IOWA TINT LAW 2023 (IA)
Jump to...
Iowa Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Passenger Vehicles
Here are the legal window tinting limits for passenger vehicles in Iowa:
- Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
- Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed. Must allow at least 70% of light transmission. This means tint can block up to 30% of light.
- Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
- Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used
In summary of Iowa window tint laws:
- Front Windows – 70% minimum light transmission
The use of reflective or metallic tint films is prohibited in Iowa.
Medical exemptions can be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. Violating the tint law results in a $50 fine plus court fees. Professional tint shops can apply the compliant film.
Iowa Tinting Law Video:
On this page, we have done our best to collect all of the legal information necessary about the 2023 Iowa tint law, including how dark the tint is allowed to be and how reflective the tint is allowed to be in Iowa. Aside from the basics, like tint percentages, there are also additional car window tinting rules and regulations in Iowa that we have made available.
Iowa window tint law was first put into place in 1983 with Iowa being the 1st of the 50 states to enact these tinting laws.
What does VLT Mean according to Iowa State Law?
The percentage of light that a window tint film allows to pass through your car windows is called the VLT (Visible Light Transmission), and each state has different legal allowable limits. The amount of light allowed to pass through your film and glass in Iowa is very specific to the state and is different for Passenger Vehicles and Multi-Purpose Vehicles.
A HIGHER VLT means that more light is allowed to pass through the window tint film.
Example: a 75% tint will allow 75% of the light to pass through whereas a 5% tint will only allow 5% of the light to pass through, making the 5% tint a much darker film.
HOW MUCH DOES CAR WINDOW TINTING COST? The cost of tinting your car windows can be very affordable. If you want to learn how much it costs to tint your car, click here.
Iowa Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Multi-Purpose Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
- Front seat side windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
- Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
- Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used
Want to D-I-Y?
How to tint car windows. To D-I-Y, check out how to tint car windows yourself here.
We have created an article discussing everything you need to know about VLT and Window Tint Percentages for your reference. If you want to learn the difference between the tint levels and preview the tint percentages we recommend you check it out.
Other Iowa Window Tint Law Rules And Regulations:
Iowa has a few other important things that you will need to consider regarding window tinting and we recommend that you check them out before deciding whether or not you tint your windows:
- Do I have to have side mirrors in Iowa? Side mirrors are only required in Iowa if the view from the windshield mirror is obstructed.
- Is colored tint illegal in Iowa? All tint colors are allowed in Iowa.
- What are the Window Tint Certification Rules in Iowa? Manufacturers of film are not required to certify the film they sell in the state.
- Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in Iowa? No sticker to identify legal tinting is required.
- Are there Medical Exemptions in Iowa for Window Tint? Iowa used to allow for medical exemptions for tinting windows but since July 2012 they no longer permit darker window tinting due to medical exemptions.
Always remember that Iowa tint laws can change on a daily basis and these rules and regulations may be interpreted differently on a city-to-city or county-to-county basis. We recommend double-checking the information contained on this website with your local DMV or local law enforcement agencies for accuracy. This information relating to window tint laws in Iowa was last updated on August 24th, 2023. Tinting laws in Iowa were enacted in 1983. In case any of our info provided is not up to date or correct be sure to contact us so we can fix it. Thanks!
Iowa Automotive Window Tint Law References
Iowa Motor Vehicles and Laws of the Road Section 321.438
Iowa Code – Rule 761-450.7 – Front Windshields, Windows or Sidewings
Window Tinting Standards – Iowa Department of Transportation
Iowa Window Tint Medical Exemption References
Iowa used to allow Window Tint Medical Exemption for medical reasons but since July 2012 they no longer allow darker tint. You are allowed to have tinted windows down to 35% VLT only if they were darkened prior to July 4, 2012, due to medical conditions. You must continue to carry your DOT form #432020 which was signed by a physician prior to this date at all times in your vehicle. If you have lost your form a new one can be acquired by contacting The Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services.
Iowa Office of Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services
omcs@iowadot.us
515-237-3268
For more information regarding window tint medical exemptions in Iowa you can checkout this resource:
Want a complete guide for medical exemptions for tinted windows in all 50 states?
Click this button to be taken to a PDF file that will help you to understand the medical exemptions in all 50 states
State of Iowa Information
Iowa is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the “American Heartland”. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. In the latter half of the 20th century, Iowa’s agricultural economy made the transition to a diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services, Information Technology, biotechnology, and green energy production. Iowa is the 26th most extensive in land area and the 30th most populous of the 50 United States. Its capital and largest city is Des Moines. Iowa has been listed as one of the safest states in which to live.
What is the Capital of Iowa
The capital of Iowa is Des Moines
What is the population of Iowa
The population of Iowa is 3,155,070 according to Wikipedia as of 2019.
What is the area of Iowa
The area of Iowa is 58,272 square miles and ranks as the 26th largest state in the United States!
Iowa Wikipedia Page
Check out Iowa’s Wikipedia page to learn all kinds of cool facts about the state!
Official Iowa State Website
If you want to learn more about the laws in Iowa check their official Website Here
What are the main cities located in Iowa?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Ames, Sioux City, Dubuque, Davenport, West Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Council Bluffs, Ankeny, Urbandale, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Bettendorf, Marshalltown, Coralville, Ottumwa, Burlington, Decorah, Muscatine, Mystic, Pella, Panora, Okoboji, Waukee, Clinton, Adel, Storm Lake, Marion, Le Claire, Keokuk, Defiance, Clive, Clear Lake, Fairfield, Indianola, Malcolm, North Liberty, Delphos, Le Mars, Pioneer, Waverly, Johnston, Altoona, Fort Madison, Boone, Oskaloosa, Orange City
What are the main counties located in Iowa?
Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Sac, Scott, Shelby, Sioux, Story, Tama, Taylor, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winnishiek, Woodbury, Worth, Wright
