The short version
- Sedans need 35% VLT on all side and rear windows
- SUVs, minivans and pickups may use any darkness behind the driver
- Readings above 32% on an approved meter are legal
- Reflectance is capped at 20%, and red, yellow and amber films are banned
- Tint inspections ended December 1, 2025, but illegal tint is still a Class 3 misdemeanor
Tint limits by window
Percentages are the minimum VLT allowed. A lower number is a darker tint.
| Window | Sedans & coupes | SUVs, trucks & vans |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top 5 inches or above AS-1 line (whichever is longer) | Top 5 inches or above AS-1 line (whichever is longer) |
| Front side windows | 35% VLT | 35% VLT |
| Back side windows | 35% VLT | Any darkness |
| Rear window | 35% VLT | Any darkness |
Not sure what these percentages look like? See window tint percentage examples or read about the AS-1 line.
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina allows 35% VLT on the front side windows of a car. That is darker than 15 states allow and lighter than 16 states permit, and 18 other states use the same limit. If you want to see what 35% VLT actually looks like on glass, compare it in our tint percentage examples.
North Carolina borders Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Film that is legal here can get you a ticket in Virginia, where the front-window limit is stricter. Shops in Georgia and South Carolina can legally install darker film than North Carolina 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.
| Neighboring state | Front sides | Back sides | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this page) | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Georgia | 28% | 15% | 15% |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% | 27% |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% |
Sedans vs SUVs, trucks and vans
North Carolina treats multi-purpose vehicles differently. A sedan or coupe can run 35% VLT on the back side windows and 35% VLT on the rear window, while SUVs, pickups and vans can run any darkness behind the driver and any darkness on the rear glass. The front side windows are the same for both (35% 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 North Carolina
The rule for the windshield is: Top 5 inches or above AS-1 line (whichever is longer). 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 North Carolina
Reflectivity is regulated too: tint on side and rear windows must be non-reflective with 20% or less light reflectance.. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina tint shops on TintingNearMe.com.
If you get a tint ticket
Driving with illegal tint, or applying illegal tint to a vehicle subject to NC inspection, is a Class 3 misdemeanor (fines generally up to $200 for a first offense). It is a defense if the tint is removed within 15 days and a DMV or Highway Patrol compliance certificate is shown.
No sticker for standard legal tint. Vehicles with a medical exception permit must display the DMV-issued sticker on the rear window; failing to display it is a $200 infraction. To see how North Carolina 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 side and rear windows must be non-reflective with 20% or less light reflectance.
- A meter reading above 32% is presumed to meet the 35% limit (3% tolerance)
- Red, yellow and amber tint is prohibited on all windows
- Since December 1, 2025, tint is no longer checked at NC safety inspections, and enforcement happens at traffic stops
- Drivers of tinted vehicles must lower the window on the side an officer approaches
- Limits do not apply to limousines, motor homes, ambulances or the rear window of pickups and other property-hauling vehicles
Stickers and certification
No sticker for standard legal tint. Vehicles with a medical exception permit must display the DMV-issued sticker on the rear window; failing to display it is a $200 infraction.
Penalties
Driving with illegal tint, or applying illegal tint to a vehicle subject to NC inspection, is a Class 3 misdemeanor (fines generally up to $200 for a first offense). It is a defense if the tint is removed within 15 days and a DMV or Highway Patrol compliance certificate is shown.
Compare penalties in every stateNorth Carolina medical exemption
A person who is photosensitive to visible light may apply in writing to the DMV Drivers Medical Evaluation Program, with their doctor completing the program's medical evaluation form. The permit is valid for up to five years, lists the vehicle, windows and allowed tint levels, must be kept in the vehicle, and is renewed with medical recertification. DMV issues a sticker that goes in the lower left corner of the rear window between the glass and film.
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: North Carolina 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
More on the Window Tint Laws YouTube channel.
North Carolina tint law questions
What is the darkest legal tint in North Carolina?
Sedans may go to 35% VLT on all side and rear windows, with meter readings above 32% presumed legal. SUVs, minivans and pickups may use any darkness on windows behind the driver.
Can I get a medical exemption in NC?
Yes. Apply to the DMV Drivers Medical Evaluation Program with your doctor's completed evaluation form. The permit lasts up to five years, must be kept in the vehicle, and comes with a rear-window sticker.
How much is a tint ticket in North Carolina?
Illegal tint is a Class 3 misdemeanor, which generally carries a fine of up to $200 for a first offense plus court costs. Removing the tint within 15 days and showing a compliance certificate is a defense.
Are rules different for SUVs in NC?
Yes. Multipurpose vehicles such as SUVs, minivans and pickups need 35% VLT on the front side windows but may use any darkness on windows behind the driver.
What tint colors are banned in NC?
Red, yellow and amber tint is prohibited, and all side and rear window film must be non-reflective with no more than 20% reflectance.
Sources and how we check
Governing law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-127 (as amended by S.L. 2025-47)
Tint laws change, and police and inspection stations can interpret them differently. Confirm with the North Carolina DMV or state police before you tint. Found something out of date? Tell us.