Vehicle Law · Window Tint
Window Tint Laws in New York
The exact legal darkness allowed on every window of your vehicle in New York, plus reflection limits, the medical exemption, and what a ticket costs.
How dark you can legally go
Visible-light transmission (VLT) allowed for each window.
Common tint shades, and whether they're legal here
What the shop sells, mapped to the New York limit.
| Film shade | Front side | Back side | Rear window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% (light) | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| 50% | Too dark | Too dark | Conditional |
| 35% (factory look) | Too dark | Too dark | Conditional |
| 20% | Too dark | Too dark | Conditional |
| 5% (limo) | Too dark | Too dark | Conditional |
The rear window may be darker than 70% only when the vehicle has side mirrors on both sides giving a clear view behind (§375(12-a)).
Film is sold by its own VLT, but police measure the installed darkness: the film combined with your factory glass. Ask the shop for the net, as-installed VLT before you buy.
The full rules, with the statute
Every limit and where it comes from in the code.
| Rule / window | Legal limit in New York | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Material below 70% only in the uppermost 6 inches of the windshield | §375(12-a) |
| Front side | At least 70% light transmittance | §375(12-a) |
| Back side | At least 70% for the listed passenger-car body types (station wagon, sedan, hardtop, coupe, hatchback, convertible) | §375(12-a) |
| Rear window | Any darkness with side mirrors on both sides; otherwise at least 70% | §375(12-a) |
| SUV / van rear | Not specified in the tint statute; §375(12-a) lists only passenger-car body types. | §375(12-a) |
| Reflection | Not specified in statute | §375(12-a) |
| Banned colors | Not specified in statute | §375(12-a) |
| Medical exemption | AllowedAvailable (details in the medical exemption section below). | §375(12-a); DMV form MV-80W |
| Meter tolerance | Not specified in statute | §375(12-a) |
Penalties & how it's enforced
What happens if your tint is too dark.
- (effective 2017-01-01): No 2025–2026 amendment to the 70% thresholds. The standing change is the 2017 addition of tint to the annual inspection.
The medical exemption: how to qualify
For drivers with a documented light-sensitivity condition.
What New York drivers get wrong
New York holds nearly every window to 70%, among the strictest fronts in the country, and, unusually, checks tint at the annual safety inspection, so illegal film is caught even without a traffic stop. The rear window is the one place darkness is allowed, and only when the car has both side mirrors.
Common questions
Will illegal tint fail inspection in New York?
Yes. Since January 1, 2017, tinted or shaded windows are examined during the annual motor vehicle inspection, and windows that block more than 30% of light must be corrected to pass.
How dark can I legally tint with a medical exemption in New York?
With an approved MV-80W exemption, front side windows may be tinted down to 20% VLT per DMV guidance. The application requires a statement from a NYS-licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner.
Is 35% tint legal in New York?
No. Front and rear side windows must allow at least 70% of light. Only the rear window may be darker, and only if the vehicle has side mirrors on both sides.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.