vehicle to be seen from outside.
Rear-side window tint level: This is the amount of tint (VLT%) you’re allowed on your rear side windows. This value is sometimes different for passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs).
Rear window tint level: This is the amount of tint (VLT%) you’re allowed on your rear window. This value is typically the same as for the rear side windows, but some states are more restrictive.
Windshield: Your windshield cannot be tinted in any state, but some states allow you to add a sticker to the top of the windshield, usually in the area of the manufacturer’s sun shield.
Color: The state laws on tint color vary from no restrictions at all to restrictions on the use of certain colors or reflective/mirrored finishes.
AS-1 Line: This is the line extending from the letters AS-1, found on most motor vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.
| State | Front Sides | Rear Sides | Rear Window | Windshield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6' |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 30% | 5' |
| Arizona | 33% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% | 10% | 5' |
| California | 70% | ANY | ANY | 4' |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% | 4' |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | ANY | AS1 |
| Delaware | 70% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| District of Columbia | 70% | 50% | 50% | 5'/AS1 |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | AS1 |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6' |
| Hawaii | 32% | 35% | 35% | 70% light |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | AS1 |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6' |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | AS1 |
| Iowa | 70% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | AS1 |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | AS1 |
| Maine | 35% | ANY | ANY | 4' |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5' |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6' |
| Michigan | 4' | ANY | ANY | 4' |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | NONE |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | AS1 |
| Missouri | 35% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | AS1 |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | 5'/AS1 |
| Nevada | 35% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| New Hampshire | NONE | 35% | 35% | 6' |
| New Jersey | NONE | ANY | ANY | NONE |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | 5'/AS1 |
| New York | 70% | 70% | ANY | 6' |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| North Dakota | 50% | ANY | ANY | <70% |
| Ohio | 50% | ANY | ANY | <70% |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | 5'/AS1 |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6' |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | NONE |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | AS1 |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% | AS1 |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | AS1 |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Texas | 25% | 25% | ANY | 5'/AS1 |
| Utah | 43% | ANY | ANY | AS1 |
| Vermont | NONE | ANY | 32% | 32% |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | 6' |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5' |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS1 |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | 5'/AS1 |
Exceptions
Most states make exceptions for medical reasons. There are some illnesses and conditions that make people light sensitive and most laws have made provisions for these cases. If that’s you, you can apply a darker tint than the state normally allows, but you’ll need to carry a doctor’s note with you in your car.
Interpretation
Even if most of the laws for state window tint are straightforward, some use slightly ambiguous terms that leave some room for law enforcement and licensing agencies to interpret. Terms like “non-reflective” or “non-excessive” are impossible to measure and won’t have the same meaning for every person. Use your best discretion but it may be best to stay on the safe side to avoid headaches in the future.
One important thing to keep in mind is that most vehicles have a certain amount of light transmission blockage straight from the factory, which measures between 70-80%. This needs to be considered when you’re adding custom tint, so that you stay within the legal limits.
Sources
International Window Film Association
AAA Digest of Motor Laws
RVINYL
Window tinting on our vehicles is something we’ve grown accustomed to. It is one of the more popular car upgrades today. In some states, it’s near necessary. Modern car windows are treated using a special polyester material called window tint. It’s meant to protect passengers from UV (UltraViolet) rays of the sun.
Many car owners havewindow tint for protection from the sun, privacy, and other benefits. Even as a customization feature for improved looks and style. Today, “black is the new black” and dark tint is one of people’s all-time favorite colors. If you want that extra dark limo tint, though, be careful and check your state laws below first. Many states have laws prohibiting the level of tint that allowed.
Window film can add aesthetic value to your car and reduce the glare from the sun. Tinting windows can alsoprotect your car’s interior. It can also protect the people inside from the damage of UV rays.
While window tint offers other benefits, one potential drawback is poor visibility for drivers if the tint is too dark. On the other hand, law enforcement and police can’t see inside your car. Every state has window tint laws to dictate how much tinting is allowed on each window of your vehicle. These state laws allow drivers to use window tint and keep everyone around them safe.
Here is a breakdown of the different car window tinting laws and regulations by state. This information can help you make the right choices for your car. As you read these laws, remember that window tint percentages refer to the amount of light allowed in. This is also known as the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percent. The windshield tinting laws refer to the amount of the windshield that can be legally tinted or the amount of tint allowed on the entire windshield, depending on the state’s regulations.
Here are the window tint laws, including the darkest legal tint percentages in your state. Click your state below to jump the chart: California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New York, Michigan, Virginia.
