NEW YORK TINT LAW 2021 (NY)
On this page we have done our best to collect all of the legal information necessary about New York tint law, including how dark the tint is allowed to be and how reflective the tint is allowed to be in New York. Aside from the basics, like tint percentages, there are also additional car window tinting rules and regulations in New York that we have made available.
New York window tint law was first put into place in 1991 with New York being the 14th of the 50 states to enact these tinting laws.
Table of Contents
What does VLT Mean according to New York 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 New York 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.
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.
New York Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Passenger Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
- Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
- Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used if using dual exterior rear view mirrors.
- Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used if using dual exterior rear view mirrors.
New York Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Multi-Purpose Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
- Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
- Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
- Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used
How much does car window tinting cost?
The cost of tinting your car windows can vary but it’s typically very affordable. Check out the current prices on Amazon here.
Other New York Window Tint law Rules And Regulations:
New York 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 New York? Dual side mirrors are required if back side windows or rear window is tinted below 70% VLT.
- Is colored tint illegal in New York? All tint colors are allowed in New York.
- What are the Window Tint Certification Rules in New York? Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in New York.
- Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in New York? The sticker to identify legal tinting is required between the film & glass on each tinted window.
- Are there Medical Exemptions in New York for Window Tint? New York allows medical exemptions for special tint.
Always remember that New York 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 New York was last updated on January 27th, 2020. Tinting laws in New York were enacted in 1991. 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!
New York Window Tint Medical Exemption References
Latest New York Health department regulations updated in December 2017 include the following medical conditions: albinism, chronic actinic dermatitis/actinic reticuloid, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, porphyria, xeroderma (pigmentosa) pigmentosum, severe drug photosensitivity, photophobia, or any other condition or disorder causing severe photosensitivity in which the individual is required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun.
For more information regarding window tint medical exemptions in _____ you can checkout this resource:
- New York DMV – Tinted windows FAQ
- New York DMV – Application for tinted window exemption (.pdf file; form MV-80W)
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 New York Information
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th-most extensive, the 3rd-most populous, and the 7th-most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.
What is the Capital of New York
The capital of New York Albany
What is the population of New York
The population of New York is 19,453,561 according to Wikipedia as of 2019.
What is the area of New York
The area of New York is 54,555 square miles and ranks as the 27th largest state in the United States!
New York Wikipedia Page
Checkout New York’s Wikipedia page to learn all kinds of cool facts about the state!
Official New York state Website
If you want to learn more about the laws in New York checkout their official Website Here
What are the main cities located in New York
New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Brooklyn, Rochester, Yonkers, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, White Plains, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Binghamton, Poughkeepsie, New Rochelle, Troy, Utica, Amityville, Town of Hempstead, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Huntington, Newburgh, Levittown, Scarsdale, Watertown, Great Neck, Elmira, Tarrytown, Cooperstown, Middletown, Garden City, Brookhaven, Islip, Smithtown, Canandaigua, Sleepy Hollow, Woodstock, Amherst, Bronxville, Babylon, Long Beach, Clifton Park, Glens Falls, Nyack, Mount Vernon, New Paltz, Town of Oyster Bay, Beacon, Rhinebeck
What are the main counties located in New York
Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St , Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates
