Updated June 2026
Window tint laws vary by state and are enforced as a minimum combined VLT (Visible Light Transmission) — the percentage of light that passes through both the factory glass and any applied film together. Most states set front side window minimums between 25% and 70% VLT. Five states updated their limits between August 2025 and July 2026. A professional installer will measure combined VLT before installing any film; a kit bought online only tells you the film rating alone.
This is based on GrowLocal's research into top-ranking window tinting sites, cross-referenced with state DMV statutes current as of June 2026.
Below: a state-by-state VLT reference table, the 2025–2026 law changes, what a medical exemption actually covers, and why the installer matters as much as the state limit.
What does VLT actually mean — and why does combined VLT matter more than the film rating?
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. A 35% VLT window lets through 35% of available light. Lower number = darker tint. A 5% "limo tint" is nearly blacked out. A 70% film is barely visible.
Here is the part most posts skip: the film rating on the box is NOT the number law enforcement measures.
Factory automotive glass typically transmits 70–78% of light on its own. When a tint film is applied, the combined reading is lower than the film rating alone. The formula is:
Combined VLT = Film VLT × Glass VLT
So a 50% film on glass that already transmits 72% produces a combined VLT of roughly 36%. On glass that transmits only 70%, the same 50% film produces 35%. On factory glass at 68%, you're at 34% — potentially below the legal threshold in a 35%-minimum state.
A driver who buys a "35% film" and installs it themselves can still be cited for illegal tint. Officers use handheld VLT meters that clamp over the glass and measure the full assembly, not just the film. A certified professional installer measures combined VLT on your actual vehicle glass before cutting any film and installs the film weight that produces a legal combined reading. This is the single most important thing to understand before booking any tint job.
Key takeaway: Across GrowLocal's research into top-ranked window tinting shops, every professional installer uses a quote-driven process — not off-the-shelf kits — specifically because they configure the film to the vehicle's glass VLT. Across our research into local business websites, 92% of tint shops hide pricing entirely, routing customers to a quote call where combined VLT can be calculated before installation.
What are the front side window VLT limits in each state?
Front side windows (the driver and passenger windows) are the most strictly regulated window position in every state. The table below shows the minimum legal VLT for the front side windows — the number law enforcement meters will be compared against.
| State | Front Side Min VLT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | |
| Alaska | 70% | No colored tints; green, gray, bronze, or neutral smoke only |
| Arizona | 33% | |
| Arkansas | 25% | |
| California | 70% | Aftermarket film only on front sides; any darkness on rear |
| Colorado | 27% | No medical exemption available |
| Connecticut | 35% | |
| Delaware | No aftermarket film | Front sides factory glass only (medical exemption exists) |
| Florida | 28% | Dual side mirrors required if rear is dark |
| Georgia | 32% | |
| Hawaii | 35% | Red, yellow, amber, blue banned; roll-down required at stops |
| Idaho | 35% | |
| Illinois | 35% | Narrow medical exemption list |
| Indiana | 30% | |
| Iowa | 70% until July 1, 2026 → 50% | HF 766 signed May 2026; do not apply 50% before July 1 |
| Kansas | 35% | |
| Kentucky | 35% | |
| Louisiana | 25% | Lowered from 40% Aug 2025 |
| Maine | 35% | |
| Maryland | 35% | |
| Massachusetts | 35% | |
| Michigan | Top 4 inches only | Effectively no film on front sides |
| Minnesota | 50% | |
| Mississippi | 28% | |
| Missouri | 35% | |
| Montana | 24% | |
| Nebraska | 35% | |
| Nevada | 35% | |
| New Hampshire | 70% | |
| New Jersey | No aftermarket film | Factory glass only on front sides |
| New Mexico | 20% | Among the most permissive for front sides |
| New York | 70% | |
| North Carolina | 35% | Tint no longer checked at annual inspection (Dec 2025) |
| North Dakota | 35% | Lowered from 50% Aug 2025 under HB 1340 |
| Ohio | 50% | |
| Oklahoma | 25% | |
| Oregon | 35% combined | Strictest reflectivity rule: 13% |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | |
| Rhode Island | 70% | |
| South Carolina | 27% | |
| South Dakota | 35% | |
| Tennessee | 35% | |
| Texas | 25% | Combined VLT measured; any darkness on rear |
| Utah | 35% | Lowered from 43% May 2025 under HB 112 |
| Vermont | No aftermarket film | Front sides factory glass only |
| Virginia | 50% | |
| Washington | 24% | |
| West Virginia | 35% | |
| Wisconsin | 50% | |
| Wyoming | 28% |
Rear side and rear windows are almost always permitted darker — and many states impose no restriction at all on the rear if a vehicle has functional dual side mirrors. When in doubt, ask your installer; the rear limits vary widely even among neighboring states.
For a complete breakdown of rear window limits, reflectivity caps, and windshield strip rules by state, see the GrowLocal window tinting website guide which links to current DMV sources.
Which states changed their tint laws in 2025–2026?
