Oregon window tint laws

Oregon 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.

Oregon borders California, Idaho, Nevada and Washington. Film that is legal here can get you a ticket in California, where the front-window limit is stricter. Shops in Washington can legally install darker film than Oregon 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.

Oregon 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.

The rule for the windshield is: Tint on top 6 inches only. Measure down from the top edge of the glass. If your windshield also has an AS-1 mark, our AS-1 line guide explains how the two compare.

Reflectivity is regulated too: side and rear window tint may reflect no more than 13% of light, and mirror-finish products are prohibited.. 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 Oregon 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 Oregon tint shops on TintingNearMe.com.

Operating with illegal tint, or applying it, is a Class B traffic violation (presumptive fine $265, maximum $2,000). A court may dismiss or reduce the fine if the tint is corrected and proof is shown.

No window sticker is required, but the installer must give a certificate listing the installer, the film's VLT and reflectance, and a statement that total VLT is at least 35%. The certificate must be kept in the vehicle. To see how Oregon 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.