Window tint laws by state vary widely across the United States, and every one of them is written in VLT — Visible Light Transmission — the percentage of light a window lets through after film is installed. A lower VLT number means a darker window. As of 2026, legal front-side-window tint ranges from 70% VLT in states such as California, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island down to 20% VLT in New Mexico, while New Jersey allows no front side film at all and both New Jersey and Pennsylvania prohibit windshield film entirely. Rear windows are far more permissive: more than a dozen states allow any darkness behind the driver.
This guide lists the current legal tint percentages for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., separated by vehicle type, and is based on the International Window Film Association’s (IWFA) tint law database.
Last updated: August 2026. Primary source: International Window Film Association. This page is provided for general information and is not legal advice — confirm current requirements with your state DMV or law enforcement agency before purchasing film.
Key Takeaways
- Tint darkness is measured in VLT%. A 35% film lets 35% of visible light through. Lower = darker.
- Front side windows are the most regulated. Most states fall between 25% and 70% VLT.
- Rear windows are usually looser. Roughly half of all states allow any darkness behind the driver on cars, and even more on SUVs, vans and pickups.
- SUVs, vans and pickups (multipurpose vehicles) often get different limits than sedans and coupes in the same state — Florida, Delaware, Kentucky and Washington, D.C. are good examples.
- Windshields are almost never fully tintable. Most states allow film only above the AS-1 line or on the top 4–6 inches.
- Reflectivity is a separate limit. Even a legal VLT can be illegal if the film is too mirrored — commonly capped at 20%, 25% or 35% VLR.
- 41 states and D.C. offer medical exemptions; 10 states do not.
What Is VLT? Window Tint Terminology Explained
VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is the percentage of visible light that passes through the glass and film together. A window with 5% VLT transmits only 5% of light and looks nearly black; a window at 70% VLT looks almost clear.
VLR (Visible Light Reflectance) is the percentage of visible light bounced off the glass. This is what makes a film look mirrored. Most states cap VLR separately from VLT — usually at 20%, 25% or 35%.
The AS-1 line is a short marking etched near the top of most windshields, typically about five inches down from the roofline. Where a state references “above the AS-1 line,” film may be applied only in that top strip.
Front side windows are the driver and front passenger windows. Back side windows are the rear passenger windows. The rear window is the back glass.
Measurement variance is the tolerance a state allows when an officer meters your glass. Illinois allows 5 percentage points, Virginia allows 7, Hawaii allows 6, and many states allow 3 — but roughly half specify none at all.
Cars vs. multipurpose vehicles (MPVs). Most tint statutes split vehicles into two classes: passenger cars (sedan, coupe, hatchback, station wagon) and multipurpose vehicles (SUV, van, minibus, RV, camper, pickup truck). The tables below are separated the same way.
Window Tint Laws by State (2026 Chart) — Cars
The table below applies to passenger cars: sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and station wagons. All figures are minimum legal VLT — film may not be darker than the number shown. “Any darkness” means the state sets no VLT limit for that window.
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window | Windshield | Reflectivity & Color Rules | Medical Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | Top 6 inches | VLR ≤20% | Yes |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% | Top 6 inches | No metallic or mirrored film; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| Arizona | 33% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤35%; no red or amber | Yes |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% | 10% | Top 5 inches | Not specified | Yes |
| California | 70% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Top 4 inches | Cannot increase original reflectivity; no red, amber or blue | No |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% | Top 4 inches | No metallic or mirrored film; no red or amber | No |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤21% front, ≤27% rear; no red or amber | Yes |
| Delaware | 70% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | Not specified | Yes |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤25% front, ≤35% rear; no red, amber, yellow, blue or gold | Yes |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | Top 6 inches | VLR ≤20%; no red or amber | Yes |
| Hawaii | 35% | 35% | 35% | Top 4 inches | Not specified | No |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | Above AS-1 line or top 6 inches | VLR ≤35% | Yes |
| Illinois | 50% / 35% / none* | 30% / 35% / any* | 30% / 35% / any* | Top 6 inches | Must be non-reflective | Yes |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤25% | Yes |
| Iowa | 70% | Any darkness | Any darkness | 70% VLT | No excessive reflectivity | No |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | Above AS-1 line | Must be non-reflective; no red, amber or yellow | No |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤25% | No |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤20% | Yes |
| Maine | 35% | 35% | 35% | Above AS-1 line | Must be non-reflective | Yes |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | Top 5 inches | Not specified; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤35% | Yes |
| Michigan | Any darkness (top 4 in. only) | Any darkness | Any darkness | Top 4 inches | VLR ≤35% | Yes |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | No film allowed | VLR ≤20% | Yes |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤20% | Yes |
| Missouri | 35% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤35% | Yes |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤35% | Yes |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | Above AS-1 line or top 5 inches | VLR ≤35%; no red, amber or yellow | No |
| Nevada | 35% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | Not specified | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 70% | 35% | 35% | Top 6 inches | Not specified | Yes |
