California Tint Laws (2026) | Is Your Window Tint Legal?

California has some of the strictest vehicle codes in the country regarding visibility. What passes in Arizona or Nevada can get you pulled over in Los Angeles or the Bay Area in a heartbeat. The Highway Patrol isn’t shy about handing out citations for this.

The problem is that the rules are confusing. You hear different things from your buddies, the tint shop guy, and random forums. Some people say a “light” tint is okay on the front. Others swear that a doctor’s note lets you run limo tint all around.

We are going to clear that up.

Here is exactly what the law says, stripped of the legal jargon, so you can decide what to put on your car without worrying about flashing lights in your rearview mirror.

Key Takeaways

• Front Windows are Strict: You legally need 70% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) on front side windows. Since factory glass is already slightly tinted, adding almost any dark film here makes you illegal.
• Back Windows are Open: You can go as dark as you want on the rear side windows and the back windshield. Limo tint is completely fine here.
• Medical Exemptions are Limited: A doctor’s note does not allow you to blackout your front windows. It typically only permits clear, colorless UV-blocking film.
• It’s a Primary Offense: Police can pull you over specifically for your tint. You don’t need to be speeding to get stopped for this.

What Is VLT and Why Should You Care?

Before we look at the specific windows, you have to understand the metric everyone uses. It’s called VLT, or Visible Light Transmission.

This confuses people because the percentages work backward compared to what you might expect.VLT measures how much light gets through the window.

• 70% VLT means 70% of the light gets in. This is very light.
• 5% VLT means only 5% of the light gets in. This is “Limo Tint.” It is very dark.

So, when you are looking at California laws, remember that a higher number means a lighter window. If the law says 70%, and you put on 35%, you are way darker than the limit.

Window Tint Darkness Limits (The Core Rules)

California breaks the car down into three sections. The rules are totally different for the front of the car versus the back. It doesn’t matter if you drive a sedan, an SUV, or a truck. The rules apply to the windows, not the vehicle type.

Here is the breakdown based on California Vehicle Code (CVC) Division 12, Section 26708.

What Is Allowed on the Windshield?

You cannot tint your entire windshield. That is a massive safety hazard at night.

However, you are allowed to have a strip of tint at the very top. This is often called an “eyebrow” strip. It helps block the sun when it’s low on the horizon without messing up your view of the road.

• The Rule: You can use non-reflective tint on the top 4 inches of the windshield.
• The Exception: You can apply clear, colorless, transparent film to the rest of the windshield for UV protection. But it cannot reduce visibility or change the color of the glass.

What Is the Law for Front Side Windows?

This is where 90% of drivers get into trouble. This covers the driver’s door window and the front passenger’s door window.

The law says these windows must allow 70% of light in (70% VLT).

Here is the catch. Most modern cars come from the factory with “dyed” glass. If you roll your window down halfway and look at the edge, you will see it isn’t perfectly clear. It usually has a slight green or blue hue. This factory glass usually reads at about 70% to 80% VLT right off the assembly line.

This creates a math problem.

If your window is already at 75% VLT from the factory, and you add a “light” 50% tint film on top of it, the combined darkness drops way below the legal 70% limit.

Technically, to stay 100% legal in California, you can usually only apply clear UV film (around 88% VLT) to the front side windows. Even a light “smoke” tint often pushes you into illegal territory.

How Dark Can Rear Side Windows Be?

California is very relaxed about the back of the car.

• The Rule: You can use any darkness you want on the back side windows.
• Options: You can do 35% for a classy look, or 5% limo tint for total privacy. The state does not care about VLT here.

Can You Tint the Rear Windshield?

This refers to the big piece of glass in the back of the car.

• The Rule: You can use any darkness you want.
• The Condition: Your vehicle must have working side mirrors on both the left and right sides. If you block the view out the back window, you need those side mirrors to see behind you. Since almost every modern car has dual side mirrors, you are likely good to go.

Are Reflective or Colored Tints Legal?

You might have seen cars with windows that look like mirrors or have a weird red shine to them. Those are almost certainly illegal.

Reflection (Mirrored Tint)

California law explicitly prohibits tint that is more reflective than standard window glass.

The goal here is safety. If your windows are essentially mirrors, they can reflect harsh sunlight or headlights directly into the eyes of other drivers.

