Legal tint limits, 2026
Window tint laws by state: legal tint limits and medical exemptions
Every state and Washington, DC limits how dark car window tint can be. Most limits are written as VLT, the percentage of visible light a window lets through: the lower the number, the darker the tint. Front side windows and the windshield are the most restricted, and rear windows are often looser. Some states also offer a medical exemption for drivers with a qualifying light-sensitive condition, but not all of them do. The table below lists each state's standard limits as written in its statute or official agency guidance, with the date we last checked.
Last updated
Window tint limits in all 50 states and DC
Of all 50 states and DC, 35 offer a medical exemption for darker tint, 5 grant discretionary waivers case by case, 1 allows only light film under its exemption, 1 allows only removable sun screens for medical needs, 2 allow only clear UV film for medical reasons and 7 have no medical exemption.
Percentages are the minimum share of light the window must let through. “Any darkness” means the law sets no minimum for that window. These are the standard limits for drivers without a medical exemption. Open a state for its exemption rules, process and every official source we used.
| State | Front side windows | Rear side windows | Back window | Windshield | Medical exemption | Law and date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32%multipurpose vehicles may be darker with mirrors on both sides | 32%multipurpose vehicles may be darker with mirrors on both sides | Transparent, non-red, non-amber strip in the top 6 inches only | Medical exemption available | Code of Alabama 32-5C-4 (limits in 32-5C-2 and 32-5C-3)Checked |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% | Tint strip no more than 5 inches down from the top | Medical exemption available | 13 AAC 04.223(c), Alaska Administrative CodeChecked |
| Arizona | 33% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Transparent strip at the top, at least 29 inches above the driver's seat | Medical exemption available | A.R.S. 28-959.01(G)Checked |
| Arkansas | 25% | See statute | 10% | No tint except a top strip (brow) of no more than 5 inches | Medical exemption available | Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306(e), as amended by Act 293 of 2013Checked |
| California | No tint except clear UV film88% or lighter | Any darkness | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | Transparent strip at the top, at least 29 inches above the driver's seat | Removable screens only | California Vehicle Code 26708(b)(10), 26708(e) and 26708.2Checked |
| Colorado | 27% | 27%darker only if the front windows stay at 70% | 27%darker only if the front windows stay at 70% | 70%; a nonreflective strip in the top 4 inches | No medical exemption | C.R.S. 42-4-227Checked |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35%no limit on trucks, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles with mirrors on both sides | 35%, or no limit with outside mirrors on both sides | Transparent strip at the top, bottom edge at least 29 inches above the driver's seat; not red or amber | Medical exemption available | C.G.S. 14-99g(b) and Regs. Conn. State Agencies 14-99g-7Checked |
| Delaware | 50%since August 17, 2026 | Any darkness | Any darkness | Transparent tint along the top edge only, not into the AS-1 area | Medical exemption available | 21 Del. C. 4313(d), as amended by 85 Del. Laws c. 425 (SS 1 for SB 255, effective Aug. 17, 2026)Checked |
| District of Columbia | 70%55% on minivans | 50%35% on minivans | 50%35% on minivans | 70%; darker only above the AS-1 line or within 5 inches of the top | Medical exemption available | D.C. Code 50-2207.02(h)(5)Checked |
| Florida | 28% | 15%6% on multipurpose vehicles | 15%6% on multipurpose vehicles | Transparent strip along the top, above the AS-1 line | Medical exemption available | Florida Statutes 316.29545Checked |
| Georgia | 28% | 15% | 15%multipurpose vehicles, buses and limousines exempt | No tint, apart from limited statutory exceptions | Medical exemption available | O.C.G.A. 40-8-73.1 (amended by HB 1161, effective July 1, 2026) and DPS Rule 570-22-.06Checked |
| Hawaii | 35% | Any darkness with mirrors on both sides | Any darkness with mirrors on both sides | Transparent film down to the AS-1 lineor top 4 inches | No medical exemption | HRS 291-21.5 (amended 2025)Checked |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line, or the top 6 inches if unmarked | Medical exemption available | Idaho Code 49-944(4)Checked |
| Illinois | 50%35% if no rear window is below 35% | No separate limitsets the front side limit | No separate limitsets the front side limit | Nonreflective tint in the top 6 inches only | Medical exemption available | 625 ILCS 5/12-503(g) and 5/3-412(k)Checked |
| Indiana | 30% | No percentage setno view-obstructing tint | 30% | Tint only on the uppermost part, no lower than the AS-1 line | Medical exemption available | Indiana Code 9-19-19-4Checked |