Five states updated their limits in the 14 months before this post. If you had tint installed before these dates, have a professional check your combined VLT.
| State | Change | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | Front side minimum: 70% → 50% | July 1, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Front side minimum: 40% → 25% (more permissive) | August 1, 2025 |
| North Carolina | Annual inspection no longer includes tint check | December 1, 2025 |
| North Dakota | Front side minimum: 50% → 35% (more permissive) | August 1, 2025 |
| Utah | Front side minimum: 43% → 35% (more permissive) | May 7, 2025 |
Iowa note: Iowa's change is the most impactful for drivers. Under HF 766, signed May 2026, the front-side minimum drops from 70% to 50% — but the law does not take effect until July 1, 2026. Installing 50% film in Iowa before that date is still a violation.
North Carolina note: The inspection rule change (Session Law 2025-47) means your tint will no longer be flagged at an annual safety inspection. However, traffic-stop enforcement of tint limits remains in effect — the 35% front side minimum still applies.
Can I get a medical exemption for darker tint?
Most states allow a darker-than-standard tint for drivers or passengers with documented medical conditions requiring reduced sun exposure. Common qualifying conditions include lupus, melanoma, albinism, xeroderma pigmentosum, photosensitivity disorders, and in some states, traumatic brain injury.
The exemption process generally requires:
- A signed letter or certificate from a licensed physician (MD or DO), optometrist, or in some states an APRN or PA
- The certificate kept in the vehicle at all times while operating under the exemption
- Filing the certificate with the state in some jurisdictions (Florida requires FLHSMV Form HSMV 83390)
State-specific limits on exemptions to know:
- California — Medical tint must still meet a 35% VLT minimum and be neutral in color (gray, green, or smoke). Exemptions may not be used after dark.
- Kansas — Exemption covers only clear UV-blocking film of at least 78% VLT. No dark film allowed even with a medical need.
- Illinois — Narrowest exemption in the country: only lupus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, albinism, and light sensitivity from documented TBI qualify.
- Colorado — No medical exemption available for window tint.
- New Jersey, Delaware, Vermont — Generally no aftermarket film on front sides even with an exemption; confirm current state law before booking.
If you have a qualifying condition, bring your physician's documentation to your installer appointment. A professional shop can configure the film weight that meets both the exemption requirement and the specific VLT target for your state.
Why does the installer matter as much as the state limit?
State law sets the floor. Whether your tint actually hits it depends on who installs it.
A certified installer with an authorized brand relationship — XPEL, LLumar, SunTek, or 3M — uses a calibrated VLT meter to measure your vehicle's factory glass before any film is cut. They select the weight that produces a legal combined reading on your specific car and provide installation documentation useful at a traffic stop. A DIY kit gives you a film VLT number, not a combined VLT reading for your actual glass.
Across our research into top-ranked window tinting shops, every professional uses a quote-driven process where the pre-installation conversation covers vehicle make, state of registration, and any medical exemptions — because the combined VLT calculation depends on all three. When evaluating shops, look for brand certification logos on their website; see our window tinting website checklist for what that looks like. For film type decisions, see our ceramic tint vs. carbon tint guide.
If you run a tinting shop, publishing this type of legal education content is what separates shops that rank from shops that don't. See how GrowLocal builds content-led sites for local trades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Window Tint Laws
What is the legal tint in most states?
The most common front side window standard nationwide is 35% VLT, used by Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia, and several others. States like California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Alaska require 70% — effectively only the lightest films. A handful of states allow as dark as 20–25% on front sides.
Why did I get a ticket even though I bought a 35% film?
The film rating is not the same as the combined reading law enforcement measures. Factory glass transmits around 70–78% of light — when your 35% film is applied, the combined VLT may read 24–28% on a tint meter. If your state requires 35%, that is a violation even though the film itself is rated at 35%. A professional installer calculates the combined reading for your specific vehicle glass before selecting film.
Do I need to have my tint removed if I move to a stricter state?
Yes. Tint laws apply to the state of registration and operation. A 20% film that is legal in New Mexico is a violation in California. If you relocate, have a professional measure your current combined VLT against the new state's limits. Removal or adjustment may be required before you register the vehicle.
Does a medical exemption let me use any darkness of tint?
Not usually. Most states that allow medical exemptions still set a minimum VLT for exempted film — California requires at least 35% even with a medical need. Kansas restricts exemptions to clear UV-blocking film only. Illinois limits qualifying conditions to a short list. Always confirm the specific exemption rules with your state's DMV and bring documentation to your installer appointment.
Will my tint still be checked at a North Carolina inspection now?
No. As of December 1, 2025, North Carolina's annual safety inspection no longer includes a window tint check. However, traffic-stop enforcement still applies — a law enforcement officer can still cite you for tint that violates the state's 35% front-side minimum during a regular stop.
How do I find a tint shop that installs legal film by default?
Look for authorized dealer status with a named film brand: XPEL Certified, LLumar Select Pro, SunTek Authorized Dealer, or 3M Authorized Dealer. These certifications require shops to demonstrate professional equipment and standards, including combined VLT measurement before installation. A shop's website that lists its brand certifications is a reliable proxy for professional installation practice. Across GrowLocal's research into top window tinting shops, authorized brand partnerships were the most consistent differentiator between professional shops and budget alternatives.
Is 20% tint legal anywhere in the US?
Yes. New Mexico allows front side windows as dark as 20% VLT. Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas allow 25% on front side windows. Montana and Washington allow 24%. If you live in a permissive state but travel frequently to California, New York, or Pennsylvania, your legal tint may still draw a citation during out-of-state travel.