Window Tint Lawsby State: 2026 Complete Guide

Window tint laws vary dramatically by state. What is legal in Texas will get you a ticket in New Jersey. Here is the complete guide for 2026.

How Tint Darkness Is Measured

Tint darkness is measured by VLT (Visible Light Transmission) — the percentage of light that passes through the film. Lower VLT means darker tint:

• •5% VLT — "limo tint," very dark, barely see through
• •20% VLT — dark, popular for rear windows
• •35% VLT — medium, good balance of privacy and visibility
• •50% VLT — light, barely noticeable but blocks UV
• •70% VLT — very light, blocks heat and UV without changing appearance

State-by-State Guide

Most Permissive States (darkest tint allowed on front side windows)

• •Arizona: 33% front, any% rear
• •Arkansas: 25% front, 10% rear
• •Colorado: 27% front, any% rear
• •Florida: 28% front, 15% rear
• •Louisiana: 40% front, 25% rear
• •Mississippi: 28% front, any% rear
• •New Mexico: 20% front, any% rear
• •Oklahoma: 25% front, any% rear
• •South Carolina: 27% front, any% rear
• •Texas: 25% front, any% rear
• •Wyoming: 28% front, any% rear

Most Restrictive States

• •California: 70% front, any% rear
• •Illinois: 35% front, 35% rear
• •Michigan: 4" strip on windshield only, no front side tint
• •New Hampshire: No tint on windshield or front side windows
• •New Jersey: No tint on front side windows, any% rear
• •New York: 70% front, 70% rear
• •Vermont: No front side tint allowed
• •Washington DC: 70% front, 50% rear

Common Middle Ground (35% front)

Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Windshield Rules

Most states allow a tint strip on the top of the windshield (typically the top 4-6 inches or above the AS-1 line). Very few states allow full windshield tint.

Medical Exemptions

Most states offer medical exemptions for people with conditions that require protection from UV light (lupus, photosensitivity, etc.). The exemption process varies — usually requires a doctor note and sometimes a state application.

For Wrap and Tint Shops

Always check current state law before tinting a customer vehicle. Laws change, and YOU are responsible for compliance, not the customer. Keep a reference chart in your shop and update it annually.

Many shops add tint as a revenue stream alongside wraps. It is a natural upsell — customers getting a full wrap often want tint done at the same time.

Enforcement

Tint enforcement varies wildly. Some states actively pull over dark-tinted vehicles. Others rarely enforce unless combined with another stop. Regardless, always inform customers of the legal limits and let them make the decision.

The Bottom Line

When a customer asks for "the darkest you can go," know your state law. Going too dark creates liability for you and legal risk for them. The safest approach: tint to legal limits, offer ceramic film for maximum heat rejection at legal darkness levels, and document everything.