Know before you tint
Window Tint Laws 2026:
Window Tint Laws 2026:
Washington & Colorado
Plus Oregon, Texas and all 50 states · Updated by the Car Toys tint team
Quick answer: The darkest legal window tint on a passenger car is 24% VLT in Washington and 27% VLT in Colorado for the front side, back side and rear windows. In Oregon the limit is 35%, and in Texas the front side windows must be 25% or lighter. A 35% film is legal on the front side windows in all four states.
Going darker is easy. Staying legal takes know-how. Here is exactly what Washington and Colorado allow, window by window, so the shade you pick is the shade you get to keep. Every Car Toys tint install is cut, applied and checked to meet the law in the state where your vehicle is registered.
Washington
24%VLT min.
Side and rear windows. Reflectance 35% or less.
Colorado
27%VLT min.
Side and rear windows. No metallic or mirrored film.
Tint 101
What does VLT % mean?
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission: the percentage of outside light that makes it through your window. The lower the number, the darker the tint. A 70% film is barely noticeable, while 5% ("limo tint") is close to blacked out.
5%
15%
20%
24%
27%
35%
50%
70%
✓ Legal ✕ Not legal
Shown for front side windows on a standard passenger car. The legal number is the final reading through film and glass together, so the film label alone does not tell the whole story. Swatches are for illustration; real tint looks different in person.
Window by window
Washington vs. Colorado tint laws at a glance
Limits below apply to passenger vehicles registered in each state. Washington rules come from RCW 46.37.430; Colorado rules come from C.R.S. 42-4-227.
| Rule | Washington | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows | 24% VLT or lighter | 27% VLT or lighter |
| Back side windows | 24% VLT or lighterTrucks, SUVs, vans and other multipurpose vehicles may go darker behind the driver (reflectance 35% or less, dual side mirrors). | 27% VLT or lighterMay go darker only if the front side windows and windshield let in at least 70% of light. |
| Rear window | 24% VLT or lighterSame truck / SUV / van exception as back side windows. | 27% VLT or lighterSame 70% front-window condition as back side windows. |
| Windshield | Tint allowed on the top 6 inches, not into the AS-1 area. Clear UV-blocking film is allowed on the full windshield. | Windshield must let in at least 70% of light. A strip is allowed on the top 4 inches; not red or amber, no glare. |
| Reflective / mirror film | Reflectance 35% or less. Mirror-finish film not allowed. | No metallic or mirrored appearance on any window. |
| Restricted colors | No red, gold, yellow or black film. | Windshield strip may not be red or amber. |
| Other rules | Only one layer of film per window. Left and right outside mirrors required. Spray-on or brush-on tint not allowed. | Factory-tinted glass that meets federal standards is allowed. |
| Medical exemption | Yes. Darker tint allowed with written verification from a licensed physician. | No. The statute has no medical exemption. A doctor's note does not change the 27% limit. |
| Installer certification | Professional installers must place a compliance sticker on the driver's door post. | No sticker required by statute. |
| Penalty | Traffic infraction for driving with illegal tint. | Class B traffic infraction for the driver; Class A traffic infraction for whoever installs illegal tint. |
The quick takeaway: Washington allows slightly darker film (24%) than Colorado (27%). Colorado has no medical exemption, and its "darker in back" option only works if the front windows stay nearly clear. If you split time between the two states, a 27%-or-lighter install keeps you legal in both.
Tint you can trust
How Car Toys keeps you compliant
Your glass already has some tint from the factory. Put a 24% film on top of it and the window can read darker than 24%. That is why we pick your shade around the final reading, not just the label on the roll.
1
We check your glass
Factory glass and factory privacy glass vary by vehicle. We account for what is already there before recommending a film.
2
We match film to the law
We recommend 3M and Protint films in dyed, carbon or ceramic, in a shade that stays legal in the state where your vehicle is registered.
3
We install it right
Computer-cut patterns, hand installs by certified Car Toys techs, and a lifetime installation guarantee on ceramic tint.
Good to know
Special situations
SUVs, trucks and vans
Most come with factory privacy glass in back, and that glass is legal as delivered. Many owners tint only the two front windows to match. In Washington, these vehicles can also add darker film behind the driver.
Moving between WA and CO
Tint that is legal in Washington at 24% to 26% will not pass in Colorado once you register there. If a move is likely, ask us about a shade that works in both states.
Medical needs
In Washington, a licensed physician's written verification allows darker tint. Colorado offers no exemption, but every film we install blocks UV rays at any shade, including clear films.
Windshield heat and glare
You can't tint the full windshield dark in either state. A sun strip across the top and a clear heat-rejecting ceramic film (where allowed) cut glare and heat without breaking the rules.
Road trip or moving?
Window tint laws in all 50 states
Washington and Colorado are home base, but tint rules change at every state line. Here is the minimum VLT for passenger vehicles in every state, plus who allows a medical exemption. Tap a region to expand it.
Neighbors of Washington
Washington 24%Oregon 35%Idaho 35%
Neighbors of Colorado
Colorado 27%Wyoming 28%Utah 35%New Mexico 20%Arizona 33%Nebraska 35%Kansas 35%Oklahoma 25%
Front side window minimums. A 35% install is legal on the front sides in WA, CO and every neighbor listed here.