| New Jersey | No film allowed | Any darkness | Any darkness | No film allowed | No metallic or mirrored film | Yes |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | Above AS-1 line | Not specified; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| New York | 70% | 70% | Any darkness | Top 6 inches | Not specified | Yes |
| North Carolina | 32% | 32% | 32% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤20%; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| North Dakota | 35% | Any darkness | Any darkness | 70% VLT | Not specified | No |
| Ohio | 50% | Any darkness | Any darkness | 70% VLT (any above AS-1) | Cannot increase original reflectivity; no red or yellow | Yes |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | Above AS-1 line or top 5 inches | VLR ≤25% | Yes |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 25% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤13%; no red, gold, amber, yellow or black | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | No film allowed | Not specified | Yes |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | Above AS-1 line | Not specified | Yes |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% | Above AS-1 line | Must be non-reflective; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | Above AS-1 line | Not specified | No |
| Tennessee | 20%† | 20%† | 20%† | Above AS-1 line | Not specified | Yes |
| Texas | 25% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line only (25% VLT) | VLR ≤25%; no red, blue or amber | Yes |
| Utah | 35%† | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | No metallic or mirrored film | No |
| Vermont | 43%† | Any darkness | Any darkness | Above AS-1 line | No metallic or mirrored film | Yes |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤20%; no red, amber or yellow | Yes |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | Above AS-1 line | VLR ≤35%; no red, yellow, gold or black | Yes |
| Washington, D.C. | 70% | 70% | 50% | Top 5 inches | Not specified | Yes |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | Top 5 inches | VLR ≤20%; no red, yellow or amber | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | Above AS-1 line | Must be non-reflective | Yes |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | Top 5 inches | VLR ≤20% | Yes |
* Illinois offers three coordinated compliance options: 50% front with 30% rear, 35% front with 35% rear, or no front film with any rear darkness.
† The IWFA database lists Tennessee front side windows at 20%, Utah at 35% and Vermont at 43%. These entries differ from figures commonly published elsewhere for those states — verify with the state DMV before installing.
SUV, Truck and Van Tint Laws by State (2026 Chart)
Most states write a separate, more permissive standard for multipurpose vehicles — SUVs, vans, minibuses, RVs, campers and pickup trucks. If you drive one of these, use this table instead.
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side & Rear Windows | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% on all windows; ±3 point variance |
| Alaska | 70% | Any darkness | No metallic or mirrored film |
| Arizona | 33% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35%; ±3 point variance |
| Arkansas | 25% | 10% | ±3 point variance |
| California | 70% | Any darkness | Film cannot increase original reflectivity |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | Same as cars; no metallic or mirrored film |
| Connecticut | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤21% front, ≤27% rear |
| Delaware | 70% | 10% | Rear limit is stricter than for cars |
| Florida | 28% | 6% | Rear limit is stricter than for cars; VLR ≤35% rear |
| Georgia | 32% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20%; ±3 point variance |
| Hawaii | 32% | Any darkness | ±6 point variance |
| Idaho | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35% |
| Illinois | 50% / 35% / none* | 30% / 35% / any* | Same three coordinated options as cars; ±5 point variance |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | VLR ≤25%; no variance |
| Iowa | 70% | Any darkness | No excessive reflectivity |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | Must be non-reflective |
| Kentucky | 35% | 8% | VLR ≤25% |
| Louisiana | 40% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% |
| Maine | 35% | Any darkness | Must be non-reflective |
| Maryland | 35% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | VLR ≤35% |
| Michigan | Any darkness (top 4 in. only) | Any darkness | VLR ≤35% |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | VLR ≤20% |
| Mississippi | 28% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% |
| Missouri | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35%; ±3 point variance |
| Montana | 24% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35% |
| Nebraska | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35% |
| Nevada | 35% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| New Hampshire | 70% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| New Jersey | No film allowed | Any darkness | No metallic or mirrored film |
| New Mexico | 20% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| New York | 70% | Any darkness | Rear windows less restricted than on cars |
| North Carolina | 32% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% |
| North Dakota | 35% | Any darkness | Same as cars |
| Ohio | 50% | Any darkness | Same as cars; ±3 point variance |
| Oklahoma | 25% | Any darkness | VLR ≤25% |
| Oregon | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤13% |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | Any darkness | No film allowed on windshield |
| Rhode Island | 70% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% pickups / any SUVs | Must be non-reflective |
| South Dakota | 35% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| Tennessee | 35% | Any darkness | No reflectivity limit specified |
| Texas | 25% | Any darkness | VLR ≤25%; same as cars |
| Utah | 35%† | Any darkness | No metallic or mirrored film |
| Vermont | 43%† | Any darkness | No metallic or mirrored film |
| Virginia | 50% | Any darkness | VLR ≤25% front, ≤20% rear; ±7 point variance |
| Washington | 24% | Any darkness | VLR ≤35%; ±3 point variance |
| Washington, D.C. | 70% | 35% | Rear limit differs from cars |
| West Virginia | 35% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | Must be non-reflective |
| Wyoming | 28% | Any darkness | VLR ≤20% |
Tint Laws by State Map
The infographic below shows legal front-side-window tint percentages across the United States at a glance.
