The allowable darkness of tinting applied to vehicle windshields and front side windows is regulated by state laws. This legal limit is typically expressed as a percentage of Visible Light Transmission (VLT), representing how much light passes through the tinted film. For example, a 35% VLT tint allows 35% of visible light to enter the vehicle. Lower VLT percentages indicate darker tints, while higher percentages indicate lighter tints.
Regulating window tint darkness promotes safety by ensuring driver visibility, particularly at night and in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, limitations on tint darkness assist law enforcement officers in visually identifying vehicle occupants. Historically, concerns about visibility and security have driven the development of these regulations, which vary considerably across jurisdictions. These regulations balance drivers’ desires for privacy, sun protection, and vehicle aesthetics with the need for public safety.