Connecticut Window Tint Laws
Connecticut allows 35% VLT on front and rear side windows of cars; the rear window, and all rear windows of SUVs and vans, may be any darkness with side mirrors on both sides.
Connecticut Window Tint Laws Chart
Official Connecticut Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under Connecticut vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | Top 29" abv seat | Top 29" abv seat |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | 35% | 35% |
| Back Side Windows Rear passenger compartment | 35% | Any darkness |
| Rear Window (Back Glass) Back windshield | Any darkness | Any darkness |
| Reflectivity Limit Mirror sheen restriction | Max 20% | Max 20% |
Fines and Penalties for Illegal Tint in Connecticut
Operating a vehicle with tint darker than statutory limits is classified as a misdemeanor. Citations escalate significantly upon repeat violations:
First Conviction
Classified as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 and/or up to 10 days in jail.
Second Conviction
Fine of up to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Third Conviction
Criminal citation with a fine up to $300 and/or up to 3 months in jail (within 1 year).
Connecticut Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides to tint the rear window without limit (cars), or the rear side windows and rear window (trucks, multipurpose vehicles and motor homes).
Prohibited Tint Colors
Red and amber are banned in the windshield strip. No other color restrictions.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
On 1994 and newer vehicles, each window with added tint carries a sticker (max. 1 square inch) in the lower left corner with a registration number and certification of compliance. The manufacturer must register its film and sticker with the DMV.
Medical Tint Exemptions
Written application to the DMV Commissioner with documentation from a Connecticut-licensed physician or optometrist. It covers the affected person and the vehicle in which the person usually rides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in Connecticut? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in Connecticut, front side windows must allow at least 35% light transmission (VLT). Back side windows allow 35%, and the rear window requires Any darkness. For SUVs, vans, and trucks (MPVs), the rear side and back glass allow Any darkness.
Can you tint the front windshield in Connecticut? +
Under Connecticut law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: Top 29" abv seat (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through Connecticut? +
While law enforcement in Connecticut enforces the state vehicle code (Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-99g), officers generally extend interstate reciprocity to visiting motorists whose vehicles comply with the legal tint statutes of their home registration state. However, if the tint is excessively dark and prevents officers from seeing the driver, you can still be stopped for safety verification.
Is 20% or 5% (limo tint) legal in Connecticut? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in Connecticut because they block significantly more light than the statutory limit of 35% VLT. On SUVs, trucks, and vans, 20% or 5% limo tint is legally permissible only on the windows behind the driver (rear sides and back window).
How do police test window tint in Connecticut, and is there an official tolerance? +
Police officers and state troopers use handheld, certified light meters that slide over the roll-down window to measure total net light transmission. Connecticut statutes recognize a ±3%. to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does Connecticut allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, Connecticut permits medical tint waivers for individuals with certified photosensitivity or UV-reactive conditions (such as lupus or porphyria). An official affidavit signed by a licensed physician must be approved and carried in the vehicle at all times.
Do I need a compliance certification sticker on my windows in Connecticut? +
Yes. Connecticut statutes mandate that an identifying certification sticker must be affixed between the tint film and glass (typically on the lower driver-side window) to certify compliance with state regulations.
What are the penalties and fines for illegal window tint in Connecticut? +
Driving with non-compliant tint is classified as a traffic infraction or misdemeanor. First convictions carry fines starting around $100 plus court costs, typically accompanied by a 'fix-it' compliance order requiring removal or replacement of the illegal film.
Top-Rated Window Tint Shops in Connecticut
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