A Full Guide to Texas Window Tint Laws

People in Texas like to tint their car windows for good reason. Tinting your car windows can help keep the inside cool and filter harmful UV rays in a place with a lot of sun and heat. It can also make your automobile more private and secure. But before you put on that sleek, black film, you must know the laws that govern window tinting in Texas.

Texas has specific rules that make sure drivers are comfortable and the public is safe at the same time. This guide details Texas window tint laws, including legal tint percentages, color restrictions, medical exemptions, and the penalties for not following the rules. If you follow these guidelines, you won’t get a ticket and your car will be safe and legal on Texas highways.

Knowing what Texas Tint Law Terms Mean

Before we get into the details, it’s essential to know the primary phrase in the Texas window tint law: Visible Light Transmission (VLT). VLT is the visible light through the window tint film and the glass. A lower VLT number means that the tint is darker. For example, a 25% VLT means that only 25% of the light can get through, which makes it a dark hue. Texas law says that specific windows on your car must have a certain amount of VLT.

It’s also crucial to remember that your car’s glass is not always clear. When you put on aftermarket film, you need to keep in mind that it usually has a tiny tint. A professional installation can use a VLT meter to check the final light transmission and ensure it fulfills state guidelines.

Texas Window Tint Laws Based on Where the Window Is

There are strict rules in Texas about how dark the tint can be on each passenger car window. There are different rules for the windshield, the front side windows, and the back part of the car.

Rules for Tinting Windshields

For safe driving, you need to be able to see through the front windshield. Because of this, the rules for this window are the most rigorous.

• You can put a non-reflective tint on the top 5 inches of the windshield or down to the manufacturer’s AS-1 line, whichever is lower.
• You can’t put any tint on the remainder of the windshield. This ensures the driver can see the road ahead clearly without problems.

Windows on the Front Side

These are the front passenger and driver’s windows. The legislation says that these windows need to be more visible so that the driver and police can see inside the car when they pull it over.

• The total VLT for the front side windows (the factory glass and the film you buy yourself) has to be higher than 25%.
• You can’t have a tint on these windows darker than 25% VLT.

The Back Side and Rear Windows

The rules for the windows behind the driver are less strict, which gives passengers and their things in the back of the car more privacy and keeps them cooler.

• Back Side Windows: You can use any darkness for windows behind the driver. These windows don’t need to have a VLT.
• Back Window (Back Windshield): Like the back side windows, there is no VLT restriction for the back window. If the back window is tinted, the car must have two working outside mirrors. This ensures that motorists can still observe traffic behind them.

Restrictions on the Color and Reflectivity of Tint

Texas law doesn’t only say that window tint has to be black; it also says that it can’t be too reflective or bright so that other drivers aren’t blinded.

Reflectivity

When sunlight hits mirrored or very reflective tints, they can create a blinding glare that is quite dangerous for other drivers.

The legislation says that a car’s front, back, and rear windows cannot have more than 25% reflective window tint.

Colors That Are Not Allowed

Texas law says that some colors can’t be utilized because they can seem like the lights of emergency vehicles.

• Texas law says red, blue, and amber colors are prohibited. If you use these colors, you could get a ticket.
• Using the most popular tint hues, such as gray, charcoal, and bronze, is entirely acceptable.

Medical Exceptions for Darker Tint

Texas knows that some people have medical conditions that make it necessary for them to stay out of the sun. The state has a medical exemption allowing those with darker tints than what is allowed for the general population.

• You must have a medical condition that renders you sensitive to light, including lupus, solar urticaria, or albinism, to get an exemption. You need a signed declaration from a doctor or optometrist explaining why the darker color is medically necessary.
• You must always keep this signed statement in your car and show it to a police officer if they ask for it. The exemption usually only applies to the front side windows, which can be tinted to a level darker than the standard 25% maximum. However, it does not allow the complete front windshield to be tinted.

What Happens if You Break Texas Tint Laws

If you drive in Texas with unlawful window tint, you could face several penalties. Police officers have VLT meters and can evaluate your tint at any traffic stop.

• Fines and Tickets: A traffic ticket is the most prevalent punishment. The penalties for unlawful window tint can differ in different places, although they usually range from a little to more than $200.
• “Make It Right” Tickets: An officer might give you a “fix-it” ticket, an official notice that tells you to take off the illegal tint and show the court proof that you did so by a specific date. If you do as they say, the ticket is usually thrown out, but you could have to pay a modest cost to the government. If you don’t, you’ll have to pay a bigger fine.
• Failed State Inspection: Cars have to pass a safety check every year in Texas. This inspection will fail a vehicle with window tint that is against the law in the state. You won’t be allowed to renew your car’s registration unless you take off the tint or put on a legal film.

Stay Safe and Follow the Rules

Texas window tint laws are not supposed to be hard to follow. They are a useful set of standards that let drivers enjoy the privacy and convenience of tinting while keeping everyone on the road safe.

It’s always preferable to talk to a competent and trustworthy tint installer before having your windows tinted. They know all the rules in Texas and can help you pick a video that works well and is completely legal. You can drive with confidence and avoid expensive fines by following the state’s VLT, reflectivity, and color rules.