• Verdict: No metallic, mirrored, or chrome-finish tints allowed on front or back side windows.

Restricted Colors

You cannot just pick any color of the rainbow. The vehicle code bans tint colors that could be confused with traffic lights or emergency vehicles.

• Banned Colors: Red, Amber, and Blue.

Stick to standard charcoal, gray, or black shades.

How Do Medical Exemptions Work?

There is a persistent myth that if you have sensitive eyes or a skin condition, a doctor can write you a note that lets you drive around with 5% tint on your windshield.

This is mostly false.

California does have a medical exemption clause (CVC 26708(e)). If you have a condition like Lupus, melanoma, or severe photosensitivity, you can apply for an exemption. You need a letter signed by a licensed dermatologist, surgeon, or physician stating the medical necessity.

However, the law states the material applied must be “clear, colorless, and transparent.”

The exemption allows you to install high-quality UV-blocking film on the front windows and windshield to protect your skin. It does not explicitly allow you to install dark, light-blocking tint that obscures the driver from view. The primary goal of the law is UV protection, not darkness.

You must carry the doctor’s letter in the car at all times. If you get pulled over, showing the letter might help, but if your windows are pitch black, the officer can still cite you because the exemption specifies “clear” material.

Sticker and Certificate Requirements

If you hit someone jaywalking in California, fault is rarely all-or-nothing. Both drivers and pedestrians have legal duties to exercise reasonable care. Both can be held accountable when they fail to do so. California’s pure comparative negligence system ensures that compensation reflects each party’s actual degree of fault.

Sticker and Certificate Requirements

This is a detail most drivers miss, but it’s in the code.

When a shop installs tint on your front windows (even the clear legal one), they are supposed to give you a certificate. This certificate states that the film meets the VLT and material requirements of California law.

They are also supposed to place a small sticker on the driver’s side window (usually hidden under the seal or in the corner) showing the manufacturer’s name.

Does every cop check for the sticker? No. But if you are fighting a ticket in court, having that certificate from the installer can be the difference between paying a fine and getting it dismissed.

Penalties: How Much is a Tint Ticket in CA?

So you decided to risk it. You put 20% tint on your front windows because it looks amazing. Then you roll past a CHP officer on the freeway.

California treats illegal tint as a primary offense. They can stop you just for the tint; you don’t have to be speeding.

The “Fix-It” Ticket

Most of the time, a first offense results in a “correctable violation,” commonly known as a fix-it ticket.

Here is the process:

1. You get the citation.
2. You have to peel the tint off your front windows.
3. You take the car to a police station or CHP office. An officer inspects the windows and signs off on the ticket.
4. You mail the signed ticket to the court with a processing fee (usually around $25).

It is a hassle, and you lose the money you spent on the tint job, but the fine itself is small.

The Real Fine

If you ignore the ticket, or if you get caught a second time and the officer decides not to be nice, it becomes a non-correctable violation.

Fines generally start around $197 but can climb higher depending on the county and additional court fees.

For the most accurate, current fee schedules, check the California Courts site.

FAQ: Common Tint Questions

Is 35% tint legal in California?

On the front side windows? No. 35% is significantly darker than the 70% limit. On the back windows? Yes, 35% is perfectly legal.

Is ceramic tint legal?

Yes. “Ceramic” refers to the technology of the film, not the darkness. Ceramic tint is actually great for California because it blocks a huge amount of heat (infrared light) even at very light shades. You can have a legal 70% ceramic tint that blocks more heat than a cheap 5% dyed tint.

Can I tint my front windshield?

Only the top 4 inches. You can put clear UV film on the rest, but you cannot have a full tinted windshield (like 50% or 35%) anywhere in the state.

Does California really enforce tint laws?

Yes. Enforcement varies by city and county, but the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is known for being strict about front window tint. It is an easy reason for them to initiate a traffic stop.

The Bottom Line

California tint laws are actually pretty simple once you strip away the confusion.

Keep the front windows light (basically clear), and you can do whatever you want with the back windows.

If you are going to tint your car, your best bet is to invest in high-quality ceramic tint. It gives you the heat rejection you need for the California summer without forcing you to go dark on the front windows and risk a ticket.

If you are ready to get your car protected, don’t just buy a roll of film off the internet. Go to a professional shop that knows the local codes. They can show you the difference between 70% and 35% in person, so you know exactly what you are getting.

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