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Choosing the perfect window tint darkness for your vehicle

Window tint for automobiles comes in a variety of different tint levels. Automobile owners usually choose window tint levels based on a few different factors, such as state laws, visibility, and style. 

It’s important to select tint darkness levels for your car windows based on your state of residence which follows the VLT (Visible Light Transmission) rules that apply in the state of your vehicle’s registration. Choosing legal window tint levels could be the difference between a fine and ticket, or a smooth, easy driving experience. 

You’ll also need to review the tint darkness scale before installing tint on your vehicle to ensure that it provides enough visibility, while reducing glare, interior heat, and offers the style or look you’re going for. For example, some drivers prefer reflective window tint.

This article reviews different levels of tint that you can select for your car windows, as well as providing a few considerations for how to choose window tint darkness and which factors to consider.

Provided below are a tint darkness scale, an explanation of the levels of window tint, and some examples of tint darkness percentages so you can make an educated decision when it comes to installing window tint film on your car windows. 

What are the different window tint levels?

Tint levels for car windows exist on a wide spectrum. The car tint darkness levels range from 10% tint darkness to 90% tint darkness. This percentage is a value that expresses how much visible light passes through the window tint film, also known as Visible Light Transmission (VLT.)

Each driver will have a different preference for car tint levels depending on how much or little VLT they would like inside their vehicle. 

On one hand, light window tint will block some heat, and glare, but only minimally reduces heat on the inside of the vehicle. On the other hand, dark window tint blocks out more heat, harmful UV ray intrusion, and reduces glare. Plus, it provides a greater level of privacy and offers a stylish look. 

Tips for Choosing the Best Tint Percentage

When installing tint on your car windows, or having window tint professionally installed on your car windows, you’ll have to select the degree of tint darkness you’re looking for. 

It’s imperative to research state laws for the darkness legal window tint percentage applicable in the state where your vehicle is registered, as well as the bordering states, or other states you plan to drive the car through. 

Keep these factors in mind before selecting the car tint darkness to install on your automobile. 

Legal Window Tint Percentage For Your State

Some states have strict window tint laws. This may mean that only a certain spectrum of tint levels for car windows is permissible, usually 50% VLT or more. 

Other states have more flexible car tint darkness laws. Take time to research the window tint laws in your state and make a sensible decision that accommodates the legal window tint levels in your state.

If you plan on crossing state lines with tinted windows, here are more resources on what you need to know. 

Visible light transmission (VLT %)

Tint films are categorized by how much visible light can pass through the tint film. 

Tint levels vary from 10%-90% which means anywhere between 10%-90% of light is filtered, based on the window tint levels you select. The lower the number the less light can penetrate according to the tint darkness scale. 

If you will be driving at night, it may be hard to see through extreme tint darkness levels. If you desire to have most of the light blocked out, or prefer a certain type of privacy for inside the cabin of your vehicle, a darker tint level may work best for your car.

Style

Some drivers prefer a sedate look when it comes to window tint darkness, and opt for a light to mid-range window tint level. Other drivers opt for very dark levels of tint because it creates a sporty look for the vehicle. 

The added benefit of dark tint is that in addition to creating a stylish look for your car, it also blocks out harmful UV rays from the sun, and reduces glare while driving the car during the day. Plus, you will have a more private experience inside your car, since other drivers will not be able to easily see inside.  

Tint Film Quality

Regardless of the tint darkness you select, one of the most important things is to choose a tint film that is top quality, and from a well known brand. If you are having the film installed by a professional tinting shop, make sure to ask them what tint film suppliers they use. 

You want to avoid any films that are known that have a short ‘shelf-life’ as these options will leave your vehicle tint looking poor and you may even need to replace it, costing you more in the long run. 

Making the smart choice to use professional level window tint film means your car will look better for longer. This investment will have your car saving energy, blocking out more sun and providing an overall better quality window tint. 

Tint Darkness Scale Options

The tint darkness scale is a measure of how dark window tint film is. Tint darkness depends on how much visible light can pass through the film. This measure is called Visible Light Transmission (VLT) and is expressed in a percentage. 

The percentage defines exactly what portion of sunlight can enter through the film into the vehicle. The amount of light that can penetrate the tint film should provide drivers enough visibility to see clearly out the vehicle windows, day or night.

