How dark can you legally tint? See your state’s VLT limits for every window — taken from the statute itself.
Window Tint Laws by State
Pick your state to see how dark you can legally tint each window of a passenger car — the windshield, the front and rear side windows and the rear window — plus the medical exemption rules. Percentages are VLT: the minimum share of light the window must let through, so a lower number means darker tint is allowed.
General information only, not legal advice. Figures are the passenger-car rules from each state’s statute or regulation as of November 2026; SUVs, vans and trucks follow different rules in many states (see the note). Tint laws change — confirm with your state police or DMV before you tint.
How to read these limits
Every percentage in the lookup is a VLT minimum — the share of light the finished window (glass plus film) must let through. A lower percentage means darker tint is allowed, so “35%” means you may tint down to 35% but no darker. The figures are the passenger-car rules; many states give SUVs, vans and trucks darker allowances behind the driver, and the note under each result flags where that split matters most.
Why tint laws keep changing
Tint law is not settled. Delaware and Iowa both rewrote theirs in 2026, North Dakota loosened its limit in 2025, Louisiana tightened its front-side rule the same year, and Hawaii extended its rear-window exemption to sedans. Every figure in this lookup was checked against the statute or regulation itself in November 2026, and each result shows its citation — but if a ticket turns on a number, confirm it with your state police or DMV.
Window tint questions, answered
What does VLT actually mean?
VLT is visible light transmission — the percentage of light that passes through the window, glass and film combined. A 35% VLT window lets 35% of light through. The lower the number, the darker the tint, which is why state laws set a minimum VLT: “35%” in the table means your window may not be darker than 35%.
Why are the front windows always stricter than the rear?
Two reasons. The driver has to see out — and officers have to see in during a traffic stop. Almost every state therefore holds the windshield and front side windows to a lighter standard, while windows behind the driver often have a lower limit or none at all.
My SUV came with dark rear glass from the factory. Is that legal?
Usually, yes. Factory glazing that meets the federal safety standard (FMVSS 205) is treated separately from aftermarket film in most states — that is why new SUVs and trucks ship with dark rear glass in states where adding the same darkness with film would be illegal. The table above covers aftermarket tint on passenger cars.
Does a medical exemption from my state work in other states?
Not automatically. Exemptions are creatures of your own state’s law, and there is no formal reciprocity — though many officers exercise discretion when they see proper documentation from another state. If you drive across state lines regularly, carry your exemption paperwork.
Can police stop me just for tint?
In most states, yes — tint is a primary offence, meaning it alone can justify a stop and a meter test. A few states (Virginia is one) have made it secondary, so tint alone is not enough for a stop there. Either way, an officer who stops you for something else can still cite the tint.
How accurate are these figures?
Each row comes from the state’s own statute or regulation, checked in November 2026, and the citation is shown with the result. Tint laws do change — Delaware and Iowa both rewrote theirs in 2026, and North Dakota in 2025 — so confirm with your state police or DMV before you pay for film.
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