Worried you’ll get a ticket for tinted car or truck windows? What Texas law says.
Window tint on your vehicle can help reduce glare and harmful UV rays from the sun, however, in Texas, there are requirements to how tinted your windows can be.
The Texas Department of Public Safety lists specific requirements — and exemptions — for the different window sections on your vehicle.
If your window tint does not meet regulation, it could mean your car will fail its yearly inspection or you could get a ticket.
All vehicles tinted must have a label on the driver’s side window stating that the tint is within regulation.
Here’s what to know about window tint for each part of your vehicle’s windows.
Who is exempt from window tint regulations?
Under the Texas Transportation Code, the following are exempt from tint regulations:
- Vehicles used for law enforcement purposes
- Vehicles used for passenger transport on a regular basis for a fee, like taxis and limousines
- Vehicles used for medical reasons
How tinted can my windshield be in Texas?
For windshield tint, pay attention to your vehicle’s AS-1 line. This line is about four to six inches from the top of the windshield that can be tinted.
- Tint on the windshield must be applied above the AS-1 line, according to the Texas Administration Code. If there is no AS-1 line, tint must end five inches below the top of the windshield.
- Windshield tint cannot be red, amber or blue.
Must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
Must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
How tinted can front side windows be?
Window tint is allowed for windows left and right of the driver if:
- The tint has a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
- Has a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
How tinted can back side windows be?
Back side windows are completely exempt from window tint regulation under the Texas Transportation Code.
How tinted can rear windows be?
If a vehicle has an outside mirror on each side of the vehicle that reflects a roadway view of 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle, there are no restrictions on rear window tint, according to the Texas Transportation Code.
If the vehicle does not have specified outside mirrors, rear window tint must:
- Light transmittance value of 25% or more.
- Luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 12:15 PM.