| Iowa | 50% | Any darkness | Any darkness | 70% | No medical exemption | Iowa Code 321.438(2), as amended by HF 766 (2026)Checked |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line only | Clear UV film only | K.S.A. 8-1749aChecked |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18%8% on multipurpose vehicles | 18%8% on multipurpose vehicles | Strip above the AS-1 line, or film that keeps 70% | No medical exemption | KRS 189.110Checked |
| Louisiana | 25%since August 1, 2025 | 25%no limit on trucks, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles | 12%no limit on trucks, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles | Transparent, non-red, non-amber strip in the top 5 inches | Medical exemption available | La. R.S. 32:361.2 (limits in 32:361.1, amended by Act 143 of 2025)Checked |
| Maine | 35% | 35%, or any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | 35%, or any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | No tint that darkens the original glass, except above the AS-1 line or in the top 5 inches | Discretionary waiver | 29-A M.R.S. 1916(2)(A)(4)Checked |
| Maryland | 35% | 35%passenger cars | 35%passenger cars | No tint below the AS-1 line or 5 inches from the top | Medical exemption available | Md. Code, Transportation 22-406(i)Checked |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | Transparent material in the top 6 inches only | Medical exemption available | MGL c. 90, s. 9DChecked |
| Michigan | Tint only in the top 4 inches | Any darkness | Any darknessmirrors on both sides if obstructed | Tint only in the top 4 inches or above the shade band | Medical exemption available | MCL 257.709(3)(e)Checked |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50%vans and limousines excepted | 50%pickups, vans and limousines excepted | No tint | Medical exemption available | Minn. Stat. 169.71, subd. 4aChecked |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28%pickups, vans, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles may match federal factory levels | 28%pickups, vans, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles may match federal factory levels | No tint except a sun shield strip at the very top allowed under federal law | Medical exemption available | Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59(4), as amended by SB 2453 (2026), effective July 1, 2026Checked |
| Missouri | 35% | Any darkness | Any darkness | No aftermarket tint except the factory-tinted top portion | Medical exemption available | RSMo 307.173Checked |
| Montana | 24% | 14%no limit on multipurpose vehicles, vans and buses | 14%no limit on multipurpose vehicles, vans and buses | Only clear material below the AS-1 line; nothing red, yellow or amber above it | Discretionary waiver | MCA 61-9-428 (waiver) and 61-9-405(4) (limits)Checked |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20%no limit on multipurpose vehicles, vans and buses | 20%no limit on multipurpose vehicles, vans and buses | Only clear material below the AS-1 line or top 5 inches | Discretionary waiver | Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,260 (waiver) and 60-6,257 (limits)Checked |
| Nevada | 35% | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | Transparent strip at the top, bottom edge at least 29 inches above the driver's seat; not red or amber | Discretionary waiver | NRS 484D.440 and NAC 484D.280 to 484D.290Checked |
| New Hampshire | 70% | 35%multipurpose vehicles and pickups may match federal factory levels | 35%multipurpose vehicles and pickups may match federal factory levels | Only a strip up to 6 inches at the very top, at least 35% | Medical exemption available | RSA 266:58-a(III-a) and 266:61-a(IX)Checked |
| New Jersey | No aftermarket tint | See statute | See statute | No aftermarket tint | Light film only | N.J.S.A. 39:3-75.1 and N.J.A.C. 13:20-1Checked |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20%no limit on multipurpose passenger vehicles, RVs, buses and motor homes | 20%no limit on multipurpose passenger vehicles, RVs, buses and motor homes | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches, whichever is closer to the top | Medical exemption available | NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(E)Checked |
| New York | 70% | 70%no limit on SUVs, vans and trucks | Darker allowed with outside mirrors on both sides | 70%, except the top 6 inches | Medical exemption available | NY Vehicle and Traffic Law 375(12-a)Checked |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35%no limit on SUVs, minivans and pickups | 35%no limit on SUVs, minivans and pickups | Tint along the top only, 5 inches or to the AS-1 line, whichever is longer | Medical exemption available | N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-127(f)Checked |
| North Dakota | 35% | 35%, or any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | 35%, or any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | 70%; nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches | No medical exemption | NDCC 39-21-39Checked |
| Ohio | 50% | Any darkness | Any darknessmirrors on both sides required below 50% | 70%; unregulated above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches | Medical exemption available | Ohio Adm. Code 4501-41-05 (under ORC 4513.241)Checked |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25%10% on pre-1996 models with mirrors on both sides | 25%10% on pre-1996 models with mirrors on both sides | Tint only above the AS-1 line or in the top 5 inches, not red or amber | Discretionary waiver | 47 O.S. 12-422(H) and OAC 670:15-13Checked |
