Window Tint Laws by State.
The full 50-state map of legal VLT, windshield rules, reflectivity caps, and medical exemptions. The reference you bring to the install shop — or your local Polar Tint, which already knows.
TL;DR
Tint laws vary widely state to state. Most states cap front side windows between 25% and 50% VLT, with darker tint usually permitted on rear side windows and rear glass. Windshield rules are strict everywhere — most states limit the windshield to a small AS-1 strip across the top. Medical exemptions exist in all 50 states for documented photosensitivity, lupus, melanoma history, and similar conditions. Polar Tint walks you through your state’s legal VLT — every location knows the law in its state and recommends the highest-performance grade for the look you want.
What’s in this guide
How tint laws work
Every state regulates automotive window tint along the same four dimensions, with different numbers in each:
- Front side windows. The driver and front passenger windows. This is the most-regulated pane — police visibility into the cabin matters here. Most states cap at 25%–50% VLT.
- Rear side windows. Behind-the-driver windows on a 4-door. Many states allow “any darkness” or permit much darker than front sides.
- Rear window. The back glass. Same trend — usually more permissive than front sides.
- Windshield. Almost universally restricted to a small non-reflective strip across the top (the “AS-1 strip”), typically 4–6 inches deep. Some states permit full ceramic-clear film at 70%+ VLT on the windshield.
Three additional dimensions some states regulate:
- Reflectivity cap. Mirror-finish or highly-reflective film is illegal almost everywhere. Most states cap at 25%–35% reflectivity.
- Medical exemptions. Every state grants exemptions for documented medical conditions — usually allowing significantly darker VLT than the standard limit.
- Commercial vehicle distinctions. Many states have separate (often more permissive) rules for commercial trucks, vans, RVs, and multi-purpose vehicles.
Disclaimer: tint laws change. This guide is current as of 2026 but you should always confirm with your local Polar Tint or state DMV before booking an install.
The 50-state VLT table
Front side / Rear side / Rear / Windshield / Medical exemption availability.
| State | Front sides | Rear sides | Rear | Windshield | Medical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Arizona | 33% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% | 10% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| California | 70% | Any | Any | 4-inch strip | Yes |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27%* | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Delaware | 70% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6 inches | Yes |
| Hawaii | 35% | 35% | 35% | 4 inches | Yes |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 20% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | Yes |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Iowa | 70% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Maine | 35% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | Yes |
| Michigan | 4-in strip only | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Missouri | 35% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches | Yes |
| Nevada | 35% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| New Hampshire | 70% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | Yes |
| New Jersey | Front illegal | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches | Yes |
| New York | 70% | 70% | Any | 6 inches | Yes |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| North Dakota | 50% | Any | Any | 70% | Yes |
| Ohio | 50% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | 5 inches | Yes |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | 6 inches | Yes |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Texas | 25% | Any | Any | 5 inches | Yes |
| Utah | 43% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Vermont | 70% | Any | Any | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | 6 inches | Yes |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | AS-1 strip | Yes |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | 5 inches | Yes |
* Colorado: the windows behind the driver, including the back window, may go darker than 27% only if the front side windows and the windshield allow at least 70% VLT (C.R.S. 42-4-227).
AS-1 strip: The thin band across the top of the windshield, marked on the inside of the glass by an “AS-1” designation. Width varies by manufacturer but is typically 4–6 inches deep.
Sun Belt deep dive
The hot-climate states — AZ, NV, TX, FL, southern CA — are where heat-driven tint demand is highest. Three of the four (AZ, NV, TX) permit unlimited darkness on rear glass, which lets Sun Belt drivers maximize heat rejection where it matters. California is the outlier with the strictest front-side rule in the country (70% VLT) but unlimited rear darkness.
Florida runs 28% VLT on the front sides and 15% on the rear sides and back glass. For a city-level breakdown, see our Florida window tint law guide for Coral Springs drivers.
The Sun Belt pairing strategy: 70% VLT (any grade) on the windshield for UV/IR without darkening, Ceramic Ultimate Plus at the legal cap on front sides, Ceramic Ultimate Plus or Ceramic Plus (Better) at the darkest legal VLT on rear sides and back glass.
Strictest vs most permissive states
Strictest: New Jersey is the only state where any front-side tint is illegal at all. California, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Delaware all require 70%+ VLT on front sides — essentially clear film. Michigan permits only a 4-inch strip on the fronts; the rest of the window must be uncovered glass.
Most permissive: New Mexico, Mississippi, and Wyoming all allow under 30% VLT on all four windows. Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Utah, and Maine allow unlimited rear darkness with relatively forgiving front-side caps (25%–43%).
Windshield rules
Every state regulates the windshield separately and almost universally restricts non-clear film. The most common rule: a 4–6 inch strip across the top of the glass at any VLT, with the rest of the windshield clear. A few states (ND, parts of NY) allow full-windshield film at 70% VLT or higher. Polar Tint 70% VLT is the right pick where full-windshield film is legal — UV and IR protection without darkening the driver’s view.
How Polar Tint handles this
Every Polar Tint location knows the law in its state and the immediate neighboring states. When you book, the shop confirms the legal limit, walks you through your options, installs the look you want, and provides an install receipt that documents the VLT at install.
Medical exemptions
Every state allows darker-than-legal tint with documented medical justification. Common qualifying conditions:
- Lupus (UV-induced systemic flare)
- Photosensitive porphyria
- Severe photophobia (often post-concussion or post-eye-surgery)
- History of melanoma or recurrent skin cancer
- Documented severe migraine triggered by direct light
Each state has its own application form, generally requiring a licensed physician’s diagnosis letter. Approval times range from 2 to 8 weeks. Your local Polar Tint can point you to your state’s form and install the exempted VLT once approval is in hand.
FAQs
General window tint law questions
What is VLT, and how does it determine whether window tint is legal?
Do all states have the same window tint laws?
What is a typical legal front-window tint percentage across most states?
Are there medical exemptions for window tint darkness in every state?
Does the windshield follow the same tint rule as the side windows?
State-specific edge cases
Do tint laws apply to factory-tinted glass?
Can I use my home-state tint legally if I drive into a stricter state?
Are commercial vehicles allowed darker tint?
Do tint laws apply at night or only during the day?
What if I want to change my tint after install?
Are tint laws stricter for new drivers or teens?
Can my insurance company deny a claim because of illegal tint?
Does the law differ for SUVs and trucks vs sedans?
Is Polar Tint open in Arizona yet?
Know your state law. Walk into your local Polar Tint.
Every Polar Tint location knows the rule in its state and installs the darkest legal grade for your vehicle.
Find your state's Polar Tint.
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