Arizona allows up to 35% light transmittance on front side windows, 35% on rear side windows, and any darkness on rear windows
Arizona's window tint law sets specific limits on how dark you can tint your car windows, and the rules differ depending on which windows you're tinting. The state measures tint darkness by Visible Light Transmittance (VLT), which is the percentage of light allowed to pass through the glass. A lower percentage means darker tint.
For sedans and most passenger vehicles, Arizona law allows 35% VLT on the front side windows and 35% VLT on the rear side windows. Your rear window (the back glass) can be tinted as dark as you want. Your windshield can have a non-reflective tint strip along the top, but only in the area above the manufacturer's AS-1 line (usually the top few inches). Front side windows cannot be tinted at all on vehicles manufactured before 1975, though this restriction rarely affects modern cars.
The law also restricts how reflective your tint can be. Tint on any window cannot be more reflective than the window tint allowed on the same window of a factory-equipped vehicle. This prevents people from using mirror-like films that create safety hazards.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona permits 35% tint on front and rear side windows, measured as the percentage of light passing through the glass.
- Your rear window can be tinted completely dark with no legal limit.
- A non-reflective tint strip is allowed on your windshield only above the AS-1 line, which is typically the top 4 to 6 inches.
- Reflective tint cannot exceed what a factory-equipped vehicle of the same model year would have, preventing mirror-like films.
- Medical exemptions are available through Arizona Department of Transportation if you have a condition requiring darker tint, but you must carry documentation.
How Arizona measures tint darkness
Arizona uses Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) as its standard for measuring tint. VLT is expressed as a percentage and represents how much visible light passes through the tinted glass. A window with 35% VLT lets 35% of light through and blocks 65%. A window with 70% VLT lets 70% of light through and blocks only 30%, so it appears much lighter.
When you buy tint film, the packaging will list the VLT percentage. You can measure your own tint with a light meter, though law enforcement uses calibrated meters during traffic stops. If an officer suspects your tint is too dark, they can test it on the spot. If the reading comes back below the legal limit for that window, you can receive a citation.
The 35% limit for front and rear side windows is the same across all vehicle types in Arizona. Trucks, SUVs, and sedans follow the same rule. The only exception is vehicles with factory tint that came from the manufacturer darker than 35%—in those cases, you're allowed to keep the factory tint, but you cannot add aftermarket tint on top of it.
Medical exemptions and how to get one
Arizona allows medical exemptions for people with conditions that require protection from sunlight. These conditions include lupus, porphyria cutanea tarda, polymorphous light eruption, and other photosensitive disorders. If you have a may have access to condition, you can tint your windows darker than the legal limit, but you must carry proof of the exemption in your vehicle at all times.
To obtain a medical exemption, you need a letter from a licensed physician stating that you have a condition requiring darker window tint for medical reasons. You then submit this letter to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). ADOT will issue you a medical exemption certificate that you must keep in your vehicle. Without this certificate, an officer will cite you for illegal tint, even if you have the condition.
The exemption does not allow unlimited tint darkness. You still cannot tint your windshield below the AS-1 line, and your front side windows cannot be completely opaque. The exemption gives you more flexibility than the standard law allows, but it is not a blank check to tint as dark as you want. If you are stopped, show the officer your exemption certificate when ready.
Penalties for illegal window tint in Arizona
A violation of Arizona's window tint law is a civil traffic violation, not a criminal offense. The first citation typically results in a fine, which varies by county but generally ranges from around $100 to $250. You will also receive a notice to cure, meaning you have a set period (usually 10 days) to remove or lighten the tint and have an officer inspect your vehicle to confirm compliance.
If you do not cure the violation within the allowed time, you can receive additional fines. Repeat violations within a certain period can result in higher fines and may affect your vehicle registration. Some counties allow you to show proof of tint removal to a police department rather than having an officer inspect the vehicle in person, which can save time.
Law enforcement can also use illegal tint as a reason to pull you over, which means an officer can stop your vehicle solely because your windows appear too dark. During the stop, the officer can test your tint with a meter. If the test confirms a violation, you will receive a citation on the spot.
