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Guide · Last reviewed October 2, 2026
Florida Window Tint Law, in Plain English
How dark you can legally tint each window on a car, truck or SUV in Florida, with links to the statutes this guide is based on.
At a glance
Legal tint by window
VLT (visible light transmittance) is the share of light the window lets through. Lower is darker. Florida measures the glass and film together.
| Window | Passenger cars (sedans, coupes, wagons) | Multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, trucks, vans) | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective material only, above the AS-1 line (top strip) | § 316.2952 | |
| Front side windows | Must let in at least 28% of light · reflectance no more than 25% | § 316.2953 | |
| Rear side windows | At least 15% · reflectance ≤ 35% | At least 6% · reflectance ≤ 35% | § 316.2954 |
| Back (rear) window | At least 15% · reflectance ≤ 35% | At least 6% · reflectance ≤ 35% | § 316.2954 |
| Perforated film (behind the driver) | At least 30% light transmittance | § 316.2954 | |
If the back window is made non-transparent, the vehicle must have outside mirrors on both sides. Factory-installed tinted glass that meets federal standard FMVSS 205 is exempt (§ 316.2957).
The rules, explained
Sedan or SUV? Why it matters
Florida law treats a multipurpose passenger vehicle differently from a passenger car. That means a vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer people that is built on a truck chassis or has special features for off-road use (§ 316.2951). Most SUVs, pickups and passenger vans qualify. Behind the driver, they can go down to 6% VLT. Sedans, coupes and wagons stop at 15%.
The windshield rule
You can't tint the whole windshield. Non-reflective material is allowed only along the top, above the AS-1 line, a small mark etched into the glass by the manufacturer (§ 316.2952).
What VLT means, and why factory glass matters
The legal number is the light that gets through the glass and the film combined. Most rear windows on SUVs and trucks already have dark factory privacy glass, and most "clear" glass also blocks some light. A film labeled 15% will read darker than 15% once it's on the glass. That's why a good installer meters the window instead of guessing.
How we meter tint
Before recommending a shade, we read the light transmittance of your glass with a tint meter, so the finished window lands inside the legal limit. Florida allows a measurement tolerance of plus or minus 3% (§ 316.2955). We don't treat that tolerance as a target.
The door-jamb label
Every installer must give you a label stating the film complies with Florida law, and must stick it on the inside left (driver's side) door jamb. It shows the film's trade name and the installer's business name (§ 316.2955). Factory glass that meets FMVSS 205 doesn't need one. Aftermarket tint with no label is a red flag.
Medical exemptions
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues medical exemption certificates to people with lupus, any autoimmune disease or another medical condition that requires limited exposure to light. The certificate allows darker tint on the windshield, side windows and windows behind the driver (§ 316.29545). It lists the specific vehicle, can't be transferred, and becomes void when that vehicle is sold or transferred. Check with FLHSMV for the current application process and fee.
Penalties
Driving a car with tint that's too dark is a noncriminal, nonmoving infraction. Selling or installing illegal tint is a second-degree misdemeanor (§ 316.2956), which is why a reputable shop won't install it, even if you ask.
Not legal advice. This page is a plain-English summary for customers, last reviewed October 2, 2026 against the 2026 Florida Statutes. Laws change. If you have a specific legal question, read the statutes below or ask an attorney or FLHSMV.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2951: Definitions
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2952: Windshields
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2953: Side windows
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2954: Windows behind the driver
- Fla. Stat. § 316.29545: Exemptions
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2955: Measurement, tolerance and labeling
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2956: Violations and penalties
- Fla. Stat. § 316.2957: Exemption for manufacturer-installed glass
Ready to tint? See car window tinting or home and business window film.
FAQ
Florida tint law FAQ
Is 20% tint legal in Florida?
Only behind the driver. Rear side and back windows can be 15% or lighter on cars, and 6% or lighter on multipurpose vehicles like SUVs, trucks and vans. Front side windows must be at least 28%, so 20% is too dark there.
Is 35% tint legal on front windows in Florida?
Yes. The front side windows must let in at least 28% of light, so a 35% total reading is legal, as long as the reflectance is no more than 25%.
Can I tint my windshield in Florida?
Only with non-reflective material along the top of the windshield, above the AS-1 line marked on the glass.
Why can SUVs go darker than sedans in Florida?
Florida law allows 6% light transmittance behind the driver on multipurpose passenger vehicles (built to carry 10 or fewer people on a truck chassis or with off-road features), versus 15% on passenger cars.
Can I get a medical exemption for darker tint in Florida?
Yes. FLHSMV issues medical exemption certificates to people with lupus, any autoimmune disease or other conditions that require limited exposure to light. The certificate is tied to a specific vehicle, can't be transferred, and becomes void when that vehicle is sold or transferred.
What happens if my tint is too dark?
Driving with illegal tint is a noncriminal, nonmoving traffic infraction. Selling or installing illegal tint is a second-degree misdemeanor for the seller or installer, which is why a reputable shop won't install it.
Get a legal tint that still keeps you cool
We meter your glass, show you real samples and install a shade that passes in Florida.