Delaware Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Delaware Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Delaware prohibits aftermarket tint on front side windows: those windows must remain at the factory glass level (roughly 70% VLT under FMVSS 205), unless you hold a physician or optometrist medical waiver. The rear side windows and rear window may be any darkness, provided dual outside mirrors are installed.
What is the legal tint limit in Delaware?
Delaware is one of a small group of states that effectively bans aftermarket tint on front side windows for most drivers. The law requires that front side windows comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standard FMVSS 205, which factory glass on new vehicles already meets at approximately 70% VLT. Adding an aftermarket film to the front side windows pushes the combined VLT below that threshold, which is not permitted unless you have a qualifying medical waiver.
To understand what this means: VLT is the percentage of visible light a window lets through. A higher VLT percentage means a lighter, less tinted window. A lower VLT percentage means a darker window. Factory glass at roughly 70% VLT is barely tinted at all, and any film added on top will lower that number.
The restriction applies only to the front side windows (the driver and front passenger door glass). The windows behind the driver are treated very differently.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Front side | No aftermarket film; factory glass only (approx. 70% VLT) |
| Back side | Any darkness (dual outside mirrors required) |
| Rear window | Any darkness (dual outside mirrors required) |
| Windshield | Transparent products above AS-1 line only |
If you drive an SUV, van, or other multi-purpose vehicle, you still may not add film to the front side windows without a medical waiver. Delaware's ban applies regardless of vehicle type on those front windows.
Windshield tint rules in Delaware
Delaware permits only transparent products above the AS-1 line on the windshield. The AS-1 line is etched near the top of the windshield by the manufacturer and typically sits about five to six inches from the top, though the exact position varies by vehicle. Whatever is applied in that strip must be truly transparent, meaning it cannot add visible darkness or tint to the driving field.
Tint of any kind below the AS-1 line is not permitted. This rule ensures the driver's primary sightlines remain unobstructed, consistent with federal safety standards that Delaware incorporates by reference.
Any film applied to rear and back side windows should comply with FMVSS 205 for installation quality, even though Delaware does not set a specific VLT percentage or reflectivity ceiling for those windows. Metallic, highly reflective, or opaque films should still be chosen carefully because the general FMVSS 205 compliance requirement still applies.
Medical exemptions
Delaware offers one of the more accessible medical exemption processes in the region. A driver or vehicle owner whose physician or optometrist certifies a medical necessity for reduced light may apply for a waiver through the Delaware DMV. The DMV accepts this application online and can approve a waiver for up to four vehicles registered to the same owner.
The signed physician or optometrist statement of medical necessity must be kept in the vehicle at all times. If you are stopped by law enforcement and your front side windows appear tinted, you will need to present this documentation immediately. Without the waiver, the officer may issue an infraction even if you believe the film is light.
The waiver is specific to the listed vehicles. If you change vehicles, you must update the waiver with the DMV. The online process makes this relatively straightforward compared to states that require in-person visits.
How tint is measured and certified
For Delaware's front side windows, the operative standard is not a specific VLT meter reading but rather whether any aftermarket film is present at all. An officer does not need a photometer to establish a violation; visible film that was not part of the original factory glass is the violation.
For the rear and back side windows, where any darkness is permitted, there is no VLT measurement requirement from the state.
Delaware requires that the FMVSS 205 manufacturer certificate for any applied film be displayed in the vehicle. This certificate, provided by the film manufacturer, shows that the product meets federal standards for optical clarity, structural integrity, and other properties. An installer should provide this certificate, and you should keep it in the vehicle.
Delaware does not specify a VLT measurement tolerance in the statute, since the front side rule is a flat prohibition rather than a percentage floor.
Penalties for illegal tint in Delaware
For drivers, a violation carries a fine of $28.75 to $100 per offense. Each non-compliant window can be treated as a separate offense, so multiple windows out of compliance at the same stop can result in multiple fines.
For installers, the penalties are significantly steeper: $100 to $500 per violation plus restitution. Delaware's statute specifically targets the commercial side of the industry, reflecting the legislature's view that professionals who apply illegal tint bear meaningful responsibility for the violation.
Paying a fine does not resolve the underlying violation. You will still need to remove the non-compliant film and restore the window to factory glass before the vehicle passes inspection or before a follow-up enforcement stop. The DMV can also factor tint violations into vehicle registration status in some circumstances.
If you want to tint your windows in Delaware
The practical answer for most Delaware drivers is: do not tint the front side windows. Any film added to those windows, however light, takes the glass below FMVSS 205 compliance and creates a legal violation.
If you have a genuine medical need for reduced light, start with your doctor or optometrist. Get a signed letter of medical necessity and submit it through the Delaware DMV's online waiver process. List all vehicles you want covered, up to four. Once approved, you can have film applied to the front side windows and carry the documentation with you.
For the rear and back side windows, you have complete freedom. Any tint darkness is legal as long as you have dual outside mirrors installed on both sides of the vehicle so the driver can see behind without relying on the rear window. You do not need a specific VLT percentage on those windows, so your installer can apply the film shade you prefer.
Make sure your installer provides the FMVSS 205 manufacturer certificate for any film applied, and display it as required. Using a licensed, reputable installer familiar with Delaware's rules is the best way to avoid compliance issues.
For broader context on how Delaware's rules compare to neighboring states, see the cluster hub at Window Tint Laws by State and Delaware's Windshield Mounting Restrictions.
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.
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Sources
- Delaware Code, Title 21 Section 4313 (window tint law): https://delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c043/sc01/index.html