California's window tint rules are stricter than many states, and 20% tint is illegal on most windows
A 20% tint — meaning the film allows 20% of light through — is too dark for the front side windows and windshield in California. The state allows a maximum of 70% tint (meaning 70% light passes through) on front side windows and the windshield. Rear side windows and the rear window can be any darkness, including 20% tint or darker.
If you drive with 20% tint on your front windows, you risk a ticket, a fine, and an order to remove the tint. Law enforcement can pull you over specifically for illegal window tint. The fine varies by county but typically ranges from $25 to $100 for a first offense, though you may also face a "fix-it" ticket that requires you to remove the tint and show proof to the court.
The rules explore to all vehicles registered in California, whether you installed the tint yourself or bought the car with tint already on it. If you are moving to California from another state where darker tint is legal, you will need to have the front windows re-tinted or the tint removed before registering your vehicle here.
Key Takeaways
- Front side windows and the windshield in California must allow at least 70% of light through; 20% tint on these windows is illegal.
- Rear side windows and the rear window can be tinted as dark as you want, including 20% or darker.
- A ticket for illegal window tint typically costs $25 to $100, plus you may receive a fix-it ticket requiring removal and court proof.
- The tint limit applies whether you installed it yourself or the car came with it; you cannot grandfather in tint that was legal when installed.
What the California tint law actually says
California Vehicle Code Section 26708 sets the tint limits. The law measures tint darkness as Visible Light Transmission (VLT) — the percentage of light that passes through the film. A 20% tint means 20% of light gets through; an 80% tint means 80% gets through.
The rules break down by window location. The windshield can have a non-reflective tint strip along the top, but the rest must allow at least 70% light through. Both front side windows must allow at least 70% light through. Rear side windows and the rear window have no darkness limit — you can use 5% tint, 20% tint, or any darkness you choose on these windows.
The law does not care why you tinted your windows. Medical exemptions do not exist in California's statute, though you can petition the Department of Motor Vehicles for a medical exemption in writing. These are rarely granted and require documentation from a physician that the tint is medically necessary.
How police determine if your tint is illegal
Officers use a handheld device called a tint meter to measure how much light passes through your windows. The meter is placed against the window from outside the car, and it gives a reading in percentage. If the reading shows less than 70% light transmission on a front window, the tint is illegal.
You do not have to consent to a tint check, but if an officer has already stopped you for another reason — a broken taillight, speeding, or anything else — they can measure your tint as part of that stop. If the tint is illegal, they can write a ticket regardless of why they pulled you over initially.
Some drivers argue their tint meter reading was inaccurate, but courts generally accept tint meter readings as reliable. If you receive a ticket, you can contest it in traffic court, but you will need evidence that your tint actually meets the legal standard — usually a receipt from a professional tint shop showing the VLT percentage they installed.
The difference between front and rear window rules
The reason California allows dark tint on rear windows but not front windows is visibility and safety. Front windows affect your ability to see the road and pedestrians' ability to see you. Rear windows do not affect forward visibility, so the state does not restrict them.
This means you can legally have 20% tint on your rear side windows and rear window while keeping your front windows at 70% or lighter. Many drivers choose to tint their rear windows dark for privacy while staying within the law on front windows. If you are having tint installed, a professional shop will know these rules and can help you stay legal.
What happens if you get a ticket for illegal tint
A ticket for illegal window tint is typically a non-moving violation, meaning it does not add points to your driving record. However, you still have to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court.
Many officers issue a fix-it ticket instead of a regular fine. A fix-it ticket requires you to remove or correct the illegal tint and then show proof to the court — usually a receipt from a tint removal or a photo of the corrected window. Once you show proof, the ticket is dismissed and you pay no fine. You typically have 10 days to fix the problem and show proof, though the exact important date is printed on your ticket.
If you ignore the ticket or do not fix the tint, the fine increases and you may face additional penalties. Repeated violations can result in higher fines and, in rare cases, a misdemeanor charge, though this is uncommon for tint violations alone.
Removing or replacing illegal tint
If you have 20% tint on your front windows and need to make it legal, you have two options: remove the tint entirely or have it replaced with a lighter shade that meets the 70% standard.
Removing tint yourself is possible but time-consuming. You will need a heat gun or hair dryer, a plastic scraper, and rubbing alcohol. Heat the tint to soften the adhesive, peel it away slowly, and scrape off any remaining residue. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour per window and can leave adhesive residue that is difficult to clean.
A professional tint shop can remove the old tint and install new tint at the legal 70% darkness in one visit. The cost for removal and reinstallation typically ranges from $100 to $300 depending on your vehicle and location. If you received a fix-it ticket, ask the shop for a receipt showing the VLT percentage of the new tint — you will need this to show the court.
Medical exemptions and special requests
California does not automatically grant medical exemptions for window tint, unlike some other states. However, you can request an exemption from the Department of Motor Vehicles by submitting a written petition along with a physician's statement explaining why the tint is medically necessary.
The DMV reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not may provide. Even if approved, the exemption typically allows you to exceed the tint limit only slightly — not to go from 70% to 20% on front windows. If you are considering this route, contact your local DMV office first to understand what documentation they require and what level of tint they might approve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have 20% tint on my rear windows?
Yes. California has no darkness limit for rear side windows or the rear window. You can tint them 20%, 5%, or any darkness you choose without breaking the law. The 70% minimum applies only to the windshield and front side windows.
What if I bought my car with illegal tint already on it?
You are responsible for the tint on your vehicle once you own it. You cannot keep illegal tint just because it was installed before you bought the car. If you are stopped, you will receive a ticket. You will need to remove or replace the tint to stay legal.
Do I need a permit to have legal tint installed?
No permit is required to have window tint installed in California, as long as it meets the legal standards. A professional tint shop can install 70% tint on your front windows without any paperwork. If you receive a fix-it ticket, the shop receipt serves as your proof of correction.
Will a fix-it ticket show up on my driving record?
A fix-it ticket does not add points to your driving record. Once you correct the tint and show proof to the court, the ticket is dismissed. However, if you do not fix it and the ticket becomes a regular violation, it may appear on your record depending on how the court handles it.
What is the fine for illegal tint in California?
The fine typically ranges from $25 to $100 for a first offense, though it varies by county and the specific circumstances. If you receive a fix-it ticket, you pay no fine if you correct the tint and show proof within the important date. If you ignore the ticket, the fine increases.