West 13 states
| State | Front side | Back side | Rear window | Medical exemption | AlaskaAS 28.35.155 | 70% | 40% | 40% | Yes | ArizonaA.R.S. 28-959.01 | 33% | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | CaliforniaCal. Veh. Code 26708 | 70% (clear film only) | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Car Toys stateC.R.S. 42-4-227 | 27% | 27%* | 27%* | No | HawaiiHRS 291-21.5 | 35% | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | No | IdahoIdaho Code 49-944 | 35% | 20% | 35% | Yes | MontanaMCA 61-9-405 | 24% | 14% cars; any SUVs/vans | 14% cars; any SUVs/vans | Yes | NevadaNRS 484D.440 | 35% | Any (dual mirrors) | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes (permit) | New MexicoNMSA 66-3-846.1 | 20% | 20%; SUVs exempt | 20%; SUVs exempt | Yes |
| Oregon Car Toys stateORS 815.221 | 35% | 35%; SUVs/pickups may go darker | 35%; SUVs/pickups may go darker | Yes | UtahUtah Code 41-6a-1635 | 35% | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | No |
| Washington Car Toys stateRCW 46.37.430 | 24% | 24% cars; SUVs/trucks may go darker | 24% cars; SUVs/trucks may go darker | Yes | WyomingWyo. Stat. 31-5-962 | 28% | 28% cars; any SUVs/vans | 28% cars; any SUVs/vans | Yes |
Midwest 12 states
| State | Front side | Back side | Rear window | Medical exemption | Illinois625 ILCS 5/12-503 | 35% or 50%** | 30%–35%** | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | IndianaIC 9-19-19-4 | 30% | Not regulated | 30% | Yes | IowaIowa Code 321.438 | 50% (since 7/1/2026) | Any | Any | No | KansasK.S.A. 8-1749a | 35% | 35% | 35% | Clear UV film only | MichiganMCL 257.709 | Top 4 in. only | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | MinnesotaMinn. Stat. 169.71 | 50% | 50% (vans exempt) | 50% (pickups/vans exempt) | Yes | MissouriRSMo 307.173 | 35% | Any | Any | Yes | NebraskaNeb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,257 | 35% | 20% cars; any SUVs/vans | 20% cars; any SUVs/vans | No | North DakotaN.D.C.C. 39-21-39 | 35% (since 8/1/2025) | Any (dual mirrors) | Any (dual mirrors) | No | OhioORC 4513.241 | 50% | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | South DakotaSDCL 32-15-2.4 | 35% | 20% | 20% | No | WisconsinWis. Stat. 347.43 | 50% | 35% | 35% | Yes |
|---|
South 16 states
| State | Front side | Back side | Rear window | Medical exemption | AlabamaAla. Code 32-5C-2 | 32% | 32% (factory privacy glass OK) | 32% (factory privacy glass OK) | Yes | ArkansasArk. Code 27-37-306 | 25% | 25% cars; 10% SUVs/trucks | 10% | Yes | Delaware21 Del. C. 4313 | 50% | Any | Any | Yes | FloridaFla. Stat. 316.2953 | 28% | 15% cars; 6% SUVs/vans | 15% cars; 6% SUVs/vans | Yes | GeorgiaO.C.G.A. 40-8-73.1 | 28% (since 7/1/2026) | 15%; SUVs exempt | 15%; SUVs exempt | Yes | KentuckyKRS 189.110 | 35% | 18% cars; 8% SUVs/vans | 18% cars; 8% SUVs/vans | No | LouisianaLa. R.S. 32:361.1 | 25% (since 8/1/2025) | 25%; SUVs exempt | 12% | Yes | MarylandMd. Transp. 22-406 | 35% | 35% cars; any SUVs/vans | 35% cars; any SUVs/vans | Yes | MississippiMiss. Code 63-7-59 | 28% | 28% cars; SUVs/trucks federal std. | 28% cars; SUVs/trucks federal std. | Yes | North CarolinaN.C.G.S. 20-127 | 35% | 35% cars; SUVs/vans exempt | 35% cars; SUVs/vans exempt | Yes | Oklahoma47 O.S. 12-422 | 25% | 25% | 25% | Yes | South CarolinaS.C. Code 56-5-5015 | 27% | 27% cars/pickups; SUVs/vans exempt | 27% | Yes | TennesseeTenn. Code 55-9-107 | 35% | 35% | 35% | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Car Toys stateTex. Transp. Code 547.613 | 25% | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | VirginiaVa. Code 46.2-1052 | 50% | 35% cars; SUVs/pickups exempt | 35% cars; SUVs/pickups exempt | Yes | West VirginiaW. Va. Code 17C-15-36a | 35% | 35% | 35% | Yes |
Northeast 9 states
| State | Front side | Back side | Rear window | Medical exemption | ConnecticutConn. Gen. Stat. 14-99g | 35% | 35% cars; any SUVs/vans | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | Maine29-A M.R.S. 1916 | 35% | Any (dual mirrors) | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | MassachusettsM.G.L. c.90 9D | 35% | 35% | 35% | Yes | New HampshireRSA 266:58-a | 70% | 35% | 35% | Yes (waiver) | New JerseyN.J.S.A. 39:3-74 | No tint (clear film only) | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | New YorkN.Y. VTL 375(12-a) | 70% | 70% cars; SUVs not limited | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | Pennsylvania75 Pa.C.S. 4524 | 70% | 70% cars; no limit SUVs/trucks | 70% cars; no limit SUVs/trucks | Yes | Rhode IslandR.I. Gen. Laws 31-23.3-4 | 70% | 70% cars; SUVs/trucks any (dual mirrors) | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes | Vermont23 V.S.A. 1125 | No tint (clear film only) | Any | Any (dual mirrors) | Yes |
|---|
Percentages are the minimum visible light transmission (film and glass combined) for passenger vehicles. "Any" means no darkness limit; "dual mirrors" means left and right outside mirrors are required. "SUVs" includes vans, trucks and other multipurpose vehicles as each state defines them. Many states allow a small metering tolerance.
