Why are tinted windows illegal?

Updated: May 14

Tinted windows aren't outright illegal in most places — but they’re heavily regulated, and here's why:

Visibility inside the vehicle is important during traffic stops. Police need to see who’s inside and what they’re doing, especially for safety reasons during nighttime stops or high-risk situations.
Super dark tints can hide weapons, open containers, or even a person trying to evade detection.

Very dark tints can impair your vision, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
This can increase the risk of accidents — particularly when backing up or driving on unlit roads.

Tints that are too dark can prevent drivers from making eye contact with pedestrians or cyclists, which is especially dangerous at crosswalks or intersections.

Some jurisdictions want to ensure that license plates and occupants can be identified clearly through the windshield and side windows, especially for things like toll booths or surveillance cameras.

Each state (and country) has specific laws that set limits on how dark or reflective tint can be. These are usually based on something called:

VLT (Visible Light Transmission) – the percentage of visible light that passes through the tinted glass.

And this is why tinted windows are illegal.

Window	Legal VLT Range
Front side windows	Usually 35% or higher
Rear side windows	Often less restricted (can be darker)
Rear windshield	Also varies — some states allow limo tint
Windshield	Usually only top 4–6 inches (visor strip)