| Oregon | 35% totalfilm at least 50% | 35% totalno limit behind the driver on pickups, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles | 35% totalno limit behind the driver on pickups, SUVs and other multipurpose vehicles | Tint only in the top 6 inches | Medical exemption available | ORS 815.221(5) and 815.222Checked |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70%no limit on trucks and multipurpose vehicles | 70%no limit on trucks and multipurpose vehicles | Transparent strip within 3 inches of the top, out of the AS-1 area | Clear UV film only | 75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e) and 67 Pa. Code 175.265Checked |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, trucks and other listed vehicles with two outside mirrors | 70%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, trucks and other listed vehicles with two outside mirrors | Transparent material in the top 6 inches only; otherwise 70% | Medical exemption available | R.I. Gen. Laws 31-23.3-4(7)Checked |
| South Carolina | 27%film plus glass | 27%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, buses, RVs and trucks other than pickups | 27%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, buses, RVs and trucks other than pickups | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line only; none if no AS-1 line is visible | Medical exemption available | S.C. Code 56-5-5015(H)Checked |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | No film below the AS-1 line or the sun visor | No medical exemption | SDCL 32-15-2.4, 32-15-2.5 and 32-15-2.9Checked |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | 70%, apart from the factory shade band | Medical exemption available | Tenn. Code Ann. 55-9-107(b)Checked |
| Texas | 25% | Any darkness | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | Tint above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches, at least 25% | Medical exemption available | Texas Transportation Code 547.613(e)Checked |
| Utah | 35% | Darker allowedmirrors on both sides required | Darker allowedmirrors on both sides required | 70%; tint only in the top 4 inches or above the AS-1 line | No medical exemption | Utah Code 41-6a-1635Checked |
| Vermont | No aftermarket tintno percentage set | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | Any darkness with outside mirrors on both sides | No aftermarket tint; only small sticker areas in set corners | Medical exemption available | 23 V.S.A. 1125(c)Checked |
| Virginia | 50% | 35%no limit on multipurpose vehicles and pickups | 35%no limit on multipurpose vehicles and pickups | No film except the top sunshield strip; clear film allowed | Medical exemption available | Va. Code 46.2-1053Checked |
| Washington | 24% | 24%darker allowed on SUVs, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | 24%darker allowed on SUVs, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | Tint along the top only, above the AS-1 line and within 6 inches | Medical exemption available | RCW 46.37.430(5)(d)Checked |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, vans, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | 35%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, vans, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches, whichever is closer to the top | Medical exemption available | W. Va. Code 17C-15-36a(f)Checked |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | Film only above the AS-1 line and outside the critical area; none without an AS-1 mark | Medical exemption available | Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.32(4)(b)3Checked |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | 28%no limit behind the driver on SUVs, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles | Nonreflective tint above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches, whichever is closer to the top | Medical exemption available | Wyo. Stat. 31-5-962(m)Checked |
Swipe or scroll the table sideways to see every column.
How to read tint percentages (VLT)
VLT, or visible light transmission, is the share of visible light that passes through a window. A 70% window lets through 70% of the light and looks nearly clear; a 5% window, often called limo tint, lets through very little. A limit such as 35% means the window must let through at least 35% of the light, so a lower number is a darker tint.
Factory glass and film combine. Glass is not perfectly clear, so film on top of it meters darker than the number on the film's label, which is why many installers leave some margin below the limit. On the windshield, most states allow tint only in a strip along the top, often down to the AS-1 line marked near the top of the glass.
States with no medical tint exemption
Not every state lets a medical condition override its tint limits. Based on each state's statute and official guidance, these states have no medical exemption for darker tint, or limit the medical route to clear film or removable sun screens.
