Texas Window Tint Laws
Texas allows 25% VLT and up to 25% reflectance on front side windows; rear side windows are unrestricted, and the rear window is unrestricted with outside mirrors on both sides.
Texas Window Tint Laws Chart
Official Texas Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under Texas vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | AS-1 line or top 5 in. (25%) | AS-1 line or top 5 in. (25%) |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | 25% | 25% |
| 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 Texas
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).
Texas Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides to tint the rear window without limit.
Prohibited Tint Colors
Red, blue and amber are banned on the windshield.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
A label is required between film and glass. DPS requires one per vehicle, in the lower rear corner of the driver's window, reading 'Complies with TTC 547.613 (b)'. The film manufacturer must certify to DPS that its film meets the limits.
Medical Tint Exemptions
It is a legal defense (§547.613(e)). A statement signed by a physician or optometrist, kept in the vehicle, is enough. DPS stopped issuing certificates on January 1, 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in Texas? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in Texas, front side windows must allow at least 25% 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 Texas? +
Under Texas law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: AS-1 line or top 5 in. (25%) (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through Texas? +
While law enforcement in Texas enforces the state vehicle code (Tex. Transp. Code §547.613 (also §§547.609, 547.004, 542.401)), 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 Texas? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in Texas because they block significantly more light than the statutory limit of 25% 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 Texas, 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. Texas statutes recognize a 3% on front side windows (§547.613(d), at DPS discretion). to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does Texas allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, Texas 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 Texas? +
Yes. Texas 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 Texas? +
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 Texas
Certified installers guaranteeing 100% compliance with statutory VLT standards and state certification labels.
Tritek Window Tinting & Paint Protection
📍 Garland, TX
Elite Texas Window Tinting & Bed Lining
📍 Houston, TX
Lonestar Auto Boutique / Lonestar Tint
📍 San Antonio, TX
Ish Window Tint - Window Tint Services
📍 San Antonio, TX
Integrity Window Tinting of New Braunfels
📍 New Braunfels, TXFind Tint Shops by City in Texas
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