May 18, 2021

Vehicle Window Tint Laws By State [Updated 2023]

Vehicle window tint laws

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The degree to which a driver can legally tint their car’s windows vary from state to state. To make it just a little easier for drivers, we’ve got all the laws here in one place.

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.

We’ve consolidated all the information you need to know to make sure your cool tinted windows are legal.

Terminology

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.

Visible light Transmittance Percentage

Window Tint Laws by State

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

State

Front Sides

Rear Sides

Rear Window

Windshield

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

      


The Fine Print

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.

Most people in Phoenix, AZ make the decision to tint their vehicle windows for many reasons. Mainly because of the excruciating temperatures in the summer months. But before making a final decision on your vehicle’s Window Tint it is wise to understand the different tint laws in the state of Arizona. Each state throughout the United States has their own vehicle codes and Window Tinting By Dana that vehicle owners must follow.

That doesn’t mean that you still can’t get all the great benefits of window tint but it’s important to know the laws.

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