The short version
- Front side windows and the rear window must allow at least 30% of light in.
- The statute does not limit tint on side windows behind the driver.
- Reflectivity on regulated windows is capped at 25%.
- Medical exemptions need an Indiana physician's or optometrist's certificate, renewed annually and kept in the vehicle.
- Illegal tint is a Class C infraction; installing illegal tint is a Class A infraction.
Tint limits by window
Percentages are the minimum VLT allowed. A lower number is a darker tint.
| Window | Sedans & coupes | SUVs, trucks & vans |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Tint on uppermost portion only, not below AS-1 line | Tint on uppermost portion only, not below AS-1 line |
| Front side windows | 30% VLT | 30% VLT |
| Back side windows | Any darkness (not limited by IC 9-19-19-4) | Any darkness (not limited by IC 9-19-19-4) |
| Rear window | 30% VLT | 30% VLT (factory privacy glass exempt) |
Not sure what these percentages look like? See window tint percentage examples or read about the AS-1 line.
How Indiana compares
Indiana allows 30% VLT on the front side windows of a car. That is darker than 36 states allow and lighter than 13 states permit. If you want to see what 30% VLT actually looks like on glass, compare it in our tint percentage examples.
Indiana borders Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Film that is legal here can get you a ticket in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, where the front-window limit is stricter. Our guide to crossing state lines with tinted windows explains how out-of-state cars are treated.
Sedans vs SUVs, trucks and vans
Indiana treats multi-purpose vehicles differently. A sedan or coupe can run any darkness on the back side windows and 30% VLT on the rear window, while SUVs, pickups and vans can run any darkness behind the driver and 30% VLT on the rear glass. The front side windows are the same for both (30% VLT). Your vehicle type is printed on the federal certification label in the driver’s door jamb.
Many SUVs and trucks leave the factory with dark privacy glass behind the driver. Because most states measure the combined reading of film plus glass, adding film over privacy glass drops the number further than the film label suggests. See how film and glass add up in our VLT guide.
Windshield tint in Indiana
The rule for the windshield is: Tint on uppermost portion only, not below AS-1 line. The AS-1 line is a small mark etched near the top of the glass; our guide shows how to find the AS-1 line on your car.
Choosing film that passes in Indiana
Reflectivity is regulated too: tint on the windshield, front side windows and rear window may not have visible light reflectance above 25%, measured on the non-film side.. Metallic films are the type most likely to run into reflectivity limits, while carbon and ceramic films are non-reflective. Compare them in types of window tint film.
Most installers in Indiana meter the glass before and after the install so you leave with a reading inside the limit. Ask for the meter reading on your receipt; it is useful if you are ever stopped.
Need an installer who knows these rules? Browse Indiana tint shops on TintingNearMe.com.
If you get a tint ticket
Driving with illegal tint is a Class C infraction (fine of up to $500). Applying tint that makes a vehicle non-compliant is a Class A infraction (up to $10,000). Police may stop a vehicle to check tint but may not search or detain anyone solely for a tint violation.
No sticker requirement. For factory tinting, proof from the manufacturer, supplier or installer that it meets FMVSS 205 must be carried in the vehicle. To see how Indiana stacks up, read window tint penalties by state. If you need darker film for a medical reason, the medical exemption guide covers what most states ask for.
Reflectivity and other rules
Reflectivity: Tint on the windshield, front side windows and rear window may not have visible light reflectance above 25%, measured on the non-film side.
- Indiana's statute limits only the windshield, front side wings, front-door side windows and the rear window; side windows behind the driver are not listed.
- The same rules apply to all motor vehicles; there is no separate SUV or van rule in the statute.
- Factory-installed tinted glass that meets FMVSS 205 is exempt from the limits.
- Reflectance is capped at 25% on regulated windows.
- Signs or stickers may not obstruct the driver's view; small items up to 4 inches square are allowed in the windshield's lower corner farthest from the driver.
Stickers and certification
No sticker requirement. For factory tinting, proof from the manufacturer, supplier or installer that it meets FMVSS 205 must be carried in the vehicle.
Penalties
Driving with illegal tint is a Class C infraction (fine of up to $500). Applying tint that makes a vehicle non-compliant is a Class A infraction (up to $10,000). Police may stop a vehicle to check tint but may not search or detain anyone solely for a tint violation.
Compare penalties in every stateIndiana medical exemption
The tint limits do not apply if the vehicle's owner or habitual passenger must be shielded from direct sunlight for medical reasons, as certified by a physician or optometrist licensed in Indiana. The certificate must be carried in the vehicle and renewed every year. There is no BMV application; installers may tint beyond the limits for a person who presents the medical statement.
New to exemptions? Our medical exemption guide explains which conditions usually qualify and how the paperwork works in each state.
Connects you with a licensed doctor through MyEyeRx.
Watch: Indiana tint law videos
From our YouTube channel. Laws can change after a video is published; the limits on this page reflect the law as reviewed on November 2, 2026.
Video from 2024
Video from 2024
Video from 2025
More on the Window Tint Laws YouTube channel.
Indiana tint law questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Indiana?
Front side windows and the rear window must be at least 30% VLT with no more than 25% reflectance. Indiana's tint statute does not set a limit for side windows behind the driver.
Can I get a medical exemption in Indiana?
Yes. A physician or optometrist licensed in Indiana must certify that you or a habitual passenger needs to be shielded from the sun. Carry the certificate in the vehicle and renew it every year.
How much is a tint ticket in Indiana?
Driving with illegal tint is a Class C infraction with a fine of up to $500. Installing tint that makes a vehicle illegal is a Class A infraction, punishable by up to $10,000.
Is 20% tint legal in Indiana?
Not on the front side windows or rear window, which must be at least 30% VLT unless you have a medical exemption. The statute does not regulate side windows behind the driver.
Does Indiana have different rules for SUVs?
No. Indiana's statute applies the same 30% limit to all motor vehicles. SUVs often have darker factory privacy glass, which is legal because factory glazing meeting federal standards is exempt.
Sources and how we check
Governing law: Ind. Code § 9-19-19-4; penalties Ind. Code §§ 9-19-19-7, 9-19-19-8
- Indiana Code § 9-19-19-4 (2024, Justia)
- Indiana Code Title 9, Article 19, Chapter 19 (incl. §§ 9-19-19-7 and -8 penalties)
- IN.gov FAQ: What is the Indiana law concerning tinted windows
Tint laws change, and police and inspection stations can interpret them differently. Confirm with the Indiana DMV or state police before you tint. Found something out of date? Tell us.