Texas Window Tint Laws | What's The Darkest Legal Tint?

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Window tint laws are made for the protection of pedestrians and drivers. Texas window tint laws are made with the same intent as the other tint laws from different states.

Window tints can affect and obstruct the driver's ability to view the road, and the cars around him. 

Because accidents are to be avoided at any costs, the law enforcement is engaged in making window tint laws as best as possible to make sure everyone is safe, the drivers, and pedestrians alike.

Every state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to window tinting laws. If you want to take part in the traffic as a driver in the state of Texas, then you want to make sure you abide by the state laws. 

This post will state every window tint law there is to know in the state of Texas. Who is exempted from these laws, what percentage you can use for your window tint, and more will be provided to you. 

After finishing this article, you will be confident that you know everything there is to know about window tint laws in Texas, and you can drive your vehicle with security and confidence. 

In case any officer pulls you over, there is no need for worries as you will be informed and hopefully abide by all their regulations, and thus not be fined without reason.
Texas Window Tint Laws For Cars
Window tint laws for Texas are as following:
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  • Windshield → a 25% VLT tint or more is allowed above the top 5 inches or manufacturer’s AS-1 line 

  • Front Side Windows → at least 25% of light in 

  • Rear Windows → must allow at least 25% of light in if you do not have side mirrors, and any darkness if you have them.

  • Back Window → any VLT % is allowed

  • Tint Reflection → no more than 25%

  • Other Restrictions → red, amber, and blue colors are not allowed on your tinted windows. 

  • Certificates → Tint manufacturers are required to certify the film they sell in the state of Texas

  • Stickers → required for identification of legal tinting between the film & glass on the driver’s side window.
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  • Medical Exemptions → are allowed in the state of Texas for window film.

Tint Percentage For Sedans in Texas

Windshield → a 25% VLT tint or more is allowed above the top 5 inches or manufacturer’s AS-1 line 

Front Side Windows → at least 25% of light in 

Rear Windows →  must have 25% VLT if you do not have side mirrors, and any darkness if you have them.
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Back Window → any VLT % is allowed

Tint Percentage For SUVs and Vans in Texas

Windshield → a 25% VLT tint or more is allowed above the top 5 inches or manufacturer’s AS-1 line 

Front Side Windows → at least 25% of light in 

Rear Windows → must have 25% VLT if you do not have side mirrors, and any darkness if you have them.
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Back Window → any VLT % is allowed

Texas Window Tint Exemption

There are few categories of vehicles that fit into the tint exemption. 

  • Law Enforcement Vehicles

This category is exempted from the other type of vehicles because their situation might be different than regular drivers.

Because of the nature of their work and the danger of it, they are allowed to have a different percentage of window tint installed. 

  • Medical Exceptions

This category is also exempted because of the nature of some diseases, and the issues they can cause.

For example, people that might have eye-related diseases will be a great concern for them to drive safely in traffic if the tint is not the percentage advised by the doctor.

They need a darker percentage than regular drivers because their eyes can be affected by the sun.

There are also people with skin diseases that can be affected by the sun such as lupus. 

They are in need of great protection from the UV rays and thus cannot afford to be exposed to sun rays for a long period of time. 

The law allows for the two front windows a darker percentage than 25 for people with certain medical conditions but they will need to have a medical exemption.

They will need to obtain the medical exemption from a licensed physician or optometrist with the advice and requirements that are necessary for their certain condition.

Drivers must always carry this medical paper with them and present it when they are requested by the law enforcement.

  • Transportation Category

This category is also exempted from regular window tint laws in Texas.

Again, because of the nature of their industry, vehicles such as taxis, limousines, and buses can get different tint percentages to be installed on their vehicles. 

Usually, Limousines can go as far as 5% tint percentage which is the lowest and darkest of all.  

Texas Window Tint Sticker
You would only need one tint sticker to your vehicle no matter how many windows are tinted, according to the Texas Transportation Code.

This has to be placed at the rearmost bottom corner of the driver’s side window of the car.
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This label needs to include the following text - “Complies with TRC Chapter 547”. 

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Film Certification
You would also need to make sure that the window film manufacturer has a certification in the state of Texas. This can be found by contacting the car dealer if you bought the car with tinted windows. 
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Otherwise, if you plan to tint your windows make sure you ask the Window Film Company their certification status in this state. 

