Washington's window tint rules are based on how much light your windows let through
Washington state allows window tinting on your vehicle, but the law sets specific limits on how dark the tint can be. The state measures tint darkness using Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which is the percentage of light that passes through the tinted window. The darker the tint, the lower the VLT percentage. Washington's rules differ depending on which windows you tint and what kind of vehicle you drive.
For passenger cars, the front side windows must allow at least 32% of light through. The rear side windows and rear window can be any darkness. For SUVs and trucks, the front side windows must allow at least 32% of light through, and the rear windows can be any darkness. The windshield has its own rule: you cannot tint the top 6 inches of the windshield, and any tint on the upper portion must be non-reflective.
Washington does not require you to register your tint or get it inspected before installation. However, law enforcement can measure your tint during a traffic stop, and if it falls below the legal limit, you can receive a ticket. The penalty is typically a traffic infraction, not a criminal charge.
Key Takeaways
- Front side windows on passenger cars and trucks must allow at least 32% of light through; rear windows have no darkness limit.
- The windshield cannot be tinted below the top 6 inches, and any upper tint must be non-reflective.
- Washington does not require pre-installation approval or registration of window tint.
- A traffic stop is the most common way tint violations are discovered, and the penalty is a traffic infraction.
- Medical exemptions for light-sensitive conditions are available but require a signed physician's statement and a special permit.
Front window tint limits for different vehicle types
The front side windows are where Washington's tint law is most restrictive. On a passenger car, both front side windows must transmit at least 32% of visible light. This means the darkest legal tint you can use is 32% VLT. On an SUV or pickup truck, the same 32% rule applies to the front side windows.
The reason for this stricter front window rule is visibility. Law enforcement and safety regulators want drivers to see clearly out of the front of the vehicle and for other drivers to see into the front cabin. A 32% VLT tint is noticeably dark—it blocks about two-thirds of the light—but it still allows reasonable visibility in most daylight conditions.
If you are shopping for tint film, ask the installer what VLT percentage the film has. Reputable tint shops will know this number and can show you samples or let you look through tinted glass to see how dark it appears. Some tint films are labeled by brand name rather than VLT, so asking directly is the clearest way to confirm the product meets Washington's 32% minimum.
Rear and side window tint with no legal limit
Washington places no darkness restriction on the rear side windows or the rear window of your vehicle. This means you can tint these windows as dark as you want—including limo tint, which blocks nearly all light. The only requirement is that the tint itself must not be reflective in a way that creates a mirror-like appearance.
This difference between front and rear windows reflects the law's focus on driver visibility and safety. The rear windows do not affect your ability to see the road ahead, so the state allows darker tint there. Many people use this rule to tint their rear windows very dark for privacy while keeping their front windows at the legal 32% limit.
If you are tinting only your rear windows, you do not need to worry about VLT measurements—just make sure the tint film itself is not reflective. Some metallic or mirrored tint films are illegal even on rear windows because they create a reflective surface rather than straightforward blocking light.
Windshield tint rules and the 6-inch rule
Your windshield has different rules than your side and rear windows. You cannot tint the windshield below the top 6 inches from the top of the glass. This means the lower 6 inches and all of the lower portion of the windshield must remain clear.
If you do tint the upper 6 inches of the windshield, the tint must be non-reflective. This means it cannot have a metallic or mirror-like finish. A non-reflective tint straightforward darkens the glass without bouncing light back at other drivers or creating glare. Many people use a thin, non-reflective tint on the top of the windshield to reduce sun glare without violating the law.
The 6-inch rule exists because it preserves the driver's sightline over the hood and through the upper windshield. Even a small amount of tint in this area can reduce glare from the sun, which is why the law allows it—but only in that specific zone and only if it does not reflect light.
Medical exemptions for light-sensitive conditions
Washington allows medical exemptions from the tint darkness rules if you have a documented light-sensitive condition. Conditions that may may have access to include lupus, porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and severe photophobia. If your doctor determines that you need darker tint for medical reasons, you can obtain an exemption.
To get a medical exemption, you need a signed statement from a licensed physician explaining your condition and why you need darker window tint. You then submit this statement to the Washington Department of Licensing along with your vehicle registration information. The department will issue you a special permit that you must carry in your vehicle.
If you have a medical exemption permit, you can tint your windows darker than the standard 32% limit on your front side windows. However, you still cannot tint the windshield below the top 6 inches, and any windshield tint must remain non-reflective. Law enforcement can ask to see your exemption permit during a traffic stop, so keep it accessible in your vehicle.
How tint darkness is measured and enforced
Law enforcement uses a device called a tint meter to measure how much light passes through your windows. The officer places the meter against the window glass, and it displays the VLT percentage. If the reading is below 32% on a front side window, the officer can issue a citation. The measurement is straightforward and difficult to dispute if the meter is calibrated correctly.
Most tint violations are discovered during a traffic stop for another reason—a broken taillight, speeding, or an equipment inspection. The officer may notice the tint appears very dark and then measure it. Some jurisdictions conduct vehicle safety inspections that include tint checks, though this is less common in Washington than in some other states.
If you receive a citation for illegal tint, you have the option to contest it in traffic court. You can argue that the tint meets the legal standard, that the meter was miscalibrated, or that you have a medical exemption. Many people choose to straightforward remove or lighten the tint rather than fight the ticket, since removal is usually cheaper than court costs.
Removing or changing tint if it does not meet the law
If your tint is darker than Washington allows, you have a few options. The simplest is to have a professional tint shop remove the tint and explore a lighter film that meets the 32% VLT requirement on your front windows. Removal typically takes one to two hours and costs between $100 and $300 depending on how many windows you are treating.
Some people choose to keep their rear windows dark and only lighten the front windows to meet the law. This is a legal approach that gives you the privacy benefit of dark rear tint while staying within the front window limits. A tint shop can remove the front tint and reapply a legal shade, leaving the rear windows unchanged.
If you received a ticket for illegal tint, the court may give you a important date to bring your vehicle into compliance. Once you have the tint corrected, you can request that the citation be dismissed or reduced. Some courts will waive the fine if you show proof that you have corrected the violation within a reasonable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tint my windshield all the way across the top?
No. You can only tint the top 6 inches of the windshield, measured from the top edge of the glass. The tint must also be non-reflective. Any tint below that 6-inch line is illegal, even if it is very light.
What happens if I get pulled over with illegal tint?
The officer can issue you a traffic infraction citation. The penalty is typically a fine, not jail time. You can contest the citation in traffic court or choose to have the tint corrected and request that the citation be dismissed.
Do I need to tell my insurance company about window tint?
Most insurance companies do not require notification of legal window tint. If your tint is illegal and you are in an accident, the insurance company may deny a claim if they determine the tint contributed to the accident or if the tint itself was damaged. It is safest to keep your tint within Washington's legal limits.
Can I use reflective or metallic tint on any windows?
No. Washington prohibits reflective tint on all windows, including the rear windows where darkness has no limit. You can use any darkness level on rear windows, but the tint film itself cannot have a reflective or mirror-like finish.
How do I know what VLT percentage a tint film has before I buy it?
Ask the tint shop directly. Reputable installers will provide the VLT percentage for any film they offer. You can also look at the product label or specification sheet. Some shops will let you look through a sample of the tint to see how dark it appears before you commit to installation.