If you have found yourself wondering “texas window tint law, what is the legal tint in texas? you are not alone. Texas window tint laws are simple to understand, and they’re also reasonable in some ways and confusing in others. Getting them wrong can have consequences ranging from a citation to a safety hazard. This guide translates the law into plain English, explains the technical terms and offers helpful pointers so you can choose the right film and continue to comply with the law in 2025.
Quick summary: the lowdown on legal tint in Texas
The front side windows must have at least 25% VLT. Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield if the vehicle has an AS-1 line or a line extending from the letters AS- and no greater than 5 inches from the top of the windshield. Rear side windows and the rear window can be of any darkness level and there is no restriction, although most vehicles are sold with a certain level of tint on these windows and there may be no limit if your vehicle is equipped with dual outside mirrors. The reflectivity of front side windows is also limited, not to exceed a luminous reflectance of 25%. These rules are controlled by Texas regulations.
What “VLT” and “AS-1 line” mean (short and helpful)
VLT is an abbreviation for Visible Light Transmission, which is the percent of visible light that passes through glass plus film. Lower VLT equals darker glass. The AS-1 line is a marking on your windshield showing you where manufacturers have approved certain types of treatment. Texas allows tint above that line or up to the top five inches of your windshield if there is no AS-1 line. The practical effect is that you can add a sun strip, but the main windshield must continue to be quite clear.
Window-by-window breakdown
Front Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 inches. Anything less than that, particularly tinting the main portion of the windshield, is not permitted without a specific medical exemption.
Front side windows (driver and passenger)
Front side windows must allow not less than 25% VLT. That means films labeled 20%, 15%, or “limo tint,” when applied to the front side windows of a car in Texas, are illegal. Reflective films are also limited because mirrors and glare matter to enforcement.
Back side windows and rear window
Back side windows and the rear window are far more lenient. If your car is equipped with exterior mirrors on both sides which reflect to the rear for a distance of at least 200 feet, there are no restrictions as to darkness. If you do not have dual mirrors, the rear window must adhere to the 25% VLT and reflectance rules as well.
Types of exemptions
Medical exemptions
Texas recognizes that a few medical conditions, such as photophobia, medication reactions, or certain skin conditions, may warrant darker tints on front windows and windshield space. To be eligible for a medical exemption, you need to secure a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist verifying the patient’s name and medical necessity. Keep the doctor’s note or exemption in your car because you may be asked to show it if you are pulled over or during an inspection. The DPS offers documentation on what is acceptable.
A typical medical exemption process includes obtaining a written statement from a licensed physician or optometrist, ensuring the statement verifies the patient’s name and the medical necessity for darker tint, and keeping the doctor’s note or exemption document in your vehicle at all times.
Enforcement and penalties: what to expect
Police typically measure tint with a VLT meter. If your film is darker than legally allowed, officers can write a citation and demand that you remove it. Multiple offenses, or illegal dark tinting combined with other violations, can increase fines and may, in rare cases, lead to your vehicle being impounded. Beyond fines, illegally dark tint can be a safety issue because it can reduce visibility at night and hinder first responders who need to see inside in emergencies.
How to remain legal and comfortable
Purchase film that features a clear, labeled VLT rating and ask for a certificate from the installer that indicates your film’s tested VLT. Keep this certificate in your glovebox. Remember that a film reads differently on different manufacturers’ glass, so 5% on one vehicle may look slightly different on another. If you want more sun protection without breaking the law, consider ceramic films with a VLT within legal limits; they cut down on heat and UV more effectively than basic dyed films while remaining legal.
How to test your tint at home
You can do a rough test by doing a side-by-side interior brightness comparison to an identical car without tint during the day, but there is no way to get a definite measurement without a calibrated VLT meter. Many reputable tint shops will test with a meter and print a VLT report for you. If you are worried, keep this report in your glovebox.
Selecting an installer and avoiding scams
Hire installers who provide manufacturer labels and a written VLT certification. Avoid shops that pressure you into selecting “military-grade” or illegal dark tints and refuse to explain legal limits. A good installer will describe how the film looks in daylight and at night and will place your label on whatever material is used for the installation.
My take (quick anecdote from a content pro)
In the years I have spent writing on vehicle safety topics and consulting with shop owners, I have seen customers choose tints that were too dark because a sample swatch looked cool in the showroom. In many cases that level of darkness caused nighttime glare and resulted in a ticket. Choosing the legal 25% on the front and using top-tier ceramic film provides privacy and heat reduction without the common downsides.
Conclusion: make the sensible choice
If you are wondering whether you can get pulled over for tint in Texas or what percent is legal on the front windows, keep these key points in mind. Understanding the texas window tint law helps clarify that front side windows must have at least 25% VLT. Windshield tint is permitted only above the AS-1 line or the top five inches. Rear window tints are more flexible if your vehicle has two exterior mirrors. Medical exceptions are possible with proper documentation. Follow these rules, retain your paperwork, and choose an installer who will certify the VLT to protect yourself legally while enjoying the benefits of tint.
FAQs
Is 20% tint on the front side windows legal in Texas?
No. Texas requires 25% VLT at minimum on the front side windows. A 20% tint is too dark and could result in being pulled over.
Can I have the whole windshield darkened slightly?
No. The only permitted tint on the windshield is a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line or the top five inches. Tinting the main portion of the windshield is not allowed unless you have a medical exemption.
Are those rules the same for an SUV or a truck?
Yes. VLT rules for front side windows and windshield strips apply regardless of body style. Rear window limits remain less stringent when dual exterior mirrors are fitted.
What should I bring if it is medically necessary for me to have the windows darker?
Keep a signed statement from your physician or optometrist in the vehicle that includes the patient’s name and a description of the medical necessity for tinted windows. Retain copies of any forms filed to claim the exemption.
How do police measure tint?
Police use a calibrated VLT meter. If the measured VLT is less than required by law, you can be ticketed and ordered to remove the tint. Installer documentation can help but does not override a measured VLT reading.
