Pennsylvania window tint laws

Pennsylvania allows 70% VLT on the front side windows of a car. That is darker than 3 states allow and lighter than 41 states permit, and 5 other states use the same limit. If you want to see what 70% VLT actually looks like on glass, compare it in our tint percentage examples.

Pennsylvania borders Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. Film that is legal here can get you a ticket in New Jersey, where the front-window limit is stricter. Shops in Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia can legally install darker film than Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania treats multi-purpose vehicles differently. A sedan or coupe can run 70% VLT on the back side windows and 70% 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 (70% 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: 70% VLT (no darker aftermarket tint). Read more about how windshield limits work in our AS-1 line guide.

Reflectivity is regulated too: no numeric reflectivity percentage is set, but tint that gives a mirrored or metallic appearance or prevents seeing into the vehicle is not allowed.. 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 Pennsylvania tint shops on TintingNearMe.com.

Illegal tint is a summary offense under the Vehicle Code (base fine $25 plus court costs and fees, typically totaling over $100). Vehicles with non-compliant tint also fail annual safety inspection.

No tint sticker is required on standard vehicles. Film on the rear window of pre-1998 passenger cars must carry a label with the manufacturer's name or registration number and 'Complies with VESC-20'. To see how Pennsylvania 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.