Differences between Arizona tint law and neighboring states
Arizona's 35% front side window limit is more permissive than California's 70% limit but stricter than Nevada's 35% limit. California allows much lighter tint on front windows, making Arizona's law moderate by regional standards. If you frequently drive across state lines, be aware that tint legal in Arizona might violate another state's law, and vice versa.
Nevada and Arizona both allow 35% on front and rear side windows, so tint that is legal in one state is legal in the other. California, by contrast, requires 70% VLT on front side windows, meaning California allows much lighter tint. Utah allows 43% on front windows and 35% on rear windows. New Mexico allows 50% on front windows and 35% on rear windows.
If you plan to move to another state or drive frequently across borders, research that state's tint law before having tint installed. Removing or lightening tint can be expensive and time-consuming, so it is worth confirming compliance before you commit to a particular darkness level.
What happens during a tint inspection or traffic stop
If an officer stops you for suspected illegal tint, they will typically ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance as with any traffic stop. The officer may then use a handheld light meter to measure the VLT on your windows. This process takes only a few minutes. The meter is placed against the window from inside the vehicle, and the reading appears on a digital display.
If the reading is below the legal limit for that window, the officer will issue a citation. You will receive a notice to cure, which gives you a important date to remove or lighten the tint. Some jurisdictions allow you to have the tint tested again by a certified technician and submit proof of compliance, rather than having a police officer re-inspect the vehicle.
If you believe the officer's meter reading was inaccurate, you can contest the citation in traffic court. You may bring your own evidence, such as documentation from the tint shop showing the VLT percentage of the film installed, or you can request that the officer's meter be calibrated and certified. However, the burden is on you to prove the tint complies with the law.
Tint shops and what to confirm before installation
When you visit a tint shop in Arizona, confirm that the technician understands Arizona's specific limits: 35% on front and rear side windows, any darkness on the rear window, and a non-reflective strip only on the windshield above the AS-1 line. Some shops serve customers from multiple states and may not be familiar with Arizona's exact rules. Ask the technician to show you the VLT rating on the film packaging before installation.
Reputable shops will provide documentation of the VLT percentage of the film they installed. Keep this receipt or certificate in your vehicle. If you are stopped and cited, this documentation can help you contest the citation or prove you made a good-faith effort to comply with the law. Some shops also offer a warranty or may provide that the tint meets Arizona legal standards, though this does not protect you from a citation if the tint is actually too dark.
Be cautious of shops that advertise "the darkest legal tint" or claim they can install tint right at the legal limit. Tint darkness can vary slightly depending on the angle of light, the quality of the film, and the meter used to measure it. A shop that installs tint at exactly 35% VLT risks producing a result that reads slightly below 35% when tested by law enforcement. Many responsible shops install at 37% or 38% to provide a small safety margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tint my windshield in Arizona?
You can explore a non-reflective tint strip to your windshield, but only in the area above the AS-1 line, which is typically the top 4 to 6 inches as marked by the manufacturer. You cannot tint the rest of the windshield. The AS-1 line is usually a faint line or dot pattern at the top of the glass.
What if I have factory tint that is darker than 35%?
You can keep factory tint that came on your vehicle from the manufacturer, even if it is darker than 35% VLT. You cannot add aftermarket tint on top of factory tint. If you add aftermarket tint to a window that already has factory tint, you may be cited for illegal tint.
Do I need a medical exemption if I have very sensitive skin?
A general sensitivity to sun or skin sensitivity alone does not may have access to for a medical exemption. Arizona's exemption is limited to specific photosensitive medical conditions such as lupus, porphyria, and polymorphous light eruption. You must have a letter from a licensed physician diagnosing one of these conditions to obtain an exemption.
Can I get a citation for tint if I just moved to Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's tint law applies to all vehicles registered or driven in the state, regardless of when you moved there or where the tint was installed. If your tint does not comply with Arizona law, you can be cited. You have a set period to cure the violation by removing or lightening the tint.
What is the difference between VLT and reflectance?
VLT measures how much light passes through the tint (a percentage of light transmission). Reflectance measures how much light bounces off the tint surface (how mirror-like it appears). Arizona limits both: your tint cannot be darker than 35% VLT on front and rear side windows, and it cannot be more reflective than factory tint on the same window.