New York tint law
What tint is actually legal in New York?
New York law requires at least 70% VLT on the windshield and both front side windows, and sedans also need 70% on the rear side windows and rear glass. SUVs, vans, and pickups can have any darkness behind the driver.
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The rules
Six things to know before you tint.
VLT means visible light transmission. Higher number, lighter glass. 70% VLT is light; 5% is limo.
Windshield and front side windows: 70% VLT minimum
Both front doors and the windshield must let at least 70% of visible light through, on every vehicle type.
Sedans: 70% all the way around
On a sedan, the rear side windows and the rear glass are held to the same 70% limit as the front.
SUVs, vans and pickups: no limit behind the driver
Rear side windows and the rear window can be as dark as you want, including 5% limo, as long as the front stays at 70%.
Windshield strip: top 6 inches only
A visor strip along the top 6 inches of the windshield is legal. Anything lower is not.
Annual inspection uses a photometer
New York's mandatory yearly inspection measures your glass with a meter, with roughly a 7% tolerance. Borderline film fails.
Medical exemption: DMV Form MV-80W
A physician or optometrist signs the form and the DMV approves it. Keep the paperwork in the car.
Being pulled over is not the only risk.
Illegal film costs twice: once to install, once to strip before your inspection passes. We would rather send you out at 35% behind the driver and legal up front than sell you a ticket.
FAQ
The questions people actually search.
Is 20% tint legal in New York?+
Not on the front side windows of any vehicle, and not on the rear windows of a sedan. Front windows must let at least 70% of light through. On an SUV, van, or pickup, 20% is fine on the rear side windows and the rear glass.
What is the darkest legal tint in New York?+
70% VLT on the windshield and front side windows. Behind the driver, SUVs, vans, and pickups have no darkness limit, while sedans are held to 70% all around.
Can I tint my windshield in New York?+
Only the top 6 inches. A strip along the top edge is legal; tinting the full windshield below that is not.
Does New York check tint at inspection?+
Yes. New York runs a mandatory annual safety inspection that measures window tint with a photometer. Inspectors work with roughly a 7% tolerance, so film close to the limit can still fail.
What happens if my tint fails inspection?+
The vehicle fails until the film is corrected, which usually means removing the illegal film and re-tinting to a legal shade. That is why we would rather tell you no up front than take your money twice.
Is there a medical exemption for tint in New York?+
Yes. New York issues medical exemptions through DMV Form MV-80W, signed by a physician or optometrist for conditions such as lupus or light sensitivity. Bring the approved exemption with you and we will tint to what it allows.
This page is a plain-language summary of New York State tint rules, not legal advice. Rules can change — call us or check the NYS DMV for the current requirement.
Not sure what's legal for your vehicle? Call us and we'll tell you straight.
Tell us the year, make, and model and whether it is registered in New York or New Jersey. We will tell you exactly what you can run.
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We answer. Call anytime during shop hours and you'll get Sumi, not a machine.