* Colorado: windows behind the driver may go darker only if the front side windows and windshield let in at least 70% of light.
** Illinois: front sides may be 35% when every window behind the driver is at least 35%, or 50% when those windows are at least 30%.
Tint law FAQ
Answers from our tint experts
What is the darkest legal tint in Washington?
24% VLT on all side and rear windows of a passenger car, with reflectance of 35% or less. Trucks, SUVs, vans and other multipurpose vehicles may go darker on windows behind the driver as long as they have left and right outside mirrors.
What is the darkest legal tint in Colorado?
27% VLT on the side and rear windows. Windows behind the driver can go darker only if the front side windows and the windshield let in at least 70% of light, which in practice means leaving the front windows nearly clear.
Is 20% tint legal in Washington or Colorado?
Not on the front side windows of a passenger car in either state. 20% is darker than Washington's 24% limit and Colorado's 27% limit. It can be legal behind the driver on qualifying trucks, SUVs and vans in Washington, or behind the driver in Colorado if the front windows and windshield stay at 70% or lighter.
Is 35% tint legal?
Yes. 35% film is lighter than both states' limits, and it is one of our most popular choices for a clean look that stays legal. Remember that the final reading includes your factory glass, so we confirm the result on your vehicle.
Can I tint my windshield?
Only a strip across the top: up to 6 inches in Washington (not into the AS-1 area) and up to 4 inches in Colorado. Washington also allows clear UV-blocking film on the full windshield. Colorado requires the windshield to let in at least 70% of light.
Is my factory privacy glass legal?
Yes. Both states allow glass that was tinted at the factory to federal standards. If you add film on top of factory-tinted front windows, the combined reading must still meet the limit.
Can I get a medical exemption for darker tint?
In Washington, yes. A written verification from a licensed physician allows darker tint on all windows and the top 6 inches of the windshield. Keep it in the vehicle. Colorado's tint law has no medical exemption.
What happens if my tint is too dark?
In Washington it is a traffic infraction. In Colorado it is a Class B traffic infraction for the driver, and installing illegal tint is a Class A traffic infraction. You may also have to remove the film. A legal install from the start avoids both the ticket and the cost of redoing it.
What is the legal tint limit in Oregon?
35% VLT on the front side windows of a passenger car, measured through film and glass together. Back side and rear windows on cars must also be 35%, while SUVs, vans and pickups may go darker behind the driver. Oregon allows a medical exemption with a physician statement (ORS 815.221).
What is the legal tint limit in Texas?
25% VLT on the front side windows. Texas sets no darkness limit for the back side windows, and the rear window can be any darkness if the vehicle has left and right outside mirrors. A medical exemption is available (Tex. Transp. Code 547.613).
I have out-of-state plates. Which law applies?
Colorado's 27% rule is written for vehicles registered in Colorado. Washington's rule applies to vehicles driven on Washington roads. If you are new to either state, plan to meet its limits once you register there. Moving somewhere else? Check that state in the 50-state table above. Ask your local Car Toys tint expert if you are unsure.
Stores across WA, CO, OR & TX
Get the look. Keep it legal.
See your shade on your exact vehicle with our Visual Tinter, then book with a certified Car Toys tint tech. Same-day appointments are often available. Want to compare films and packages first? Explore Car Toys window tint services.
Sources: Washington RCW 46.37.430 (Safety glazing; sunscreening or coloring). Colorado C.R.S. 42-4-227 (Windows unobstructed; certain materials prohibited).
Other states: State statutes are listed under each state name in the 50-state table, summarized from PlainStatute state tint summaries and RecordingLaw. Checked against official sources for recent changes: Iowa DOT, Georgia HB 1161, Delaware Code 21-4313, New Hampshire DMV, Nevada NAC 484D, K.S.A. 8-1749a, NMSA 66-3-846.1 and Alabama ALEA.
Last reviewed . This page is a general guide, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current statute or your local law enforcement agency for the final word. Car Toys tint installers will recommend a compliant film for your vehicle.
