New Jersey window tint laws

New Jersey allows no aftermarket film on the front side windows of a car. Only a handful of states are this strict about the front windows. If you want to see what no aftermarket film actually looks like on glass, compare it in our tint percentage examples.

New Jersey borders Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania. None of its neighbors are stricter about front windows, so legal New Jersey tint is legal next door too. Shops in Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania can legally install darker film than New Jersey allows, so check the meter reading if you tint across the border. Our guide to crossing state lines with tinted windows explains how out-of-state cars are treated.

New Jersey uses the same limits for every vehicle type: no aftermarket film on the front side windows, any darkness on the back side windows and any darkness on the rear window, whether you drive a sedan, SUV, pickup or van.

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.

The rule for the windshield is: No aftermarket tint (strip above AS-1 line only). 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.

Reflectivity is regulated too: no aftermarket film of any kind is allowed on the windshield or front side windows without a medical exemption; N.J.A.C. 13:20-1.3 sets reflectance standards for exempt film. New Jersey law sets no specific reflectance limit for back side and rear windows.. 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.

With front windows this strict, the usual approach is a light ceramic film on the fronts. It keeps the cabin noticeably cooler and blocks UV without dropping below the legal reading, and you can still go darker behind the driver where the law allows.

Need an installer who knows these rules? Browse New Jersey tint shops on TintingNearMe.com.

Tint on the windshield or front side windows violates N.J.S.A. 39:3-74 (obstructed view) and is cited as a motor vehicle violation with a fine plus court costs. Failing to show a valid medical exemption card carries a fine of up to $100, which a judge may dismiss if a valid card is later shown. Installers who violate labeling or registration rules face fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for later offenses.

Exempt film must carry an installer label meeting N.J.A.C. 13:20-1.8. No sticker is required for legal back side or rear tint. To see how New Jersey 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.