Which States Have the Strictest Window Tint Laws?
New Jersey has the strictest window tint law in the country: no film of any kind is permitted on the windshield or the front side windows. Pennsylvania is close behind, requiring 70% VLT on every window and allowing no windshield film at all. Other highly restrictive states for front side windows are:
- New Jersey — no front side film permitted
- Alaska, California, Delaware, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C. — 70% VLT
- Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio — 50% VLT
- Vermont — 43% VLT
Minnesota is unusual in another way: it permits no windshield film whatsoever and applies a single 50% standard to every other window, front and rear.
Which States Allow the Darkest Window Tint?
New Mexico allows the darkest front side windows in the country at 20% VLT, followed by Washington and Montana at 24%, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma at 25%, and Colorado and South Carolina at 27%. Michigan is a special case — it permits any darkness on the front side windows, but only on the top four inches of the glass.
For the windows behind the driver, the list is much longer. On passenger cars, these states set no VLT limit at all on the back side and rear windows:
Arizona, California, Delaware, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Vermont — plus Connecticut and New York on the rear window only.
Is 5% Limo Tint Legal Anywhere?
5% “limo” tint is never legal on front side windows in any U.S. state, but it is legal on back side and rear windows in the 13 states that set no VLT limit behind the driver — Arizona, California, Delaware, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Vermont. On SUVs, vans and pickups the list is far longer, since most states drop the rear-window limit entirely for multipurpose vehicles.
Even where 5% is legal, remember that reflectivity and color rules still apply, and rear visibility requirements mean you should keep both side mirrors clear and functional.
Why Is Window Tint Illegal in Some States?
Window tint restrictions exist for two main reasons: driver visibility and officer safety. Dark front side windows reduce a driver’s ability to see pedestrians, cyclists and cross traffic at night, and they prevent a law enforcement officer from seeing into a vehicle during a traffic stop. That is why nearly every state regulates the front side windows tightly while leaving the rear windows comparatively open — passengers in the back are not driving, and rear visibility is backed up by side mirrors.
Can You Get Pulled Over for Having Tinted Windows?
Yes. In most states, illegal window tint is a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop you for the tint alone without any other violation. Penalties usually start as a fix-it ticket requiring removal of the film and proof of correction, but repeat violations can carry fines of several hundred dollars in states such as California, Texas and New York.
Officers measure tint with a handheld VLT meter on the glass. Because factory glass already blocks some light, the reading is of the glass and film together — which is why a “35% film” can meter below 35%. Check whether your state allows a measurement variance (Illinois allows 5 points, Virginia 7, Hawaii 6, and many states 3) before choosing a film right at the legal limit.
What Is the AS-1 Line on a Windshield?
The AS-1 line is a small marking etched into the side of most windshields, roughly five inches below the roofline, that marks the lowest point where tint may legally be applied. Around 30 states define windshield tinting by this line rather than by inches. Where a state instead specifies a measurement — 4 inches in California, Colorado, Hawaii and Michigan; 5 inches in Arkansas, Maryland, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wyoming; 6 inches in Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, New Hampshire and New York — the strip is measured down from the top of the glass.
Clear UV-blocking film is treated differently in some states. Texas, for example, explicitly permits a clear film over the full windshield without a medical exemption as long as it does not violate the federal 70% VLT requirement.
What’s the Difference Between 35%, 20% and 5% Tint?
