| Virginia Tint Laws | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | SUV | |
| Front Windshield | No tint allowed | No tint allowed |
| Front Side Windows | 50% | 50% |
| Back Side Windows | 35% | Any darkness |
| Rear Windshield | 35% | Any darkness |
Quick summary: Virginia tint laws do not allow any front windshield tinting. Front side windows must have at least 50% VLT. Windows behind driver must have 35% VLT on passenger cars, but can have any darkness on multipurpose vehicles like SUVs and vans.
Last updated on: . Confirmed accurate for 2026. Attorney verified
Virginia 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 Virginia
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 Virginia?
Here's exactly how much VLT is allowed on your auto window tint in Virginia (VA), categorized by passenger and multi-purpose vehicles.
Tint darkness for passenger vehicles:
- Windshield: No aftermarket tint allowed except to replace manufacturer's tint on AS-1 line.
- Front side windows: Must allow more than 50% of light in.
- Back side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
- Rear window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Passenger vehicles include: sedan, coupe, convertible, station wagon, hardtop and hatchback vehicles.
Tint darkness for multi-purpose vehicles (MPV):
- Windshield: No aftermarket tint allowed except to replace manufacturer's tint on AS-1 line.
- Front side windows: Must allow more than 50% 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 Virginia Tinting Rules & Regulations:
Other laws, rules and regulations in Virginia include the following:
Must not be more than 20% reflective.
Dual side mirrors are required if any window is tinted.
No colored materials allowed.
Film manufacturers do not need to certify the film they sell in Virginia.
Law does not mention any sticker or label requirements on tinted windows.
Medical Exemptions
Virginia allows a medical exemption for darker vehicle window tinting if you have a qualifying health condition that requires protection from sunlight. Under a medical exemption, front windshield can be tinted to 70% VLT, or 35% VLT on top 5 inches (AS-1 line). Front side windows can go down to 35% VLT (from default 50%). Windows behind driver can not receive darker tint.
To apply for a medical waiver, have a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, ophthalmologist, or optometrist fill out and sign the medical certification section of the Virginia DMV Sun-Shading Medical Authorization Application (MED-20). Form is available in our resources section below, and should be sent to the address provided on this page of Virginia DMV.
Once processed, the DMV will issue you a new vehicle registration card with “sun-shading” printed in the Special Conditions space. Keep this registration card in the vehicle as official proof of your authorization during traffic stops or inspections. Keep this registration card in the vehicle as official proof of your authorization during traffic stops or inspections.
The authorization remains valid until you sell or transfer the vehicle, or until the medical condition no longer exists (at which point you must remove the tint and file a MED-21 removal form).
Quick FAQs
Operating a vehicle with illegal window tint in Virginia is a traffic infraction (not a criminal misdemeanor) and does not carry demerit points on your driving record. Fines typically range from minor ticket amounts of $100, up to $500 depending on the specific citation and court handling.
Applying illegal tint (individuals or shops) is a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense (§ 46.2-1052). Fines range from $500 to $1,000, and potentially up to 6 months in jail.
Upon second or subsequent violation in the same year, courts can order removing tinted windows.
Law enforcement officers are NOT allowed to stop vehicles solely based on suspected illegal window tint.
Tint laws do not apply to:
- Windows tinted prior to July 1, 1987 (requires proof such as receipts)
- Law enforcement vehicles
- Private security vehicles
- Emergency medical vehicles used to transport patients
- Contract passenger carrier and sight-seeing carriers (defined in § 46.2-2000)
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.
Visible light transmission (VLT) measures how much visible light passes through a vehicle window. Law enforcement often uses a tint meter device to measure VLT. However, tint meters are not always perfectly accurate, and readings can vary slightly due to the equipment or measurement conditions.
To account for these small differences, Virginia allows a variance of 7% when measuring window tint. As tint meters are not 100% accurate, the tolerance should never be used to apply darker than legally permitted tint.
The last meaningful legislative change to Virginia tint laws was made in 2026.
Our website is updated continuously. The latest major change is detailed below:
- November 2, 2026: Added information on penalties, medical exemptions, and exempt vehicles.
- [LAW] April 13, 2026: Chapter 894 (Senate Bill 506) amended § 46.2-1052 of the Code of Virginia: clear film now allowed on windshield, holographic and prism effects now banned.
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 Virginia window tinting laws, rules and regulations.
Our article about Virginia 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:
Code of Virginia section 46.2-1053: Equipping certain motor vehicles with sun-shading or tinting films or applications. (medical exemptions)
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles – Vehicle Sun-Shading and Medical Waivers
Virginia DMV – Sun-Shading Medical Authorization Application [PDF file]; alternate download link
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