Window Tint Laws by State
Window tint darkness is measured by Visible Light Transmission (VLT) — the percentage of light that passes through the film. A lower VLT percentage means darker tint. For example, 5% VLT (often called “limo tint”) is very dark, while 70% VLT is nearly clear. Each state sets its own legal limits for how dark you can tint each window on your vehicle.
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% VLT | 32% VLT | 32% VLT |
| Alaska | 70% VLT | 40% VLT | 40% VLT |
| Arizona | 33% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Arkansas | 25% VLT | 25% VLT | 10% VLT |
| California | 70% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Colorado | 27% VLT | 27% VLT | 27% VLT |
| Connecticut | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | Any darkness allowed |
| Delaware | 70% VLT | 70% VLT | 70% VLT |
| Florida | 28% VLT | 15% VLT | 15% VLT |
| Georgia | 32% VLT | 32% VLT | 32% VLT |
| Hawaii | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Idaho | 35% VLT | 20% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Illinois | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Indiana | 30% VLT | 30% VLT | 30% VLT |
| Iowa | 70% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Kansas | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Kentucky | 35% VLT | 18% VLT | 18% VLT |
| Louisiana | 40% VLT | 25% VLT | 12% VLT |
| Maine | 35% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Maryland | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Massachusetts | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Michigan | Any darkness allowed (must not be more reflective than a standard window) | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Minnesota | 50% VLT | 50% VLT | 50% VLT |
| Mississippi | 28% VLT | 28% VLT | 28% VLT |
| Missouri | 35% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Montana | 24% VLT | 14% VLT | 14% VLT |
| Nebraska | 35% VLT | 20% VLT | 20% VLT |
| Nevada | 35% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| New Hampshire | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| New Jersey | No aftermarket tint allowed (must be fully transparent) | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| New Mexico | 20% VLT | 20% VLT | 20% VLT |
| New York | 70% VLT | 70% VLT | Any darkness allowed |
| North Carolina | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| North Dakota | 50% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Ohio | 50% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Oklahoma | 25% VLT | 25% VLT | 25% VLT |
| Oregon | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Pennsylvania | 70% VLT | 70% VLT | 70% VLT |
| Rhode Island | 70% VLT | 70% VLT | 70% VLT |
| South Carolina | 27% VLT | 27% VLT | 27% VLT |
| South Dakota | 35% VLT | 20% VLT | 20% VLT |
| Tennessee | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Texas | 25% VLT | 25% VLT | Any darkness allowed |
| Utah | 43% VLT | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Vermont | No aftermarket tint allowed (must allow minimum 32% VLT with factory tint) | Any darkness allowed | Any darkness allowed |
| Virginia | 50% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Washington | 24% VLT | 24% VLT | 24% VLT |
| West Virginia | 35% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Wisconsin | 50% VLT | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Wyoming | 28% VLT | 28% VLT | 28% VLT |
Alabama
ALFront: 32% VLT · Back: 32% VLT
Alaska
AKFront: 70% VLT · Back: 40% VLT
Arizona
AZFront: 33% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Arkansas
ARFront: 25% VLT · Back: 25% VLT
California
CAFront: 70% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Colorado
COFront: 27% VLT · Back: 27% VLT
Connecticut
CTFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Delaware
DEFront: 70% VLT · Back: 70% VLT
Florida
FLFront: 28% VLT · Back: 15% VLT
Georgia
GAFront: 32% VLT · Back: 32% VLT
Hawaii
HIFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Idaho
IDFront: 35% VLT · Back: 20% VLT
Illinois
ILFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Indiana
INFront: 30% VLT · Back: 30% VLT
Iowa
IAFront: 70% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Kansas
KSFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Kentucky
KYFront: 35% VLT · Back: 18% VLT
Louisiana
LAFront: 40% VLT · Back: 25% VLT
Maine
MEFront: 35% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Maryland
MDFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Massachusetts
MAFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Michigan
MIFront: Any darkness allowed (must not be more reflective than a standard window) · Back: Any darkness allowed
Minnesota
MNFront: 50% VLT · Back: 50% VLT
Mississippi
MSFront: 28% VLT · Back: 28% VLT
Missouri
MOFront: 35% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Montana
MTFront: 24% VLT · Back: 14% VLT
Nebraska
NEFront: 35% VLT · Back: 20% VLT
Nevada
NVFront: 35% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
New Hampshire
NHFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
New Jersey
NJFront: No aftermarket tint allowed (must be fully transparent) · Back: Any darkness allowed
New Mexico
NMFront: 20% VLT · Back: 20% VLT
New York
NYFront: 70% VLT · Back: 70% VLT
North Carolina
NCFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
North Dakota
NDFront: 50% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Ohio
OHFront: 50% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Oklahoma
OKFront: 25% VLT · Back: 25% VLT
Oregon
ORFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Pennsylvania
PAFront: 70% VLT · Back: 70% VLT
Rhode Island
RIFront: 70% VLT · Back: 70% VLT
South Carolina
SCFront: 27% VLT · Back: 27% VLT
South Dakota
SDFront: 35% VLT · Back: 20% VLT
Tennessee
TNFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Texas
TXFront: 25% VLT · Back: 25% VLT
Utah
UTFront: 43% VLT · Back: Any darkness allowed
Vermont
VTFront: No aftermarket tint allowed (must allow minimum 32% VLT with factory tint) · Back: Any darkness allowed
Virginia
VAFront: 50% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Washington
WAFront: 24% VLT · Back: 24% VLT
West Virginia
WVFront: 35% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Wisconsin
WIFront: 50% VLT · Back: 35% VLT
Wyoming
WYFront: 28% VLT · Back: 28% VLT
Why Window Tint Laws Matter
Window tint laws exist to balance driver safety with personal preference. Law enforcement needs to be able to see into vehicles during traffic stops, and drivers need adequate visibility, especially at night. Tint that is too dark on front windows can impair a driver's ability to see pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles in low-light conditions.
Understanding VLT Percentages
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. It measures the amount of visible light that passes through your window tint film. The higher the VLT percentage, the more light passes through (and the lighter the tint appears). Most states regulate the minimum VLT allowed on each window of your vehicle, with front side windows typically having stricter requirements than rear windows.
Medical Exemptions
Most states offer medical exemptions that allow darker tint than normally permitted. These exemptions typically require a written statement from a licensed physician and may need to be renewed periodically. If you have a medical condition that requires darker window tint, check your state's specific requirements for obtaining an exemption.
Tips for Staying Legal
- Always check your state's current tint laws before installation
- Use a reputable tint installer who knows local regulations
- Keep your tint receipt and certification sticker if required
- Remember that factory tint on rear windows is usually legal regardless of darkness
- If you travel between states, be aware that different laws may apply