What are the different levels of window tint?

Tint levels for cars vary from 10% visibility (VLT) to 90% visibility (VLT.)

Consult with a professional tint installation company and review state window tint laws in your area before installing tints on your vehicle.

Some tint companies will provide a small sample of tint that you can apply as a patch on your windshield. This will give you a better idea of how effective the tint level darkness is, and if it blocks glare, heat, or UV light to a degree that serves you. 

It will also give you a chance to determine if the darkness level provides the style and look of the vehicle that you desire. 

Window Tint Percentage Examples

Window tint darkness examples include private vehicles like limousines and armored trucks at the darkest end of the tint level spectrum. Clear car windows, as often found on buses and taxis, represent the light end of the spectrum— they are easy to see through. 

Most new cars are sold with no tint on the driver and passenger windows, and very low percentages of tint levels on back passenger windows. These light tint films ensure that the vehicle meets legal tint darkness scale limits in almost all U.S. states, but may not be as effective at blocking out glare, offering privacy, or style. Tinting the front windshield will also depend on the dealership and car make and model.

Window Tint Percentage Chart (With Pictures) 

Below are actual examples of different window tint percent films applied to car windows. The pictures range from 70% VLT film all the way down to 5% window tint film (limo tint).  Note, the pictures are estimates intended for conceptual reference.

70 % Tint

This car has a window tint percentage of 70 tint. Which is helpful in keeping out UV rays and heat. The 70 window tint on the car allows 70% of the light to pass through.

50% Tint

This car has a window tint percentage of 50 tint. Which is efficient in keeping out UV rays and heat. The 50 window tint on the car allows 50% of the light to pass through.

35 % Tint

This car has a window tint percentage of 35 tint. Which is very effective in keeping out UV rays and heat. The 35 window tint on the car allows 35% of the light to pass through.

25% Tint

This car has a window tint percentage of 25 tint. Which is very helpful in keeping out most UV rays and heat. The 25 window tint on the car allows 25% of the light to pass through.

5 % Tint

This car has a window tint percentage of 5 tint. This “limo tint” blocks almost all of the UV rays and heat from entering the vehicle. The 5 window tint on the car allows just 5% of the light to pass through.

How to Choose the Perfect Window Tint Percentage For Your Car

If you’re ready to have your car windows tinted but you’re not sure about the window tint darkness scales, or the permissible legal window tint darkness levels in your state, review the above charts (tint percentage pictures) and information. 

It’s better to take time to research window tint types, VLT %, and style considerations in advance of having window tint film installed on your vehicle than to find out after the fact that the tint is not effective, stylish, or worse, not legal in your state.

If you already have tint installed on your vehicle and are curious what tint percentage it is, you can use a window tint meter to scan and check the exact percent tint film that’s been applied. 

If you have questions about tint darkness levels, Window Tint Laws is here to provide support and accurate up-to-date information for drivers.

Things to Consider When Traveling To Another State With Tinted Windows

Before you invest in obscuring your windows, this post covers a few considerations that can help you make a good decision when it comes to traveling to different states with tinted car windows, that won’t cost you time or money, or extra work to remove the tinting from your vehicle. Reviewing the law or laws shall help you make a better window tint decision when it comes to the glass parts of your car. It can also be helpful to check the date that window tint laws are enacted, as they can change regularly.

Crossing State Borders with Tinted Windows

Window tinting on car windows has many advantages. It can reduce UV radiation, the reduced light transmittance on side windows, the windshield or rear window help to preserve aspects of car interior like carpeting and leather seats. Window tinting keeps the internal temperature of our motor vehicle lower, which can even help save money on fuel. 

Aesthetically, window tint creates a clean vehicle appearance. Tinting also offers a certain level of privacy to you as a driver. If you spend a lot of time driving or commonly cross the state line, you know that the darker windows add a layer of separation between you and other motor vehicles. The drivers and passengers in other vehicles on the road can’t see into your car quite as easily, so you don’t have to feel as though you’re being watched all the time.

Legal Tint Limits For Each State

Car window tinting does come with a few drawbacks, though. If you choose to filter the amount of light that can penetrate your car windows by using window films, it’s a good idea to stick to a light filtration percentage that is legal. The legal status of different tinges depends on the state you live in. If you plan to cross state borders, or drive back and forth from neighboring states on a regular basis, you’ll want to take their rules regarding acceptable window filtration into consideration before committing, otherwise you could be stuck removing the tint altogether. 