The number is the percentage of visible light the window lets through, so 35% tint is noticeably lighter than 20%, and 5% is nearly opaque from the outside.
- 50% — barely visible darkening. Blocks heat and glare with almost no change in appearance. Legal on front windows in most states.
- 35% — a light, natural-looking smoke. Occupants are still visible. This is the most common legal front-window limit in the U.S.
- 20% — often called “factory tint.” Occupants are hard to make out in daylight. Legal on front windows in only a handful of states.
- 5% — “limo tint.” Effectively opaque from outside. Illegal on front side windows everywhere, and difficult to see through at night.
Darkness is not the same as performance. A modern nano-ceramic window film at a legal 70% VLT can reject more infrared heat than a cheap 5% dyed film, because heat rejection comes from the film’s construction, not its color. If your state has a strict VLT limit, choosing a high-performance film is the way to get comfort without breaking the law.
Do Window Tint Medical Exemptions Exist?
Yes — 41 states and Washington, D.C. allow a medical exemption that permits darker tint than the standard limit. The ten states that do not currently grant medical variances are California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah.
Qualifying conditions commonly include lupus, albinism, photosensitivity, xeroderma pigmentosum, melanoma and certain drug-induced light sensitivities. Requirements vary widely:
- Maryland, Massachusetts and Maine require a state-issued form or certificate to be kept in the vehicle.
- Massachusetts issues a decal that must be displayed on the driver’s window.
- North Carolina limits an individual to two permits.
- New Jersey grants exemptions only above the AS-1 line and on the front side windows, with reflectance capped at 8%.
- Wyoming requires windshield film to remain at 70% VLT or lighter even with an exemption.
- Wisconsin caps exemption film at 35% VLT on any window.
The IWFA publishes a standardized physician form that many states accept where no specific state form exists.
Are Window Tint Laws Changing in 2026?
State tint statutes are amended regularly, and the figures above reflect the IWFA database as of August 2026. Because enforcement standards, measurement variances and exemption procedures can change mid-year, treat this page as a starting point and confirm the current rule with your state DMV or an authorized installer before committing to a film.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal tint limit in most states?
35% VLT is the most common legal limit for front side windows in the United States, followed by 70% and 50%. Rear windows are usually less restricted, and many states set no limit at all behind the driver.
Is 20% tint legal?
20% tint is legal on front side windows only in New Mexico and Tennessee, and it is legal on back side or rear windows in a majority of states. On SUVs, vans and pickups, 20% rear tint is legal almost everywhere.
Which state has the darkest legal tint?
New Mexico allows the darkest front side windows at 20% VLT, followed by Washington and Montana at 24%. Michigan technically allows any darkness on the front side windows, but only across the top four inches of the glass.
Do tint laws differ for SUVs and trucks?
Yes. Most states classify SUVs, vans, minibuses, RVs, campers and pickups as multipurpose vehicles and allow darker film behind the driver than on a passenger car. Florida, Delaware, Kentucky and Washington, D.C. are notable exceptions where the multipurpose standard is actually stricter on the rear glass.
Does window tint reflectivity matter?
Yes. Reflectivity is regulated separately from darkness. Oregon has the tightest limit in the country at 13% VLR, while Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming cap reflectance at 20%. Several states simply ban any metallic or mirrored appearance.
Can I get a ticket for tint that was on the car when I bought it?
Yes. Responsibility for compliance sits with the vehicle’s current owner or operator, regardless of who installed the film. If you buy a used car with aftermarket tint, have it metered before you drive it.
Does factory privacy glass count toward the tint limit?
Yes. Officers meter the total light transmission of the glass and any applied film together, so factory privacy glass on the rear of an SUV eats into your available VLT if you add film on top of it.
State-by-State Window Tint Guides
For a deeper look at the rules, penalties and exemption process in the most-searched states, see our dedicated guides:
- California window tint laws
- Florida window tint laws
- Georgia window tint laws
- Illinois window tint laws
- Maryland window tint laws
- Michigan window tint laws
- North Carolina window tint laws
- New York window tint laws
- Ohio window tint laws
- Pennsylvania window tint laws
- Texas window tint laws
- Virginia window tint laws
Get Legal Window Tint Installed Near You
Rayno’s automotive window films are available in a full range of VLT levels, so you can stay within your state’s limit and still get the heat rejection, glare control and 99% UV protection you’re after. An authorized installer will meter your glass and recommend a compliant film for your vehicle and state.
Source: International Window Film Association — Interactive Tint Laws. Content provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
