Vehicle Law · Window Tint

Window Tint Laws by State

The exact legal tint darkness (VLT %) for every window, state by state, with reflection limits, medical exemptions, and penalties, each cited to the official statute.

15 of 50 states published. We add states as each is reviewed against its official statute.

Strictest vs most lenient on front windows

Ranked by how much light the front side windows must let in.

Strictest front windows

More light required →

1CaliforniaNo darkening film

2MichiganTop strip only

3New York70% VLT min

4Pennsylvania70% VLT min

5Ohio50% VLT min

Most lenient front windows

Less light required →

1Washington24% VLT min

2Texas25% VLT min

3Colorado27% VLT min

4Florida28% VLT min

5Georgia32% VLT min

"No darkening film" and "top strip only" are stricter than any percentage; those states allow no aftermarket darkness on the front doors at all.

Pick your state

Front-window rule shown on each card; full rules inside.

Arizona

Front side33% VLT min

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute§28-959.01

CaliforniaDraft

No darkening film

Front sideNo darkening film

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute§§26708, 26708.2, 26708.5

Colorado

Front side27% VLT min

Back & rear27% · rear darker only if front ≥70%

Statute§42-4-227

Florida

Front side28% VLT min

Back & rear15% min

Statute§§316.2951–316.2957

Georgia

Front side32% VLT min

Back & rear32% min

Statute§40-8-73.1; DPS Rules 570-22

Illinois

two-option

Front side35% or 50% (two options)

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute625 ILCS 5/12-503

Michigan

Top strip only

Front sideTop strip only

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute§257.709

New York

Front side70% VLT min

Back & rear70% · rear darker only if dual side mirrors

Statute§375(12-a)

North Carolina

Front side35% VLT min

Back & rear35% min

Statute§20-127

Ohio

Front side50% VLT min

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute§4513.241; Ohio Admin. Code …

Pennsylvania

Front side70% VLT min

Back & rear70% min

Statute§4524(e); 67 Pa. Code Ch. 17…

TennesseeDraft

Front side35% VLT min

Back & rear35% min

Statute§55-9-107

Texas

Front side25% VLT min

Back & rearAny darkness

Statute§547.613

Virginia

Front side50% VLT min

Back & rear35% min

Statute§46.2-1052

Washington

Front side24% VLT min

Back & rear24% min

StatuteRCW 46.37.430(5)

How to read window tint law

Every state regulates tint by VLT (visible light transmission): the percentage of light a window lets through. A higher VLT means a lighter window, so "35%" is darker than "70%." States differ on four axes: the front-side minimum, whether windows behind the driver are free, the windshield strip (AS-1 line, a fixed inch count, or a seat-height line), and whether reflective or colored film is banned.

Police measure the installed glass (film plus factory glass combined) with a tint meter at the roadside. Several states write a tolerance or presumption into the law itself; where the statute is silent, we say so rather than invent one. Every figure on our state pages links to the official statute it comes from.