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 |
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