Window tinting, a sought-after car modification, is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. In many states, it’s a vital feature, offering protection from damaging UV and IR rays. But how dark can you tint your windows?
The answer varies from state to state, and understanding these laws is essential for every vehicle owner.
Understanding Window Tint Terminology
As you delve into the diverse car window tinting laws and regulations by state, you’ll encounter various terms. Comprehending this jargon can assist you in making the right choices for your vehicle.
For instance, window tint percentages refer to the amount of light permitted in, 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.
Reflectivity, on the other hand, is the amount of light that is reflected away from the window by a tinted film. The lower the reflectivity, the less light is blocked or reflected off the window. This can help reduce glare and heat buildup in the vehicle.
Window Tint Laws By State
Each state in the U.S. has its own set of laws regarding window tinting.
For instance, in Alabama, the legal limit for window tint is 32% for all windows, while in Alaska, the front side windows must allow 70% of light, and the back side windows and rear windows must allow 40% of light.
In California, the front side windows must allow 70% light, but there are no restrictions for the back side and rear windows.
However, the tint must be no more reflective than a standard window and must be green, gray, or neutral smoke in color. For a comprehensive breakdown of window tint laws by state, please refer to our Tint Laws By State Chart.
| 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% | 25% | 10% | 5 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | none |
| California | 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 requirement, 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 |
| New York | 70% | 70% | any | 6 inches | no metallic or mirrored tinting | Dual side mirrors are 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 are 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 | Dual side mirrors required 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 |
| Texas | 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 |
Why Is Window Tint Illegal In Some States?
While window tint offers many benefits, most states regulate 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.
A significant drawback is the poor visibility for drivers if the tint is too dark. Limited vision leads to an increased number of accidents on the road.
The other reason why tinting may be regulated is for public safety when it comes to the police and other federal agencies. Law enforcement and police can’t see inside your car if your tint is too dark.
Extremely dark tint can be obstructive to investigations, and dangerous during traffic stops and other incidents.
Can You 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 along 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.
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 to 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.
Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. We recommend consulting with a licensed attorney or other appropriate legal professional for legal advice.