Tint Percentages Visual Comparison

Visual guide

70% VLT — nearly clear

To an outside observer, a 70% VLT window looks nearly identical to untinted glass. Slight cooler tone in bright sun. At night, indistinguishable. Interior driver view: unchanged. This is the required VLT for front side windows in strict states like California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

50% VLT — subtle

Noticeably shaded in direct sunlight but still easy to see occupants through the window. At night, interior details are only slightly obscured. Legal in Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire. A safe pick for drivers who want some privacy without darkening nighttime visibility.

35% VLT — middle of the road

Clearly darker. Outside observer can see shapes and silhouettes but not fine details during daytime. Night: interior appears black to outside viewers unless lit by the dome light. Legal on front side windows in Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia. The most popular aftermarket VLT in the U.S.

20% VLT — strong privacy

Very dark but not blackout. Daytime: rough silhouettes only. Night: interior is completely obscured unless a light is on. Matches factory privacy glass on most SUVs. Legal on back side and rear windows in most states; rarely legal on front sides.

5% VLT — "limo"

Nearly opaque from outside. Daytime: occupants are silhouettes at best. Night: interior is black from outside. Legal only on back side and rear windows in "any darkness" states (Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico). Nighttime driving with 5% on back windows is meaningfully harder.

Picking a VLT based on observer viewpoint

Want to see clearly in and out at all times: 50% or higher.
Want daytime privacy but preserve night vision: 35%.
Want factory-SUV look: 20% on back windows.
Want blackout privacy and drive only in daylight: 5% back windows only.

State-by-state snapshot

Quick lookup for every U.S. state

Use the table below to jump straight to any state’s tint law page. Front side VLT is the most-cited number and is shown for sedans. Deep-link into any state for the full rule, SUV differences, windshield rule, medical exemption, and the statute citation.

Sedan front side VLT minimum · every U.S. state & D.C. (2026)
State	Front side VLT	Back side VLT	Rear VLT	Medical
Alabama	32% VLT or higher	32% VLT or higher	32% VLT or higher	Yes
Alaska	70% VLT or higher	40% VLT or higher	40% VLT or higher	Yes
Arizona	33% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Arkansas	25% VLT or higher	25% VLT or higher	10% VLT or higher	Yes
California	70% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Colorado	27% VLT or higher	27% VLT or higher	27% VLT or higher	Yes
Connecticut	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Delaware	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	Yes
Florida	28% VLT or higher	15% VLT or higher	15% VLT or higher	Yes
Georgia	32% VLT or higher	32% VLT or higher	32% VLT or higher	Yes
Hawaii	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Idaho	35% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Illinois	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Indiana	30% VLT or higher	30% VLT or higher	30% VLT or higher	Yes
Iowa	70% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Kansas	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Kentucky	35% VLT or higher	18% VLT or higher	18% VLT or higher	Yes
Louisiana	40% VLT or higher	25% VLT or higher	12% VLT or higher	Yes
Maine	35% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Maryland	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Massachusetts	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Michigan	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Minnesota	50% VLT or higher	50% VLT or higher	50% VLT or higher	Yes
Mississippi	28% VLT or higher	28% VLT or higher	28% VLT or higher	Yes
Missouri	35% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Montana	24% VLT or higher	14% VLT or higher	14% VLT or higher	Yes
Nebraska	35% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	Yes
Nevada	35% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
New Hampshire	70% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
New Jersey	Not allowed	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
New Mexico	20% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	Yes
New York	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	Yes
North Carolina	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
North Dakota	50% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Ohio	50% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Unclear
Oklahoma	25% VLT or higher	25% VLT or higher	25% VLT or higher	Yes
Oregon	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Pennsylvania	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	Yes
Rhode Island	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	70% VLT or higher	Yes
South Carolina	27% VLT or higher	27% VLT or higher	27% VLT or higher	Yes
South Dakota	35% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	20% VLT or higher	Yes
Tennessee	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Texas	25% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Utah	43% VLT or higher	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Vermont	Not allowed	Any VLT allowed	Any VLT allowed	Yes
Virginia	50% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Washington	24% VLT or higher	24% VLT or higher	24% VLT or higher	Yes
Washington, D.C.	70% VLT or higher	50% VLT or higher	50% VLT or higher	Yes
West Virginia	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Wisconsin	50% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	35% VLT or higher	Yes
Wyoming	28% VLT or higher	28% VLT or higher	28% VLT or higher	Yes

This snapshot summarises sedan rules only. SUV, van, and pickup (MPV) rules differ in most states — see each state’s dedicated page for the full picture. All values are re-verified against primary sources for 2026 (see sources & methodology).