No medical exemption (7)
No medical exemption for darker tint. Drivers stay within the standard limits.
Clear UV film only (2)
The medical provision covers clear UV-filtering film only, not darker tint.
New Jersey's exemption allows only light film on the restricted windows. Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and Oklahoma grant waivers case by case, at an agency's discretion.
ShadedMD does not offer evaluations in states with no medical exemption or a clear-film-only rule, because a physician evaluation would not make darker tint legal there.
Medical exemptions for light-sensitive drivers
Most states do have a route: 35 jurisdictions offer a medical exemption for darker tint, and 5 more grant discretionary waivers. The details differ widely from state to state:
- Who signs: usually a licensed physician, and in some states an optometrist or another licensed provider.
- What you file: some states accept a signed statement kept in the vehicle, while others require a state form, permit or special plates.
- How dark you can go: some exemptions set no minimum, while others set a floor or keep the windshield restricted.
- How long it lasts: anywhere from no expiration to a few years, and some exemptions are tied to one vehicle.
Your state's page has its rule, process, form and sources: medical exemption rules by state.
ShadedMD offers a medical window tint exemption online. A physician licensed in your state reviews a 5-minute questionnaire and approves or denies it based on medical need. If you are approved, your certificate is emailed to you. It costs a flat $129, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Any state form, filing or fee follows your state's own rules.
What happens if your tint is too dark
Tint darker than your state's limit can lead to a ticket at a traffic stop, and often an order to remove or replace the film. Officers can check tint on the spot with a handheld light meter. Fines, fix-it tickets and inspection rules vary by state, and a medical exemption only helps if your state offers one and you carry the paperwork it requires.
Window tint law FAQ
What is the legal window tint limit?
There is no single national limit. Each state sets its own minimum VLT, usually strictest for the windshield and front side windows and looser for the rear windows. Where a state sets a percentage for the front side windows, the limits in our table range from 20% in New Mexico to 70% in Alaska, the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Find your state in the table above for its limits and the law they come from.
Is 20% tint legal?
It depends on your state and the window. Of all 50 states and DC, only New Mexico allows front side windows as dark as 20%; everywhere else, 20% tint on the front side windows is outside the standard limit. Rear windows are often looser: in at least 21 of them, 20% is within the standard limit for the rear side windows, in some only with outside mirrors on both sides. Factory glass and film combine, so a 20% film reads darker once installed. Check your state's row before you tint.
Which states don't allow a medical tint exemption?
Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah have no medical exemption for darker tint. Kansas and Pennsylvania allow only clear UV film for medical reasons. California allows only removable sun screens. New Jersey allows only light film on the restricted windows. That is based on our review of all 50 states and DC; every other one offers a medical exemption or a discretionary waiver, each with its own rules.
How do I get a medical exemption for window tint?
Where a state offers one, it starts with a licensed physician, or in some states an optometrist or another licensed provider, certifying your medical need. Some states accept a signed statement kept in the vehicle; others require a state form, permit or special plates. ShadedMD's physicians, licensed in your state, review a 5-minute questionnaire online for $129, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are these the limits for drivers with a medical exemption?
No. The table shows each state's standard limits for drivers without an exemption. Where a state offers a medical exemption, the darker level it allows and the windows it covers are set by that state's own rule. Open your state's page for those details.
Can I get a ticket for illegal window tint?
Yes. Officers can check tint with a light meter at a traffic stop, and tint darker than your state's limit can mean a ticket or an order to remove it. If you have a qualifying condition and your state offers an exemption, keep your exemption paperwork in the vehicle.
Do tint laws apply to the windshield?
Yes. The windshield is the most restricted glass. Many states allow tint only in a strip along the top, often down to the AS-1 line marked on the glass or a set number of inches, and a medical exemption does not always change that. Check your state's row and its page before you tint the windshield.
Sources and how we check them
Every row comes from the state's statute, regulation or official agency guidance, read on official government and legislature websites. The law column links the controlling law for each state, and each state's page lists every source we used and the date we last checked it.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Tint laws change, so confirm the current rules with your state's motor vehicle agency or state police before you tint.
Light-sensitive and need darker tint?
5-minute questionnaire, review by a physician licensed in your state, certificate by email. 30-day money-back guarantee.