A Guide to Window Tint Laws in the USA (State by State)

Applying a tint to your car’s windows is a popular modification that offers privacy, reduces sun glare, and protects the interior from UV damage. However, before you decide on that sleek, dark look, it’s crucial to understand the laws that govern window tinting. In the United States, these regulations are not set at the federal level; each state has its own rules. This can cause confusion, especially if you travel or move across state lines.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of window tint laws across the USA. We will explore why these laws exist, detail the specific regulations for each state, and offer a quick-reference chart to help you stay compliant. Understanding these rules is essential for avoiding fines, ensuring your vehicle passes inspection, and maintaining road safety for yourself and others.

Why Window Tint Laws Vary by State

The primary reason for window tint laws is public safety. Regulations aim to balance the benefits for drivers—like reduced heat and UV protection—and the need for clear visibility for both the driver and law enforcement officers. Darkly tinted windows can reduce a driver’s ability to see pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, especially at night or in poor weather. They also present a safety risk for police officers during traffic stops, as they cannot see inside the vehicle to assess potential threats.

Because traffic safety is managed at the state level, each legislature has developed standards based on local priorities and conditions. This has resulted in a patchwork of regulations across the country. A perfectly legal tint in Florida might be grounds for a ticket in California. These laws are built around a key measurement: Visible Light Transmission (VLT).

Understanding Visible Light Transmission (VLT)

Visible Light Transmission is the percentage of visible light passing through your window glass and tint film. A lower VLT percentage means a darker tint. For example, a 70% VLT is a very light tint, allowing most light to pass through, while a 5% VLT is a very dark “limo” tint that blocks almost all light.

State laws specify the minimum VLT percentage allowed for different windows on a vehicle. It’s important to remember that factory-installed glass is not 100% clear; it typically has a VLT of around 70-85%. When you apply an aftermarket film, the final VLT combines the glass and the film. A professional installer can measure the final VLT to meet legal standards.

State-by-State Breakdown of Window Tint Laws

Navigating the specific window tint laws for each state can be challenging. Below is a detailed breakdown of the regulations for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The rules are generally broken down by window location:

• Windshield: Most states allow a non-reflective tint on the top portion of the windshield, often down to the AS-1 line marked by the manufacturer.
• Front Side Windows: These are the driver and front passenger windows. Regulations for these windows are typically the strictest.
• Back Side Windows: These are the rear passenger windows.
• Rear Window: The back windshield.

Many states have more lenient rules for the back and rear windows. Additionally, some states have regulations regarding tint color and reflectivity. Medical exemptions for darker tints are often available for individuals with specific health conditions, but this requires official documentation.

(Note: Laws are subject to change. Always verify the current regulations with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or a local law enforcement agency.)

Alabama

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 32% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 32% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 32% of light in.

Alaska

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 40% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 40% of light in.

Arizona

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 33% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Arkansas

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 10% of light in.

California

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 4 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in (with some exceptions for factory tint).
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Colorado

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 4 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 27% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 27% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 27% of light in.

Connecticut

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Delaware

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

District of Columbia

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 50% of light in.

Florida

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 15% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 15% of light in.

Georgia

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 32% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 32% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 32% of light in.

Hawaii

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 4 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Idaho

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Illinois

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in. (Windows behind the driver can be darker if the vehicle has dual side mirrors.)

Indiana

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 30% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 30% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 30% of light in.

Iowa

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Kansas

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Kentucky

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 18% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 18% of light in.

Louisiana

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 40% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 12% of light in.

Maine

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used (on vehicles with dual side mirrors).
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used (on vehicles with dual side mirrors).

Maryland

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Massachusetts

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Michigan

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 4 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Any darkness can be used on the top 4 inches.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Minnesota

• Windshield: No tint allowed.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 50% of light in.

Mississippi

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 28% of light in.

Missouri

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Montana

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 24% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 14% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 14% of light in.

Nebraska

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 20% of light in.

Nevada

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

New Hampshire

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: No film tint permitted.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

New Jersey

• Windshield: Tint is prohibited.
• Front Side Windows: Tint is not permitted.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

New Mexico

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 20% of light in.

New York

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

North Carolina

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

North Dakota

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Ohio

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Oklahoma

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Oregon

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Pennsylvania

• Windshield: No tint allowed.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 70% of light in.

Rhode Island

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 70% of light in.

South Carolina

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 27% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 27% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 27% of light in.

South Dakota

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 20% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 20% of light in.

Tennessee

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Texas

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used (if vehicle has dual side mirrors).

Utah

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 43% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Vermont

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: No aftermarket tint allowed.
• Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Virginia

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Washington

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 6 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 24% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 24% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 24% of light in.

West Virginia

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Wisconsin

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed above the AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
• Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

Wyoming

• Windshield: Non-reflective tint allowed on the top 5 inches.
• Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
• Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light in.
• Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Window Tint Laws by State Chart

For quick reference, this chart summarizes the VLT percentage limits for passenger vehicles across the United States. “Any” indicates no VLT percentage requirement for that window.

State	Front Side VLT	Back Side VLT	Rear Window VLT
Alabama	32%	32%	32%
Alaska	70%	40%	40%
Arizona	33%	Any	Any
Arkansas	25%	25%	10%
California	70%	Any	Any
Colorado	27%	27%	27%
Connecticut	35%	Any	Any
Delaware	70%	Any	Any
Dist. of Columbia	70%	50%	50%
Florida	28%	15%	15%
Georgia	32%	32%	32%
Hawaii	35%	35%	35%
Idaho	35%	20%	35%
Illinois	35%	35%	35%
Indiana	30%	30%	30%
Iowa	70%	Any	Any
Kansas	35%	35%	35%
Kentucky	35%	18%	18%
Louisiana	40%	25%	12%
Maine	35%	Any	Any
Maryland	35%	35%	35%
Massachusetts	35%	35%	35%
Michigan	Top 4″ Only	Any	Any
Minnesota	50%	50%	50%
Mississippi	28%	28%	28%
Missouri	35%	Any	Any
Montana	24%	14%	14%
Nebraska	35%	20%	20%
Nevada	35%	Any	Any
New Hampshire	None	35%	35%
New Jersey	None	Any	Any
New Mexico	20%	20%	20%
New York	70%	Any	Any
North Carolina	35%	35%	35%
North Dakota	50%	Any	Any
Ohio	50%	Any	Any
Oklahoma	25%	25%	Any
Oregon	35%	35%	35%
Pennsylvania	70%	70%	70%
Rhode Island	70%	70%	70%
South Carolina	27%	27%	27%
South Dakota	35%	20%	20%
Tennessee	35%	35%	35%
Texas	25%	Any	Any
Utah	43%	Any	Any
Vermont	None	Any	Any
Virginia	50%	35%	35%
Washington	24%	24%	24%
West Virginia	35%	35%	35%
Wisconsin	50%	35%	35%
Wyoming	28%	28%	Any

The Importance of Compliance

Familiarizing yourself with your state’s window tint laws is more than just a suggestion—it’s a legal requirement. Violating these regulations can lead to fines, “fix-it” tickets that require you to remove the illegal tint, and failed vehicle safety inspections. In some cases, illicit modifications can even affect an insurance claim after an accident.

Before investing in window tinting, consult a reputable, professional installer. They are experts in local laws and can help you choose a product that provides the benefits you want while keeping your vehicle fully compliant. By adhering to the regulations, you ensure your safety, the safety of others on the road, and a hassle-free driving experience.