| Texas Tint Laws | |
|---|---|
| Front Windshield | Top 5 inches |
| Front Side Windows | 25% |
| Back Side Windows | No restrictions |
| Rear Windshield | No restrictions |
Quick summary: Texas tint laws allow front windshield tint only on top 5 inches or AS-1 line. Front side windows must have over 25% VLT. All windows behind driver can have any darkness.
Last updated on: . Confirmed accurate for 2026. Attorney verified
Texas tint laws primarily regulate the darkness, but also specify other rules and regulations you need to know about such as reflectiveness or color restrictions. All laws are explained further below.
Window Tint Darkness in Texas
Window tint darkness is measured in VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percent. VLT indicates how much light passes through both the film and the glass.
Drag the blue slider above to preview tint darkness. In most real world cases, applied tint will appear 10-20% darker compared to our tool.
See: VLT explained with chart and darkness examples
How dark can your window tint be in Texas?
Here's exactly how much VLT is allowed on your auto window tint in Texas (TX), categorized by passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
Tint darkness for passenger vehicles:
- Windshield: 25 VLT tint is allowed on top 5 inches (AS-1 line).
- Front side windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
- Back side windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
- Rear window: Any darkness can be used.
Passenger vehicles include: sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, hardtop and hatchback vehicles.
Tint darkness for multi-purpose vehicles (MPV):
- Windshield: 25 VLT tint is allowed on top 5 inches (AS-1 line).
- Front side windows: Must allow more than 25% of light in.
- Back side windows: Any darkness can be used.
- Rear window: Any darkness can be used.
Multi-purpose vehicles include: SUV, pickup, van, truck, RV, and minibus.
AS-1 line typically extends between 4 and 6 inches parallel to the top of your windshield. AS-1 designation line is typically marked by glass manufacturer on the top edge of your windshield.
Depending on vehicle, your AS-1 strip may already be tinted. In most states windshield tint must not have any reflectiveness, and illegal colors typically include blue and red.
Some state tint laws specify exact number of inches you are allowed to tint on front windshields. Other states define this windscreen area simply as an AS-1 line. Learn more about AS-1 Line.
Federal vehicle ID label found on driver's front door frame will tell you whether your vehicle is classified as passenger or multi purpose vehicle.
- Passenger vehicles include: sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, hardtop and hatchback vehicles.
- Multi-purpose vehicles include: SUV, pickup, van, truck, RV, trailer, bus and minibus.
In most states vehicles fall under these two categories.
Other Texas Tinting Rules & Regulations:
Other laws, rules and regulations in Texas include the following:
All tint must not be more than 25% reflective.
Dual side mirrors are required when back windshield is tinted under 25% VLT.
By Texas tint laws, colors red, blue and amber are not permitted on front windshield.
Film manufacturers must certify the film they sell in this state. Only film approved by Texas Department of Public Safety is allowed.
The sticker to identify legal tinting is required only on bottom right corner of driver's side window.
Medical Exemptions
Motorists must obtain a signed medical exemption statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist, which should:
- Identify with reasonable specificity the driver or occupant of the vehicle; and
- State that, in the physician’s or optometrist’s professional opinion, the equipping of the vehicle with sunscreening devices is necessary to safeguard the health of the driver or occupant of the vehicle.
After 2019, the Texas Department of Public Safety no longer issues Window Tint Exemption Certificates. Instead, the signed medical exemption statement will suffice as proof of a medical exception.
Under medical waivers, front windshield’s light transmission may not be reduced more than 5% (this is NOT VLT – basically only clear UV blocking tint allowed). Side windows can be reduced below default 25% VLT.
You must present the medical exemption statement during your annual vehicle inspection, and to law enforcement officers during traffic stops, so carrying the statement in vehicle at all times is necessary.
Quick FAQs
Operating a vehicle with illegal window tint in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor. Fines typically range from about $20 to $275 depending on the specific municipal jurisdiction, court costs, and whether it is a first or repeat offense, with many standard tickets landing around $135 to $250.
Officers may issue a warning or a “fix-it” citation giving you a set period to remove or correct the tint.
Non-compliant tint will cause your vehicle to fail the mandatory annual Texas safety inspection, requiring you to remove or replace the tint before you can renew your vehicle registration.
Professional tint installers who do not issue a required label commit a misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to $1,000.
Sources: TX Transp Code § 547.613
Exemptions to tint laws are made for vehicles:
- Maintained by a law enforcement agency and used for law enforcement purposes
- Used to transport passengers for a fee (limousines, taxis, buses)
Laws typically do not apply to vehicles registered in other states, but to avoid fines during out of state travels you can considering carrying proof that the tint you have is legal in your home state.
Tint laws only regulate aftermarket tinting, so vehicles manufactured with darker windows are excluded.
The last meaningful legislative change to Texas tint laws was made in 2009.
Our website is updated continuously. The latest major change is detailed below:
- November 2, 2026: Added information on medical exemptions, penalties, and exempt vehicles.
- [LAW] 2009 law change: Texas Senate Bill 589 (effective September 1, 2009) updated vehicle window tint regulations under the Texas Transportation Code; back side windows exempt from laws, rear window no restriction when vehicle equipped with rearview mirrors.
Our tint laws strictly reference official sources. You are welcome to verify data in official state laws linked below, or get in touch with your local DMV or police department to make sure you are not breaking Texas window tinting laws, rules and regulations.
Our article about Texas tint laws is up to date as of 2026. Last change was made on November 3rd, 2026 (approximately 1 day ago).
You can rest assured our legal experts are immediately notified of changes, and will always update this article with latest legislation when required.
Official law sources:
Window Tinting Standards (Texas Department of Public Safety)
Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 21, Rule §21.3: Standards for Sunscreening and Privacy Window Devices (official state code); alternate link (unofficial)
Texas Transportation Code § 547.613: Restrictions on Windows
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