Can you get pulled over for window tint in another state?

The short answer is yes, you can be pulled over by state vehicles or law enforcement for window tint violations that go against state tint laws. This can include tint on the side windows, rear window, or windshield of motor vehicles. Tint causes excessive loss of light transmission, so darker tint that obscures the sun too much may be out of compliance with state tint laws. Tinting that is acceptable in the state where the car is registered, but driven outside of your home state can be a reason for your motor vehicle to receive a tint ticket.

Window coloration that is past the legal limit can serve as probable cause for a traffic citation in some states, but not in all states. Check the laws in your home state so that you do not get a ticket. In some cases, other infractions must be the first cause of a traffic stop, and only then can a ticket for illegal tint could be cited. In many cases, however, illegal colors on your glass windows is enough of a reason for an office to initiate a traffic stop. It’s a good idea to determine if the states you plan on traveling to operate under ‘tint as probable cause’ rules. 

Whether or not you’ll receive a citation or ticket for the illegal level of window filtration though, depends on a few variables. 

-The state where the car is registered?

-What are the window tint regulations in the state where you are operating the vehicle? 

-How often do cross the state line you work or drive through other states?

-Which citation practices shall the officers abide by?

If your motor vehicle registration and tag is from a state location where the tint law code is in compliance with and allows for the level of light filtration you’ve selected, it can’t hurt to keep a copy of that documentation in your glove box. This way, if an officer is proposing a citation, you can explain that in your primary state of residence (and where you most commonly use the vehicle) it is in fact lawful. This shows that you have attempted to educate yourself on the VLT laws, and are approaching with reasonable consideration. It also can’t hurt to mention that you’re just passing through, as opposed to regularly driving the vehicle on routine business back and forth through their state. 

Best practices regarding window tinting is to at least ensure that the coloration is in compliance with the vehicles registering state laws. Then, even if you do get stopped over the state line, you’ve opted for legitimately acceptable tinting from within the vehicle’s jurisdiction (at least on the date you checked the window tint law.) 

In some states, officers are required to issue citations at every traffic stop. In this case, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get out of a ticket for illegally dark windows, even if you’ve followed the guidelines from your state, but you may still be able to fight the ticket in court later. 

What you need to know before crossing state lines with tinted windows

A final thought is that window filtration laws are often in place for police officer safety. Officers sometimes opt (or are directed) to cite drivers with illegal window tinting (even if traveling out of state) because the extreme dark hue can create dangerous situations for police officers, whether on the roads, or during routine traffic stops. It’s a good idea to keep this in mind when initially selecting the percent of sun light transmission for your window tinting, anyway. This ensures a level of safety for a cop who may routinely perform a passenger search. Keep in mind that there are medical provisions, location provisions, and state provisions that apply to tints. You can avoid a fine or tint ticket by opting for window tinting that has a high percentage of light transmittance for your motor vehicle.

Do you need to tell insurance about tinted windows?

Some insurance companies will specifically ask about tinting levels, and some will not. There are a few ways the window tint can impact your insurance prices that you shall want to consider before applying the window tint (and before reporting.) Don’t forget to review your member medical coverage, too.

Tint that has a VLT within the legal limits of the state where the you have the vehicle registered are typically acceptable for most major insurance carriers, and thus won’t raise your rates. If your car insurance company is aware that your window tinting on side windows, the rear window, or windshield exceed legal VLT state laws, it is possible that your insurance costs will increase. Any insurance member shall receive a sticker for their cars specifying the date they reviewed the window tint. This is a good time to review your member medical coverage, especially before crossing the state line.

Apart from the legal status of the tint, another consideration is that windows make night-time driving harder due to minimal light transmittance. If you cross the line when it comes to sticker filtration and the percent of coloration in the tint can obscure your ability to see through the tinted windows and thus impede your visibility while driving. This could be cause for tickets, or a violation depending on the location and might be illegal. If you’ve reported that the visible light of the window film on your vehicle as particularly dark to the insurer, and regularly drive your vehicle at night, and the insurance company is aware of that through ‘good driving devices’ or self-reported driving habits, they could alter your insurance rates. Plus, dark window tint on your motor vehicle that contradicts the laws of the state could result in a tint ticket, especially if you have crossed a state line and are out of state compliance. This is especially true if you have the car registered in another state (like New York.) Of course, any time you get a ticket, your insurance rates could go up and you may have to go to court to dispute the tickets or violation.

