Window tint laws by state
Legal light transmission (VLT) limits per window, from each state's statute, for the 50 states we have checked so far. Open a state for the windshield rule, reflectivity, exemptions and the source.
| State | Front side | Back side | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32% | 32% |
| Alaska | 70% | 40% | 40% |
| Arizona | 33% | Any | Any |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% | 10% |
| California | 70% | Any | Any |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% | Any |
| Delaware | 50% | Any | Any |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% | 32% |
| Hawaii | 35% | Any | Any |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% | 35% |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Indiana | 30% | Any | 30% |
| Iowa | 50% | Any | Any |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% | 18% |
| Louisiana | 25% | 25% | 12% |
| Maine | 35% | Any | Any |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Michigan | No film | Any | Any |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% | 28% |
| Missouri | 35% | Any | Any |
| Montana | 24% | 14% | 14% |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% | 20% |
| Nevada | 35% | Any | Any |
| New Hampshire | 70% | 35% | 35% |
| New Jersey | No film | Any | Any |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| New York | 70% | 70% | Any |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| North Dakota | 35% | Any | Any |
| Ohio | 50% | Any | Any |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% | 20% |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Texas | 25% | Any | Any |
| Utah | 35% | Any | Any |
| Vermont | 70% | Any | Any |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% |
| Washington | 24% | 24% | 24% |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% | 28% |
Minimum light transmission allowed, film and glass together, for passenger cars. "Any" means the statute sets no minimum there; "No film" means aftermarket film is not allowed on that glass; "—" means we have not confirmed that rule yet. The SUV, truck and van column is for windows behind the driver where the statute treats those vehicles differently (back side / rear when the two differ). Each state page has the windshield rule, reflectivity and color limits, the exemption procedure, the statute and the date we checked it.
How to read the table
Every figure is a minimum visible light transmission, abbreviated VLT: the share of light that must still pass through the finished window. A state that allows 35% on front side windows is stricter than one that allows 20%. Film and glass are measured together, so the film you buy has to leave headroom for the glass it goes on.
Windshields are treated separately. Federal glass rules keep a new windshield at 70% VLT or better, and states only decide where a shade strip may sit, usually above the AS-1 marking printed near the top of the glass. Reflective films, specific colors and medical exemptions vary by state and are on each state's page.
Common questions
What does VLT mean on a tint law chart?
Visible light transmission: the share of light that passes through the window, glass and film together. A 35% limit means the finished window must let at least 35% of light through; lower numbers are darker.
Why is the windshield rule a line instead of a percentage?
Federal standard FMVSS 205 already requires the windshield of a new car to transmit at least 70% of light, so states only decide where a tint strip may go, usually above the AS-1 line marked on the glass or within the top few inches.
Does a film labeled 35% give a legal 35% window?
Usually not. Factory glass blocks some light on its own, so film and glass together end up darker than the film alone. Installers meter the finished window; so do officers.
Do these limits apply to SUVs and trucks?
Often not behind the driver. Many states let multipurpose vehicles run darker rear side and back windows than sedans; each state page lists the difference where one exists.