Illinois Window Tint Laws
Illinois sets no darkness limit behind the driver, but the front side limit (35% or 50%) depends on how dark the rear windows are; side mirrors are required with any rear tint.
Illinois Window Tint Laws Chart
Official Illinois Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under Illinois vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | Top 6 in. | Top 6 in. |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | 35% | 35% |
| Back Side Windows Rear passenger compartment | Any darkness | 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 Illinois
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).
Illinois Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides if any rear window is tinted.
Prohibited Tint Colors
625 ILCS 5/12-503 has no color restrictions.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
No label is required. An installer who tints under a medical exemption must keep a copy of the physician's certificate (12-503(a-10)(2)).
Medical Tint Exemptions
For lupus, actinic porokeratosis, light sensitivity from head trauma, albinism and similar conditions. Requires distinctive plates or a registration sticker (sec. 3-412(k)), a certificate from an Illinois-licensed physician kept in the vehicle and renewed every 4 years, and a copy sent to the Secretary of State. Not granted if sunglasses are enough. The installer must keep a copy of the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in Illinois? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in Illinois, front side windows must allow at least 35% light transmission (VLT). Back side windows allow Any darkness, 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 Illinois? +
Under Illinois law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: Top 6 in. (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through Illinois? +
While law enforcement in Illinois enforces the state vehicle code (625 ILCS 5/12-503), 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 Illinois? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in Illinois 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 Illinois, 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. Illinois statutes recognize a 5% on front side windows. to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does Illinois allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, Illinois 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 Illinois? +
A compliance label between the glass is not legally mandated in Illinois, but the vehicle must be capable of passing an optical light meter test during routine traffic stops or state inspections.
What are the penalties and fines for illegal window tint in Illinois? +
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 Illinois
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