If you own a car, likely, you will likely eventually search for car modifications you can do to improve the parts and performance of your vehicle. And if you check the net, you will most probably encounter car window tinting.
Window tinting is one of the most known and commonly used car upgrades today. Its popularity has skyrocketed as more and more people have started to have their windows tinted. And it’s demand is rightfully so, as this thin layer of films has done wonders for many car owners.
Window tints are made out of a special polyester material designed to protect car owners from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. Apart from this, window tints can also provide an extra layer of privacy, security, and aesthetics to your vehicle.
While window tints have served their purpose well, there is one possible drawback that causes concern not only for car owners themselves but also for the authorities, and that is the poor visibility for drivers. That is why authorities have mandated laws on how much tinting is allowed for your windows.
Window Tinting Laws in the US
There are about fifty states in the US, and each state has its own window tinting laws. But before you dive into these US window tinting laws, you must first understand how VLT or Visual Light Transmission works.
VLT is the percentage unit that describes how much light the lens will allow through your eyes. If the VLT is on a higher percentage, that means more light will pass through. On the other hand, a lower VLT percentage means less light can go through.
In window tinting law, each state has different VLT percentages to follow. Among those states, New York and Iowa have the strictest window tinting laws. For Iowa, the law requires 70% for the front side windows and any tint for the backside and rear windows. New York also requires the same percentage. They require 70% VLT on all windows except the rear.
To know more about the laws for each state, you may check this chart from www.windowtintlaws.us.
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Windows | Windshield |
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6 inches |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% | 5 inches |
| Arizona | 33% | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Arkanas | 25% | 25% | 10% | 5 inches |
| California | 70% | ANY | ANY | 4 inches |
| Colorado | 70% | ANY | ANY | 4 inches |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | ANY | non-reflective tint above the as-1 line |
| Delaware | 70% | ANY | ANY | non-reflective tint above the as-1 line |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | tinting allowed by the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% | 6 inches |
| Hawaii | 35% | 35% | 35% | No inch requirements must allow 70% of light |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% | tinting allowed the of the manufacturer’s as-line |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% | 30% | tinting allowed by the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Lowa | 70% | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% | 12% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Maine | 35% | ANY | ANY | 4 inches |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches |
| Michigan | ANY | ANY | ANY | 4 inches |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% | ILLEGAL |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Missouri | 35% | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches or as-1line, whichever comes first |
| Nevada | 35% | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| New Hampshire | ILLEGAL | 35% | 35% | 6 inches |
| New Jersey | ILLEGAL | ANY | ANY | ILLEGAL |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% | 5 inches or as-1line, whichever comes first |
| New York | 70% | 70% | ANY | 6 inches |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| North Dakota | 50% | ANY | ANY | no more than 70% |
| Ohio | 50% | ANY | ANY | no more than 70% |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% | 5 inches or as-1line, whicever comes first |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 inches |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | ILLEGAL |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Texas | 25% | 25% | ANY | 5 inches or as-1line, whichever comes first |
| Utah | 43% | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Vermont | ILLEGAL | ANY | ANY | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% | 6 inches |
| Washington D.C. | 70% | 50% | 50% | 5 inches or as-1line, whichever comes first |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% | 5 inches |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | tinting allowed to the top of the manufacturer’s as-1 line |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% | 5 inches or as-1line, whichever comes first |
Non-compliance with these laws will certainly get you a ticket. The fine for violating these laws can range from around $25 to over $200. So, make sure that you are aware of the tinting laws in your state before your tint installation.
Where to Find the Best Window Tints?
Looking for the best window tint shop can be pretty difficult, given that many companies are offering almost the same products. But to ensure the quality of your window tints, you have to go to a reliable window tint company like KEPLER Window Films and Coatings.
KEPLER is a window tint company comprised of professionals dedicated to providing you with nothing but the best quality of products and services. To know more about us and what we do, you can visit our website at www.kepler-dealer.com.
Sources:
https://www.keatingfirmlaw.com/post/legal-limit-for-window-tint
https://www.raynofilm.com/blog/automotive-window-tint-laws-by-state
