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 and IR (Infrared) rays of the sun.
How Dark Can You Tint Your Windows?
Car owners enjoy the benefits of window tint, such as UV protection, glare reduction, and privacy. 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 is allowed. Scroll to the tint laws chart to see how dark you can have your windows tinted.
Window film can be applied to various glass surfaces, but many love the aesthetic value it adds to cars while also reducing the glare from the sun. Tinted windows block UV rays, so the heat is significantly reduced inside while also protecting the leather, steel, rubber, plastics, and aluminum. Passengers will also be protected from cancer-causing UV rays.
Window Tint Terminology
As you read the breakdown of the different car window tinting laws and regulations by state, you will come across different terms. Understanding this lingo and terminology 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.
VLT%: This stands for Visible Light Transmission. VLT% indicates the amount of visible light that gets in through either just the film or both the film and window combined. A lower VLT% means the darker the tint will be. A higher % means the tint will be lighter.
Front-side window tint %: The level of tinting for the front-side windows must not exceed the VLT% listed in the chart. This % is higher compared to what is allowed on the rear windows so that police can still see inside the car.
Back-side window tint %: The level of tinting for the back-side windows must not exceed the VLT% listed in the chart. The legal limit will vary depending on what type of vehicle it is – either a car or an MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle).
Rear window tint %: This is the VLT % that’s allowed on your rear window.
Windshield: The information here refers to the AS-1 line since entire windshields cannot be tinted in any state legally. The AS-1 line is 4 – 6 inches from the top of the windshield that can be tinted.
Reflectivity: Window tint reflectivity is the amount of light that is reflected away from the window by a tinted film. The lower the reflectivity, the less light is being blocked or reflected off of the window. This can help reduce glare and heat buildup in the vehicle.
Tint Laws By State Chart
Here are the up-to-date window tint laws, including the darkest legal tint percentages in your state. You can quickly jump to your state by clicking any of these most searched for states here: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and 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%
|
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 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 |
New York | 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 |
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 |
For more detailed information, the International Window Film Association offers a summary chart of state aftermarket tint law information. New York updated its state tint law in 2018. To learn more about these specific changes, visit our 2018 New York tint laws page.
Tint Laws By State Map
Why Is Window Tint Illegal In Some States?
While window tint offers many benefits, 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. A huge 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 illegal 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. 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.
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 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.
Learn more details on our California window tint laws page.
Front Window Tint Law
The ‘eyebrow’ (the little strip on the car’s windshield formally called the AS-1 line) 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.
What Are The Differences Between 35%, 20%, and 5% Tint?
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.
In What State Is 5% Tint Legal?
5% VLT is legal for back-side passenger cars only in the following states. These states allow for any VLT %.
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Utah
- Vermont
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.
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.
Window Tint Near You
If you are shopping for window 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 with your tint needs. Ranyo is one of the only window film manufacturers in the world. Our Rayno dealers can help you stay fully compliant with all state regulations. By staying within the car window tint laws, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of window tinting without running the risk of an unwanted or unexpected citation from the cops.
Find the best window tinting services near you and read reviews on our dealer locator.