Arkansas
Arkansas Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Arkansas law sets the front side window minimum at 25% VLT for all vehicles. Rear side windows follow 25% VLT for passenger cars but allow 10% VLT for trucks, buses, motor homes, and multipurpose vehicles (SUVs/vans). The rearmost window may be 10% VLT for all vehicle types.
What is the legal tint limit in Arkansas?
Arkansas window tint law is set out in Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306. The law draws a clear distinction between passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, vans, trucks, and motor homes) for the rear windows.
Understanding VLT is essential: VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission, the percentage of visible light that passes through the combined glass and film. A higher VLT percentage is a lighter, less dark tint, while a lower VLT percentage is darker. So 25% is noticeably dark, and 10% is very dark (often called "limo tint").
For front side windows, the rule is the same for every vehicle type: at least 25% VLT must pass through. This is among the more permissive front-window limits in the country.
For back side windows, passenger cars must meet the same 25% VLT minimum. Trucks, buses, motor homes, and multipurpose vehicles (SUVs/vans) may go as dark as 10% VLT on the rear side windows.
The rearmost window (back glass) may be 10% VLT for all vehicle types, so sedans, pickups, and SUVs alike can have very dark rear glass.
| Window | Passenger Cars | Trucks, Buses, Motor Homes, MPVs |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows | 25% VLT | 25% VLT |
| Back side windows | 25% VLT | 10% VLT |
| Rear (rearmost) window | 10% VLT | 10% VLT |
| Windshield | Top strip only (5 in max) | Top strip only (5 in max) |
Windshield tint rules in Arkansas
Arkansas permits a tint strip at the top edge of the windshield only. The strip may not extend more than 5 inches down from the top center of the windshield. This narrow "eyebrow" strip is the only permissible aftermarket tint on the windshield.
No tint is allowed in the driver's main viewing area of the windshield below that strip. Arkansas has no specific mention of the AS-1 line in its statute, but the 5-inch measurement accomplishes a similar boundary.
The reflectivity rule adds another constraint: metallic or mirrored-appearance tint is prohibited on both front and back side windows. Films that give a mirror-like or flashy metallic look are banned, even if their VLT reading would otherwise pass. Arkansas does not list specific banned colors beyond the metallic/mirrored prohibition, but the front windshield strip must avoid prohibited materials as well.
Medical exemptions
Arkansas does provide a medical exemption process under Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306. With a physician certification documenting a qualifying medical need, a driver may use darker film than the standard limits.
Under the medical exemption, the allowable tint becomes 20% VLT on side windows and 10% VLT on the rearmost window. Note that the 20% side-window allowance is slightly darker than the standard 25% for passenger cars, and matches the back-seat limit already available to multipurpose vehicles.
The physician's certification must be carried in the vehicle while driving. If you are stopped, presenting the documentation to the officer is the standard way to demonstrate your legal basis for the darker tint. Keep the paperwork current, and consult your physician about any renewal requirements.
How tint is measured and certified
Law enforcement in Arkansas uses a VLT meter to measure the total visible light transmission through the combined factory glass and any aftermarket film. The reading reflects what actually reaches the interior of the vehicle.
Arkansas statute does not specify a numerical measurement tolerance. In practice, officers and inspectors compare the meter reading against the applicable limit for your vehicle type and window position. Because there is no stated tolerance, it is prudent to ensure your film meets the 25% (or 10%) minimum without relying on any margin.
Arkansas does require a compliance label. The law requires a label to be placed to the operator's left (typically the driver's side door jamb or the lower-left corner of the relevant window) that includes the installer's name and a certification that the tint complies with the statute. If you purchase a vehicle that already has tinted windows, confirm that the label is present. Its absence can itself be a basis for scrutiny.
Penalties for illegal tint in Arkansas
Non-compliant window tint is a Class B misdemeanor under Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306. Critically, Arkansas law makes the misdemeanor applicable to both the person who installs the non-compliant tint (the installer) and the operator of the vehicle. This dual applicability is unusual: in many states only the driver faces liability, but in Arkansas the tinting shop also faces criminal exposure if it applies illegal film.
A Class B misdemeanor in Arkansas carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, though in practice tint violations typically result in lower fines rather than incarceration. The specific penalty imposed depends on the court. Unlike some states, Arkansas does not classify first offenses as correctable infractions, so the misdemeanor classification applies from the first violation.
If you buy a vehicle with non-compliant tint, replacing the film before you are cited is clearly the better path. The installer label requirement also creates a paper trail: if illegal tint was installed by a shop, that shop's name on the label can be referenced in any enforcement action.
If you want to tint your windows in Arkansas
Start by choosing film that meets the applicable VLT limit for each window position on your specific vehicle. For a passenger car, that means 25% VLT or higher on every side window, and 10% VLT or higher on the rear window. For a truck, van, or SUV, you have more flexibility on the rear side windows (10% VLT is legal), while the front side windows remain at 25% VLT.
Use an installer who is familiar with Arkansas law and who will provide the required compliance label, including their business name and the certification that the tint meets state standards. Confirm you receive the label at installation, and verify it is affixed in the correct position before you drive the vehicle.
Avoid any metallic or mirrored-appearance films on front or back side windows. These are banned regardless of their VLT rating, so a mirrored 35% film would still violate Arkansas law.
If you have a qualifying medical condition, obtain physician certification before tinting your windows. Have the exemption documentation in hand so the installer applies the correct (darker) film from the start, and keep the paperwork in your vehicle permanently.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Window tint limits vary by state and change, and enforcement depends on local practice and your specific vehicle. For a definitive answer, check your state DMV or consult a local attorney.
Related
Arkansas drivers may also want to review Arkansas Windshield Mounting Restrictions for rules on objects attached to or near the windshield.
More Arkansas Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal tint in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires front side windows to allow at least 25% VLT for all vehicles. Back side windows must be at least 25% VLT on passenger cars and at least 10% VLT on trucks, buses, motor homes, and multipurpose vehicles. The rearmost window allows at least 10% VLT on all vehicles.
How dark can my front windows be in Arkansas?
The darkest legal tint for front side windows in Arkansas is 25% VLT. Any film with a lower VLT (darker) on the front side windows violates Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306.
Is 20% tint legal in Arkansas?
A 20% tint is not legal on front side windows in Arkansas, which require at least 25% VLT. On a passenger car's rear side windows, 20% is also below the 25% minimum. However, on the rearmost window of any vehicle, and on the rear side windows of trucks, SUVs, vans, and motor homes, 20% is legal since those positions allow down to 10% VLT.
Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Arkansas?
Yes. A physician certification allows you to use 20% VLT on side windows and 10% VLT on the rearmost window. Carry the certification in your vehicle at all times when driving with the exemption tint.
What is the penalty for illegal tint in Arkansas?
Illegal window tint in Arkansas is a Class B misdemeanor. Both the installer and the vehicle operator can be charged. A Class B misdemeanor carries up to $1,000 in fines and up to 90 days in jail, though tint offenses typically result in fines.
Is windshield tint legal in Arkansas?
Only a narrow strip at the very top of the windshield is permitted, no more than 5 inches down from the top center. No tint is allowed in the driver's main viewing area below that strip.
Do SUVs have different tint rules in Arkansas?
Yes. Trucks, buses, motor homes, and multipurpose vehicles (including SUVs and vans) may have 10% VLT on back side windows, while passenger cars must have at least 25% VLT on those same windows. Front side windows are 25% VLT for all vehicle types. The rearmost window is 10% VLT for all types.
Sources and References
- Ark. Code Ann. 27-37-306, Arkansas Legislature - Sunscreening devices(arkleg.state.ar.us).gov