New York windshield tint law

Non-reflective tint is permitted in the top 6 inches of the windshield.

New York specifies a fixed 6-inch measurement rather than referencing the AS-1 line.

The AS-1 line is an etched mark on most U.S. windshields roughly 5–6 inches from the top edge. It comes from the ANSI/SAE Z26.1 safety-glazing standard, which the federal FMVSS 205 incorporates as the federal windshield glazing requirement. Most states’ windshield tint rules reference this line to delineate the area where a non-reflective top strip of aftermarket film is permitted. Full explanation in our windshield tint laws & the AS-1 line guide.

While the windshield rule is the strictest, the front side windows next to it are also regulated. In New York the minimum legal VLT on sedan front side windows is 70% VLT or higher. SUVs, vans, and trucks generally follow the same front-side rule. See the full numbers on the New York tint percentage guide.

New York offers a medical tint exemption through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) via Form MV-80W. Applicants submit medical certification to the DMV and receive authorization for darker tint.

In almost every U.S. state, medical exemptions apply only to side and rear windows; the windshield rule remains enforced. Full details on our New York medical exemption page.

• N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 375(12-a) — Safety glass; light transmittance
• New York DMV — Application for Tinted Window Exemption (Form MV-80W)
• New York DMV — Tinted Windows

Federal context: FMVSS 205 and ANSI/SAE Z26.1 govern the underlying federal glazing rules.

The AS-1 line is a short physical mark etched or printed into the top of your windshield during manufacture. It is not a concept — it is a real line, usually 5–6 inches from the top edge, that separates the zone of the windshield where aftermarket film may legally appear (above the line) from the zone where it may not (below).

To locate it:

1. Inspect the inside upper edge of the windshield. Look for a short horizontal mark or a small “AS-1” text marking embedded in the glass, typically near the centerline.
2. Measure from the top. On most modern vehicles the AS-1 line falls 4–6 inches below the top edge of the windshield as installed in the vehicle.
3. If you cannot find it, assume the line sits 5 inches below the top edge for compliance purposes. This is a conservative default used by most state inspection guidelines.

Federal standard ANSI/SAE Z26.1 defines the AS-1 and AS-2 glass classifications. AS-1 is laminated safety glass with a minimum 70% VLT and is required for the primary driver-visibility zone. Any aftermarket film applied below the AS-1 line must also meet the 70% VLT federal minimum — in practice, effectively no dark film.

• Top-strip / eyebrow tint above the AS-1 line. This is the most common legal windshield film — a 4–6 inch horizontal band at the top for glare reduction. The band can be as dark as the driver wishes (including 5% VLT) because it is above the AS-1 line.
• Clear UV-rejecting film across the full windshield. These films are typically 70–90% VLT and reject 99%+ of UVA and UVB. They technically meet the 70% VLT federal floor, but New York enforcement may still treat them as aftermarket film and ticket drivers on that basis. Verify written state authorization before installing a full-windshield clear ceramic film. See our full-windshield tint legality guide.
• OEM-integrated solar coatings, such as those on Tesla, Porsche, and BMW, are factory-bonded to the laminated glass and are not considered aftermarket film. These are legal in New York and all U.S. states.
• Windshield replacement with tinted glass. Replacing the factory windshield with a pre-tinted, federally-compliant laminated windshield is legal and is what luxury manufacturers effectively do at the factory. Beware of aftermarket replacement windshields from overseas that do not meet FMVSS 205 — they fail state inspection.

In New York, windshield tint enforcement is typically handled two ways:

• Roadside equipment stop. An officer notices the tinted band extends below the AS-1 line, stops the vehicle, and issues a citation. Enforcement is highly variable; in practice, a modestly-tinted top strip 5–6 inches deep is almost never cited.
• Annual inspection (in states with mandatory inspection). The inspector’s job includes verifying that the windshield above the AS-1 line is either factory-original or has a compliant aftermarket film. A film extending below the AS-1 line is a failing defect and must be removed before re-inspection.

Practical advice: if you want a top-strip band, have the installer measure carefully from the AS-1 line and stop the film above that line by at least ½ inch. The band will still provide glare reduction while avoiding any question of compliance. See our deep dive on windshield eyebrow / top-strip tint.