Vermont Window Tint Laws
Vermont bans any tint on the windshield and front side windows without a medical exemption; rear side windows and the rear window may be tinted only with an outside mirror on each side.
Vermont Window Tint Laws Chart
Official Vermont Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under Vermont vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| 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 Vermont
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).
Vermont Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides to tint the rear side windows or the rear window.
Prohibited Tint Colors
23 V.S.A. §1125 has no color restrictions.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
23 V.S.A. §1125 does not require a label or compliance certificate.
Medical Tint Exemptions
Granted by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles with a document from a physician or optometrist. Renewed every 4 years (no new certificate if the condition is permanent and stable). It only allows tinting the front side windows. It expires when the car is sold, and the seller must remove the tint.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in Vermont? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in Vermont, front side windows must allow at least Not allowed 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 Vermont? +
Under Vermont law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: Not allowed (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through Vermont? +
While law enforcement in Vermont enforces the state vehicle code (23 V.S.A. §1125), 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 Vermont? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in Vermont because they block significantly more light than the statutory limit of Not allowed 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 Vermont, 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. Vermont statutes recognize a Not applicable. to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does Vermont allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, Vermont 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 Vermont? +
A compliance label between the glass is not legally mandated in Vermont, 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 Vermont? +
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 Vermont
Certified installers guaranteeing 100% compliance with statutory VLT standards and state certification labels.
Vermont Custom Auto Service
📍 South Burlington, VT
Autowerks Paint & Collision
📍 Bennington, VT
A-1 Windshield & Vinyl Repair
📍 Jeffersonville, VTFind Tint Shops by City in Vermont
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