Conclusion on Texas Window Tint Laws
In conclusion for Texas window tint laws we need to know that there are specific requirements for windshield, front side, rear side, and back windows. There are rules on the reflection, certificates, and stickers as well. 

Medical exemptions are also available for those in need, that are suffering from a certain disease. 

Law enforcement and transportation categories are also exempted from these rules.  

These laws are made for the safety and protection of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, and for the health benefit that comes when getting protection from Sun’s rays. 
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It is always wise to double-check with your local authorities for rules and regulations. 

Another tip is to own a window tint meter in your vehicle at all times in order to be sure that you are complying with state laws.

FAQ's

What are the laws on window tinting in Texas?

The Window tint law in Texas states that you are allowed to have 25% or more VLT above the top 5 inches on the windshield. 

For side windows, the same - 25% or more VLT is allowed. 

For backside windows - any VLT is allowed. 

For Rear Windows - any vehicles with side mirrors are allowed to have any VLT. 

Are police exempt from window tint laws in Texas?

The Police Department and the Law Enforcement with all their vehicles are exempted from the regular window tint laws in Texas. The same applies to medical exemptions and some vehicles in the transportation industry such as limousines, taxis, buses, etc.

Can you be pulled over for window tint in Texas?

Yes, you can be pulled over for window tint in Texas if your vehicle is not tinted within the limits of the state. A ticket can be issued to you if caught. 

What is the darkest legal tint in Texas?

The darkest legal tint in Texas is 25%. The backside windows are allowed to have any tint percentage you would like. 

Is 5 tint legal in Texas?

5% tint is illegal in Texas, except for the backside windows.

Is 15% tint legal in Texas?

15% tint is illegal in Texas except for the backside windows.

Is 20 tint legal in Texas?

20% tint is illegal in Texas except for the backside windows.

Is 25 tint legal in Texas?

25% tint is legal in Texas. 

Is 35 tint legal in Texas?

Yes, 35 tint is legal in Texas. 

Can you tint windshield in Texas?

Yes, you are allowed to tint windshields in Texas with a VLT of 25% or more on the top 5 inches. 

Is it legal to tint Windshield in Texas?

Yes, it is legal to tint Windshield in Texas as long as you respect the law that states that you are allowed to have a VLT of 25% or more on the top 5 inches.

References 

Window Tint Medical Exemption - Texas Department Of Public Safety 

​www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/window-tinting-standards

https://iwfa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/State-Law-chart-2021.pdf 


Info About The State Of Texas

Texas is the second-largest state in the United States by both area and population with  Austin being the state capital of Texas.

The most populous city in Texas is Houston while also being the fourth largest in the USA.

San Antonio is the second-most populous city in Texas and the seventh-largest in the United States.

Dallas is the third most populous city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.

Population:

The state of Texas is home to 26 million people, and the state’s economy is the second-largest in the United States.

Area:

Texas covers an area of 268,820 square miles, making it the second-largest state in the United States.

Main Cities:

Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi,  Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Frisco, Irving, Garland, McKinney, Amarillo, Grand Prairie,    Brownsville, Killeen, Midland, Denton, Round Rock, Pasadena, Carrollton, McAllen, Waco, Mesquite, Odessa, Richardson, Pearland, Abilene, College Station, Sugar Land, Lewisville, Beaumont, The Woodlands, League City, Allen, Tyler, Edinburg, New Braunfels, Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Conroe, Georgetown, Bryan, Cedar Park,   Mission, Temple, Flower Mound, Longview, Leander, Atascocita, Pharr, Baytown,   Missouri City, Mansfield, Farmers Branch, Rowlett.

Main Counties:   

Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Collin, Denton, Hidalgo, El Paso, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Williamson, Cameron, Brazoria, Nueces, Bell, Galveston, Lubbock, Webb, McLennan, Jefferson, Smith, Brazos, Hays, Ellis, Johnson, Midland, Guadalupe, Ector, Comal, Parker, Taylor, Randall, Grayson, Wichita, Kaufman, Gregg, Tom Green, Potter, Rockwall, Hunt, Bowie, Victoria, Angelina, Bastrop, Liberty, Orange, Henderson, Coryell, Walker.

Official State Website:

https://www.texas.gov/

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