Georgia's window tint limits by window location
Georgia law sets different tint darkness limits depending on which windows you tint. The darkness of window tint is measured as Visible Light Transmission (VLT) — the percentage of light that passes through the tint. Higher percentages mean lighter tint; lower percentages mean darker tint.
For your windshield, you can tint only the top 6 inches, and that tint must allow at least 70% of light through (70% VLT or lighter). For your front side windows, the legal limit is 32% VLT — meaning the tint can block up to 68% of light. Your rear side windows and rear windshield have no darkness limit in Georgia, so you can tint them as dark as you want.
The distinction between front and rear windows matters because police can see into your front cabin from the road. Rear windows have no limit because they don't affect the officer's ability to see the driver or front passenger during a traffic stop.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia measures tint darkness as VLT (Visible Light Transmission), and the legal limit for front side windows is 32% VLT.
- Your windshield can have tint only on the top 6 inches, and that tint must be 70% VLT or lighter.
- Rear side windows and rear windshields have no darkness limit under Georgia law.
- Reflective or mirrored tint is banned on all windows in Georgia, regardless of darkness level.
- Window tint violations are a misdemeanor, and you can be stopped and cited even if your tint is the only issue.
Reflective tint and other restrictions
Georgia bans reflective or mirrored tint on all windows, even if the darkness level would otherwise be legal. This means you cannot use tint that bounces light back or creates a mirror-like appearance, no matter how light the tint is. The law applies equally to all four windows and the windshield.
You also cannot use tint that changes color depending on the angle you view it from, sometimes called "chameleon" or "color-shifting" tint. Georgia law requires that tint remain a consistent color and appearance. If you have questions about whether a specific product meets this standard, you can contact the Georgia Department of Public Safety or ask the tint shop before installation.
Medical exemptions for window tint
Georgia allows darker tint than the standard limit if you have a medical condition that requires it. The condition must make you sensitive to sunlight — for example, lupus, porphyria, or severe photosensitivity. You will need a written statement from a licensed physician in Georgia stating that you have such a condition and that window tint is medically necessary.
With a medical exemption, you can tint your front side windows darker than 32% VLT. You must carry the physician's statement in your vehicle at all times. If you are stopped by police, show them the statement along with your driver's license. Without the statement in the car, you can still be cited even if you have a legitimate medical reason for the tint.
The exemption does not override the reflective tint ban or the windshield rules. Your windshield top 6 inches must still be 70% VLT or lighter, and you still cannot use mirrored or color-shifting tint.
What happens if you get pulled over for illegal tint
Window tint violations in Georgia are a misdemeanor. Police can stop you solely because of tint darkness — they do not need another reason. If an officer determines your tint is darker than the legal limit, you will receive a citation.
The fine for a first tint violation is typically $25 to $100, though the exact amount can vary by county and whether the officer chooses to cite you for additional violations. You will also be ordered to remove or lighten the tint. If you do not comply and are stopped again, you face a second citation and potentially higher fines.
Some officers use a tint meter to measure VLT at the roadside. If you believe the reading is inaccurate, you can request that the tint be measured again or challenge the citation in court. You may also have the option to remove the tint and show proof of removal to have the citation dismissed, depending on your county's policies.
How to measure your current tint
If you already have tint on your windows and want to know whether it is legal, you have two options. The first is to visit a professional tint shop and ask them to measure your windows with a tint meter. Most shops will do this for free or a small fee, and they can tell you when ready whether each window meets Georgia's limits.
The second option is to contact your local police department's non-emergency line and ask whether they can measure your tint. Some departments offer this service, though it is not may provide. This approach has the advantage of getting an official reading, but it may take longer than visiting a tint shop.
Do not rely on the shop that installed your tint to tell you it is legal — shops sometimes misrepresent darkness levels to customers. A measurement from an independent source or the police is more reliable.
Removing or lightening illegal tint
If your tint is darker than Georgia's limits, you will need to remove it or have it lightened. Removal is the simpler option: a tint shop can remove the film using heat and a scraper, usually in under an hour. The cost is typically $50 to $150 per window, depending on how many windows you are having done and the shop's rates.
Lightening tint is possible but less common. Some shops can explore a lighter tint over existing tint, though this can create a layered appearance and may not look as clean as removal and reinstallation. If you want to keep tint but stay within the law, removal and reinstallation with the correct darkness level is usually the better choice.
After removal or lightening, keep your receipt. If you are stopped again, you can show the receipt to the officer as proof that you have corrected the violation. Some counties will dismiss a citation if you provide proof of removal within a certain timeframe — usually 30 days — so ask the officer or the court about this option when you receive your citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tint my windshield below the top 6 inches?
No. Georgia law allows tint only on the top 6 inches of the windshield, and that tint must be 70% VLT or lighter. Tinting any part of the windshield below that line is illegal, regardless of how light the tint is.
What if I have tint from another state that was legal there?
Georgia enforces its own tint limits, not the limits of the state where the tint was installed. If your tint is darker than Georgia's legal limits, it is illegal in Georgia even if it was legal in the state where you had it done. You will need to remove or lighten it to comply with Georgia law.
Do I need a medical exemption letter every time I get pulled over?
Yes. You must carry the physician's statement in your vehicle at all times. If you are stopped, show it along with your driver's license. Without the statement in the car, you can be cited even if you have a legitimate medical reason for the tint.
Can window tint shops tell me if my tint is legal?
Yes, most shops can measure your tint with a meter and tell you whether it meets Georgia's limits. However, use an independent shop or the police for an official reading rather than the shop that installed your tint, since shops have a financial incentive to say tint is legal.
Is there a grace period for removing illegal tint?
Georgia law does not set a statewide grace period, but some counties offer one if you show proof of removal. Ask the officer or the court when you receive your citation whether your county allows this. If it does, keep your removal receipt to show compliance.