
RHODE ISLAND TINT LAW 2023 (RI)
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Rhode Island Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Passenger Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- Front seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
- Back seat side windows: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
- Rear window: up to 70% tint darkness allowed
On this page we have done our best to collect all of the legal information necessary about the 2023 Rhode Island tint law, including how dark the tint is allowed to be and how reflective the tint is allowed to be in Rhode Island. Aside from the basics, like tint percentages, there are also additional car window tinting rules and regulations in Rhode Island that we have made available.
Rhode Island window tint law was first put into place in 2000 with Rhode Island being the 36th of the 50 states to enact these tinting laws.
What does VLT Mean according to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.
HOW MUCH DOES CAR WINDOW TINTING COST? The cost of tinting your car windows can be very affordable. If you want to learn how much it costs to tint your car, click here.

Rhode Island Tint Law – Legal Tint Limit For Multi-Purpose Vehicles
- Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- 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

Want to D-I-Y?
How to tint car windows. To D-I-Y, check out how to tint car windows yourself here.
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.
Other Rhode Island Window Tint law Rules And Regulations:
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island? Left side mirror and Windshield mirror are required in Rhode Island.
- Is colored tint illegal in Rhode Island? All tint colors are allowed in Rhode Island.
- What are the Window Tint Certification Rules in Rhode Island? Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in Rhode Island.
- Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in Rhode Island? No sticker to identify legal tinting is required.
- Are there Medical Exemptions in Rhode Island for Window Tint? Rhode Island allows medical exemptions for special tint. For more details about the specific terms of the exemption, consult your state law.
Always remember that Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island was last updated on January 5th, 2023. Tinting laws in Rhode Island were enacted in 2000. 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!
Rhode Island Window Tint Law Medical Exemption References
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles issues stickers that must be applied to the driver’s side window. Exemptions are issued to vehicle owners or legal guardians of persons required to be shielded from the sun. Affidavits signed by a physician or optometrist must be provided to DMV.
For more information regarding window tint medical exemptions in _____ you can check out this resource:
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 Rhode Island Information
Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the United States. Rhode Island is the smallest in area, the eighth least populous, but the second-most densely populated of the 50 US states behind New Jersey. Rhode Island is bordered by Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north and east, and it shares a water boundary with New York’s Long Island to the southwest. Rhode Island’s official nickname is “The Ocean State”, a reference to the State’s geography since the state has several large bays and inlets that amount to about 14% of its total area.

What is the Capital of Rhode Island
The capital of Rhode Island is Providence
What is the population of Rhode Island
The population of Rhode Island is 1,059,361 according to Wikipedia as of 2019.
What is the area of Rhode Island
The area of Rhode Island is 1,214 square miles and ranks as the smallest state in the United States!
Rhode Island Wikipedia Page
Checkout Rhode Island’s Wikipedia page to learn all kinds of cool facts about the state!
Official Rhode Island state Website
If you want to learn more about the laws in Rhode Island check out their official Website Here
What are the main cities located in Rhode Island?
Providence, Newport, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, North Kingstown, East Providence, Narragansett, Westerly, East Greenwich, Cumberland, Bristol, South Kingstown, North Providence, Smithfield, Coventry, Portsmouth, Middletown, Central Falls, West Warwick, Barrington, Tiverton, Johnston, Charlestown, Lincoln, Jamestown, Scituate, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, Little Compton, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Kingston, Warren, Wickford, Glocester, Exeter, Hopkinton, West Greenwich, Richmond, Rumford, Pawtuxet Village, Riverside, Chepachet, Foster, Saunderstown, Kingston Station, Lime Rock, New Shoreham, Bristol Ferry
What are the main counties located in Rhode Island
Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, Washington