Insurance companies main concerns are that any member is who is operating a motor vehicle with tint follows the tinting laws for the state where the car is registered. Whether they have rear tint, or windshield tint, drivers and any passenger shall emphasizes safety practices. Medical coverage is also a good idea. Plus, be sure that you are covered in the location where you drive, that you follow any car law that applies to registered vehicles.

How can I avoid getting pulled over for tint?

Tint tickets are no fun. If you have a heavily darkened vehicle windows that you know surpasses the legal limit tint laws in a state you are driving through, you may consider driving with the windows down, especially in heavily trafficked areas or heavily policed zones. This may not completely solve the problem of potential tint-related citations, but it can cut down on your chance of getting pulled over by a law enforcement person. 

Light transmittance levels are important when it comes to tint laws. There is equipment available that can test the window tint on the glass components of your car. A window tint sticker can help you when you’re across a state line. Medical insurance is also always a good idea.

Driving with a radar detector can be a good idea if you want to avoid getting pulled over for your windows across the state line (or for any other reason, such as speed, etc.) You can also become a member for your radar detector provider. They sometimes include a sticker in the packaging.

Consider the location. Where is the motor vehicle? Where is the vehicle registered? Will you cross a state line? What does the local court write about window tinting? Shall the cop use equipment to test the tint on the windows of cars? Where is the the driver and/or passenger licensed. Window tint that does not follow the tint code or laws based upon the location where it is registered could receive a ticket for the tinting.

Do police pull over for tint?

Depending on the state where you are driving the vehicle, the police may pull you over for obscured visibility violations. Some states follow a tint as probable cause for a traffic stop process, and others do not. You’ll want to review the guidelines for the state where your vehicle is registered, and the states where you plan to drive through. If your windows are heavily tinted you could get a ticket.

If a cop stops you in an out of state location, you shall show proof that the car is registered, or registration documentation etc. Let them know you have medical insurance coverage. If they ask about the tint laws in your state, inform them that you have done a search for the tint laws . You can explain that rear tinting is in accordance with the law as of the date you checked on the tint laws. It is a good idea to discuss the material used for the window tinting and mention that the tint is the same on the rear window as the rest of the glass on the registered vehicle. As long as you are following the law, they may use special equipment to test the tinting. The enforcement person may also request a sample of the material used for the tints. If they insist, they could search for the date the vehicle was registered, and ask when window tint was installed.

The VLT limits vary from state to state. VLT or visible light transmission is a metric that determines how much sun light penetrates the film you’ve selected for your windows. The darker the window tinting on the windshield, side windows or rear window, the less sun light shall get through. Typically, it’s identified by the percentage of light that is blocked out by the film, somewhere between 5%-20% are common. If you operate a heavily tinted vehicle with a VLT far beyond the legal limits in the bordering state you happen to be traveling through, there is a chance you’ll get pulled over by the police. If you’ve opted for a VLT that is lighter, and within a reasonable range of the legal limits in states outside of where the vehicle is registered, it could be less likely that officers will detect the infraction, pull you over, or ticket you. 

Lastly, it’s generally suggested to be polite and respectful towards law enforcement. Officers usually opt to become a member of many unions that protect their safety, regardless of which state line they may have crossed\. Make sure you are following the tint laws and that your light transmittance levels on rear windows or other glass material are up to code. This way you can avoid a search or an officer using special equipment to check the tinting material. So, in the event that you do have to speak to an officer during a traffic violation or for the tint itself, courtesy will go a long way.

Tint laws differ and could depend on the date that the laws were enacted or if you have crossed a state line. Try to obtain a sticker that shows that you are a member of an approved window tinting site.

Driving Across Borders with Dark Windows

Ultimately, it depends on the legal status of the VLT and film in each state where you’ll be operating the vehicle, whether or not violations or citations can be issued. Be sure to review the window tint laws by state before getting a tint that could cost you big bucks. 

If you are crossing a state line and need help installing or removing window films, visit our online shop, and become a member.