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Windows | Windshield | Reflectivity | Other Restrictions |
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6 inches | no more than 20% reflective | none |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% | 5 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | no red, yellow or amber tinting allowed |
| Arizona | 33% | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 35% reflective | red and amber not permitted, back window tinting requires the use of dual side mirrors |
| Arkansas | 25% | 10% | 5 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | none | |
| 70% | any | any | 4 inches | no more reflective than a standard window | red, amber, and blue not allowed. dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows | |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% | 4 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | red and amber not permitted, back window tinting requires the use of dual side mirrors |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | any | non-reflective tint above the as-1 line | no more than 21% reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Delaware | 70% | any | any | non-reflective tint above the as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | non-reflective tint allowed above the as-1 line | no more than 25% reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6 inches | no more than 20% reflective | red and amber not allowed |
| Hawaii | 35% | 35% | 35% | no inch requirent, must allow 70% of light | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 35% reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | must be non-reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 25% reflective | none |
| Iowa | 70% | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no excessive reflections allowed, but not specified | none |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 25% reflective | none |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 20% reflective | none |
| Maine | 35% | any | any | 4 inches | must be non-reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches | no law | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | no more than 35% reflective | must have dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Michigan | any percent, but only 4 inches from the top of window | any | any | 4 inches | no more than 35% reflective | none |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | none allowed | no more than 20% reflective | none |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 20% reflective | none |
| Missouri | 35% | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 35% reflective | must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 35% reflective | none |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no more than 35% reflective | unclear on side mirrors, but red, amber and yellow are not permitted |
| Nevada | 35% | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no law | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| New Hampshire | no tinting allowed | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| New Jersey | no tinting allowed | any | any | no tint allowed | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no law | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| 70% | 70% | any | 6 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows | |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 20% reflective | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| North Dakota | 50% | any | any | no more than 70% | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Ohio | 50% | any | any | no more than 70% | no more reflective than a standard window | none |
Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no more than 20% reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | no more than 13% reflective | red, green, yellow, black and amber tints are not allowed, and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | none allowed | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no law | none |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | must be non-reflective | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | none |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | none |
| 25% | 25% | any | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no more than 25% reflective | red, amber, and blue not allowed. dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows | |
| Utah | 43% | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Vermont | no tinting allowed | any | any | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no metallic or mirrored tinting | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no more than 20% reflective | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | 6 inches | no more than 35% reflective | red, green, yellow, black and amber tints are not allowed, and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Washington D.C. | 70% | 50 percent for cars, 35 percent for multi-purpose vehicles | 50 percent for cars, 35 percent for multi-purpose vehicles | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no law | none |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches | 20% reflective | red, amber and yellow are prohibited and must have dual side mirrors for back tinted windows |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line | no law | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | 5 inches or as-1 line, whichever comes first | no more than 20% reflective | dual side mirrors required for back tinted windows |
For more detailed information and up-to-date state laws, visitthis page. New York just recently updated its state tint law for 2018. To learn more about these specific changes, visit our2018 New York tint laws page.
At-A-Glance: Legal Window Tint Percentage Levels in the US by State
Why is window tint illegal in some states?
Most states prohibit window tinting for safety and security purposes. Tinting limits the amount of light that enters the car but can make it hard to view the street. Limited vision leads to an increased number of accidents on the road. The other reason why tinting may be illegal is for public safety when it comes to the police and other federal agencies. Extremely dark tint can be obstructive to investigations, and dangerous during traffic stops and other incidents.
Can one get pulled over for having tinted windows?
The answer is, sometimes. It is entirely dependent on the state one is in and the laws that govern that state. Many states have legalized some degree of tinting. Tinting done in the lines of these laws is permitted so you would not get pulled over. If the tint laws that are in place are not followed, you may be subject to being pulled over. In other states, tinting is entirely illegal. Any form of illegal tinting would attract negative attention from law enforcement. You need to understand and follow the laws of your state, as they do vary.
Is limo tint (blacked out tint) legal?
In the US, the tinting laws vary from state to state defined by the Department of Motor Vehicles in each location. Taking the state of California for example, the rules permit the tinting of the front passenger window only up to 70%. This means that these windows should allow a minimum of 70% visible light through them. This means that ‘limo tint’ is not permitted on these windows.
California window tint law
It is generally sunny all year round, so it is common for cars in California to have tint. California window tint must meet specific requirements under the state’s law.
Here are the laws you must abide by in the state of California:
- Use a tint that is green, gray, or neutral smoke in color.
- Have a luminous transmittance of at least 70%. The legal VLT % in California is 70% VLT.
- Must not increase reflectivity for front and back windows.
Tinted Window Shades
Learn more details on our California window tint laws page.
Front window tint strip law
The ‘eyebrow’ (the little strip on the car’s windshield) is also permitted as long as it meets your state’s laws. These small front window tint strips ensure that the driver has enough visibility of their surroundings. While on the road, you can get some protection from the sun. Some state laws also prohibit the installation of windows that are not tinted which results in some specified degree of light reflection. Front window tint strip laws vary by state so please refer to the chart above to see if it is allowed in your state.
35% vs 20% vs 5%. What are the differences?
Tinted Window Film
The restrictions on the amount of visible light being transmitted into a car are defined and measured in percentages. These different percentages are the minimum amount of light that should be getting through the glass. The higher percentage means the tint is lighter. A lower tint percentage means the tint is darker. The legal percentage varies from state to state and also for the different windows of the car.
Medical Exemptions and Waivers for Window Tint
These laws are ‘bent’ for people with medical conditions that make them more sensitive to light than the average person. A perfect example would be people with albinism who need always to be protected from the sun. Other diseases such as Psoriasis might affect people. While sunlight can benefit some people with psoriasis, there are people who will have a negative reaction towards UV radiation. People with Rosacea, as well, might be able to get a medical exemption. Rosacea might cause increased sensitivity (especially to the sun) and inflammation of your face. If you have any of these conditions, obtain a medical letter from your doctor. Keep it in the car for law enforcement and police.
Tinted Windows Cvc
Like all laws, the regulations regarding window tint on your vehicle are there for your safety and the safety of those around you. Always be sure to check your state’s laws before applying window tint.
Tinted Windows For Home
If you are shopping forwindow film tint for your car, make sure you work with a company that understands these window tinting rules or tint percentages and how they affect your car’s window tint.Rayno Window Film is here to help you, and our crew is fully compliant with all state regulations. By staying within the car window tint laws, you will be able to enjoy thebenefits of window tinting without running the risk of an unwanted or unexpected citation. Contact us today to get started.