Window Tint Laws: State-Specific Information
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016
The term "window tint" refers to the shading often added to windshields and car windows for use as a sunscreen or purely for aesthetic reasons. All states and the District of Columbia have window tint laws that limit the use of tinting, many offering exemptions for those with a medical need. Links to state laws and guidelines for window tinting are listed below.
| Alabama | Alabama Code Title 32, Chapter 5C: Window tinting and medical exceptions |
| Alaska | Alaska Statutes §28.05.081: Vehicle equipment standards |
| Arizona | Arizona Revised Statutes §28-959.01: Materials on windows or windshield |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Code §27-37-306: Light transmission levels for the tinting of motor vehicle windows |
| California | California Vehicle Code §26708: Material obstructing or reducing driver's view California Vehicle Code §26708.5: Transparent materials |
| Colorado | Colorado Revised Statutes §42-4-227: Windows unobstructed; certain materials prohibited |
| Connecticut | Gen. Statutes of Connecticut Title 13b, Ch. 246, §14-99g: Tinted or reflectorized windows; obstruction of view prohibited Quick Reference on Tinted Windows (Connecticut DMV) |
| Delaware | Delaware Code Title 21, §4313: Safety glass; window tinting; commercial window tinting |
District of Columbia |
Code of the District of Columbia §50–2207.02: Tinted windows prohibited |
| Florida | Florida Statutes §316.2951 through 316.2956: Windshields and windows |
| Georgia | Georgia Code §40-8-73.1: Affixing of materials which reduce light transmission or increase light reflectance through windows Understanding Window Tint Laws (Georgia.gov) |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-21.5: Regulation of motor vehicle sun-screening devices; penalty |
| Idaho | Idaho Statutes §49-944: Standards for windshields and windows of motor vehicles; prohibited acts; penalty |
| Illinois | Illinois Vehicle Code Chapter 12, Article V: Glass, windshields, and mirrors |
| Indiana | Indiana Code Title 9, Article 19, Ch. 19: Windows and windshield wipers |
| Iowa | Iowa Code Title VIII, Subtitle II, §321.438: Windshields and windows |
| Kansas | Kansas Statutes §8-1749a through 8-1749c: One-way glass and sun-screening devices |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Revised Statutes §189.110: Unobstructed windshields |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Revised Statutes §32:361.1: View outward or inward through windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited |
| Maine | Maine Statutes Title 29A, §1916: Reflective and tinted glass |
| Maryland | Maryland Code §22-406: Safety glazing material in motor vehicles |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, §9D: Windshields and windows obscured by non-transparent materials |
| Michigan | Michigan Vehicle Code §257.709: Windshields and windows; prohibitions |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Statutes §169.71: Windshield |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Code §63-7-59: Windows and window glass generally |
| Missouri | Missouri Window Tinting Law and How to Apply for a Permit (Mo. Hwy. Patrol) |
| Montana | Montana Code §61-9-429: Window tinting and sunscreening |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Revised Statutes §60-6, 257: Windshields and windows; tinting; sun-screening |
| Nevada | Nevada Revised Statutes §484.6195: Restrictions on tinting of windshield or side or rear window |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Statutes §266:58-a: Tinted glass |
| New Jersey | Sunscreening for Medical Reasons (New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission) |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Statutes §66-3-846.1 : Sun screening material on windshields and windows |
| New York | New York Vehicle and Traffic Code, Article 9, §375.12-a: Safety glass and light transmittance; medical exemptions |
| North Carolina | Window Tinting (North Carolina DMV) |
| North Dakota | What tint is allowed on my windows? (North Dakota DMV, FAQs) |
| Ohio | Ohio Revised Code §4513.241: Using tinted glass and other vision obscuring materials |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Statutes §47-12-422: Restrictions on use of glass coating materials or sunscreening devices on windshields and windows (look under Title 47) |
| Oregon | Oregon Vehicle Code §815.221: Tinting; authorized and prohibited materials; certificate |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Code, Title §75 4524: Windshield obstructions and wipers |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island General Laws Ch. 31-23.3: Non-transparent windshields and windows |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Code §56-5-5015: Sunscreen devices |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Codified Laws §32-15-1 through §32-15-15: Safety glass, non-transparent material on window prohibited |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Code §55-9-107: Motor vehicle windows with tinting, reflecting, or sunscreen material |
| Texas | Window Tinting Standards (Texas Dept. of Public Safety) |
| Utah | Can I have tinting on the windows of my vehicle? (Utah Highway Patrol, Equipment Issues FAQs) |
| Vermont | Vermont Statutes Title 23, §1125: Obstructing windshields |
| Virginia | Code of Virginia §46.2-1053: Equipping certain motor vehicles Vehicle Sun-Shading Medical Authorization (Virginia DMV) |
| Washington | Revised Code of Washington §46.37.430: Safety glazing -- Sunscreening or coloring |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Code Article 17C, Ch. 15, §17C-15-36a: Sun-screening devices; penalty |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Statutes §347.43: Safety glass |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Statutes §31-5-962: Sunscreening devices |
Need Help with a Traffic Issue? Contact a Local Attorney
While traffic tickets and citations typically are handled by the individual driver, each situation is unique and there may be times where the help of lawyer can prevent license suspension or other setbacks. Find a traffic law attorney near you if you need additional help.
Next Steps
Contact a qualified traffic ticket attorney to help you get the best result possible.