Every state sets its own window tint limits, and they vary widely

The legal darkness of window tint is measured in visible light transmission (VLT) — the percentage of light that passes through the glass. A 50% tint lets half the light through; a 5% tint lets almost none through. Every state has different rules for how dark you can go on the windshield, front side windows, and rear windows, and some states have no restrictions at all on rear windows.

Police stop drivers for illegal tint because it blocks their view during traffic stops and because dark windows can hide occupants from view. A ticket for illegal tint typically costs between $100 and $300, though the cost varies by state and whether you have to remove the tint or can pay a fine. Some states allow you to contest the ticket by having the tint tested or removed and then showing proof of compliance.

The rules also differ based on whether you have a medical exemption. A few states allow darker tint if a doctor certifies that sunlight exposure causes a medical condition, but the process and allowed darkness level vary significantly.

Key Takeaways

  • Window tint darkness is measured as VLT percentage, and every state sets different limits for windshields, front windows, and rear windows.
  • Most states allow 50% to 70% tint on front side windows but restrict windshield tint to the top few inches only.
  • Rear window tint limits range from no restriction at all to 50% VLT, depending on the state.
  • Medical exemptions for darker tint exist in some states but require a doctor's letter and formal registration with the state.
  • A tint violation ticket typically costs $100 to $300 and may require removal or a compliance inspection.

Windshield tint rules are the strictest in every state

Nearly every state bans tint on the windshield except for a small strip at the top. That strip is usually 4 to 6 inches deep, measured from the top of the windshield down. The purpose is to keep the driver's view of the road and oncoming traffic clear.

A few states — including California, Florida, and New York — allow a tint strip on the windshield only if it does not extend below the manufacturer's AS-1 line, which is a marking on most windshields that indicates where the sun visor naturally ends. Other states specify an exact measurement instead. If your windshield tint goes below the allowed line, it is a violation regardless of how dark the tint itself is.

Windshield tint that is too dark or too low is one of the most common reasons for a tint stop, because officers can see the violation from outside the vehicle.

Front side window tint limits vary from 50% to 90% VLT

Front side windows — the windows next to the driver and front passenger — have the second-strictest rules. Most states allow between 50% and 70% VLT on these windows, meaning you can block 30% to 50% of the light. A few states are more permissive and allow up to 90% VLT (blocking only 10% of light), while a handful allow as little as 35% VLT.

The reason front windows are regulated more strictly than rear windows is that police need to see the driver and front passenger during a traffic stop. A tint that is too dark on the front windows can result in a ticket even if your rear windows are legal.

Some states measure front window tint differently depending on the vehicle type. Trucks and SUVs may have different limits than sedans, or the rules may explore only to the windows behind the front doors. Check your state's specific rules before tinting, because the difference between legal and illegal can be just 10% to 20% of VLT.

Rear window tint has the widest range of state rules

Rear windows — including the rear windshield and windows behind the rear doors — have the most variation across states. Some states have no tint restriction at all on rear windows, meaning you can tint them as dark as you want. Other states allow 50% VLT or darker. A few states fall somewhere in between, allowing 65% or 70% VLT.

The reason rear windows are less regulated is that they do not affect the driver's forward visibility or the officer's ability to see the driver during a stop. However, some states still restrict rear tint because it can hide occupants from view, which law enforcement argues is a safety concern.

If you live in a state with no rear window restriction, you can tint those windows as dark as you want. If you live in a state with a limit, exceeding it on rear windows is typically a lower-priority violation than exceeding it on front windows, but it is still a violation and can result in a ticket.

Medical exemptions exist in some states but require documentation

A small number of states — including Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas — allow darker window tint if you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to sunlight. Conditions that may may have access to include lupus, porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and severe photosensitivity. The process usually requires a letter from a licensed physician stating the condition and recommending darker tint as treatment.

If your state offers a medical exemption, you typically must submit the doctor's letter to your state's motor vehicle department along with a form specific to that state. Some states issue a special permit or placard that you keep in the vehicle; others straightforward note the exemption in your vehicle registration. Without the proper documentation, even a medically necessary tint is illegal and can result in a ticket.

The darkness level allowed under a medical exemption varies by state. Some states allow you to tint as dark as you need; others set a specific limit (such as 35% VLT) even with an exemption. If you think you may have access to, contact your state's motor vehicle department to learn the process and what documentation you need.

State-by-state tint limits at a glance

StateWindshieldFront WindowsRear Windows
AlabamaTop 6 inches32% VLT32% VLT
AlaskaTop 4 inches70% VLTNo limit
ArizonaTop 5 inches88% VLTNo limit
CaliforniaAS-1 line only70% VLTNo limit
ColoradoTop 4 inches27% VLT27% VLT
ConnecticutTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
DelawareTop 2 inches70% VLTNo limit
FloridaAS-1 line only28% VLT15% VLT
GeorgiaTop 6 inches32% VLT32% VLT
HawaiiTop 4 inches50% VLTNo limit
IdahoTop 4 inches70% VLTNo limit
IllinoisTop 6 inches50% VLTNo limit
IndianaTop 4 inches30% VLTNo limit
IowaTop 5 inches70% VLTNo limit
KansasTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
KentuckyTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
LouisianaTop 6 inches40% VLT40% VLT
MaineTop 6 inches50% VLTNo limit
MarylandTop 2 inches35% VLTNo limit
MassachusettsTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
MichiganTop 4 inches50% VLTNo limit
MinnesotaTop 5 inches50% VLTNo limit
MississippiTop 4 inches28% VLT28% VLT
MissouriTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
MontanaTop 4 inches24% VLT24% VLT
NebraskaTop 5 inches35% VLTNo limit
NevadaTop 4 inches70% VLTNo limit
New HampshireTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
New JerseyTop 6 inches70% VLTNo limit
New MexicoTop 5 inches51% VLTNo limit
New YorkAS-1 line only70% VLTNo limit
North CarolinaTop 5 inches35% VLTNo limit
North DakotaTop 5 inches50% VLTNo limit
OhioTop 4 inches50% VLTNo limit
OklahomaTop 6 inches26% VLT26% VLT
OregonTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
PennsylvaniaTop 6 inches70% VLTNo limit
Rhode IslandTop 6 inches70% VLTNo limit
South CarolinaTop 6 inches27% VLT27% VLT
South DakotaTop 5 inches50% VLTNo limit
TennesseeTop 6 inches35% VLTNo limit
TexasTop 5 inches25% VLTNo limit
UtahTop 4 inches43% VLTNo limit
VermontTop 6 inches30% VLTNo limit
VirginiaTop 5 inches50% VLTNo limit
WashingtonTop 6 inches24% VLT24% VLT
West VirginiaTop 2 inches35% VLTNo limit
WisconsinTop 6 inches50% VLTNo limit
WyomingTop 4 inches28% VLT