Maryland Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits

In Maryland, all windows (front side, back side, and rear) on a vehicle registered under Transportation § 13-912 (standard passenger cars) must allow at least 35% visible light transmission (VLT). Vehicles registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, such as SUVs and vans, must meet that 35% floor only on the front side windows immediately next to the driver. Transportation § 22-406 itself regulates only light transmittance, but a separate inspection regulation, COMAR 29.02.01.11F(6), bans mirrored, one-way vision, or sparkling effect tint and red, yellow, or amber tint on any window or windshield.

What is the legal tint limit in Maryland?

Maryland's window tint rules are set out in Md. Code, Transportation 22-406. For standard passenger cars, the 35% VLT rule applies uniformly to the front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window. VLT stands for visible light transmission, the percentage of visible light a window allows through. A higher VLT percentage means lighter tint; a lower VLT percentage means darker tint. At 35%, Maryland sits in the middle range nationally.

SUVs and vans have a partial exception, but it turns on vehicle registration under Transportation § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, not on equipment such as mirrors. For a vehicle registered under one of those sections, § 22-406(i) sets the 35% floor only on the windows immediately to the right or left of the driver, leaving the back side and rear windows without a floor under this section. The front side windows remain at the 35% minimum for all vehicle types without exception.

No measurement tolerance is specified in the Maryland statute, so the 35% figure should be treated as an exact floor.

Windshield tint rules in Maryland

Maryland permits tint on the windshield only in the top strip: above the AS-1 line or within the top 5 inches, whichever applies to your vehicle. Below that line, the windshield must remain free of any tint film.

Md. Code, Transportation § 22-406 itself regulates only light transmittance (VLT), but that is not the whole rule. COMAR 29.02.01.11F(6), the Defect 61 (Glass) standard applied at Maryland safety inspection, prohibits a mirrored, one-way vision, or sparkling effect tint on any window or windshield, and separately prohibits a red, yellow, or amber color tint.

Section 22-406 sets no percentage cap on reflectance, and its only measurable requirement is the 35% VLT floor described above. The mirrored and colored finishes above are barred outright by regulation rather than capped by a number. Section 22-406(i)(4)(iv)3 expressly preserves the Administrator's authority to adopt regulations regarding vehicle windows except as to light transmittance, which is where that regulation gets its force.

Medical exemptions

Maryland law allows a medical exemption under Md. Code, Transportation 22-406(i)(4). A driver or vehicle owner whose medical condition requires protection from sunlight or UV radiation may obtain an exemption by having a licensed physician provide written certification of the medical necessity.

Once you have the physician's written certification, you must carry it in the vehicle at all times. Maryland distinguishes between temporary and permanent conditions. An exemption based on a temporary condition is valid for up to two years; if the condition is permanent, the exemption may be issued indefinitely. Having the paperwork in the vehicle is critical because an officer or inspector will need to see it if the tint appears darker than the standard limits.

How tint is measured and certified

Maryland does not require a compliance sticker on tinted windows by statute. When an officer measures your tint, they will use a calibrated VLT meter. The reading is taken through the film and glass together; it is the combined transmittance that must meet the 35% minimum.

Because no tolerance is specified in the statute, avoid cutting it close. A film nominally rated at 35% may measure slightly below that on some vehicles depending on the factory glass tint. Ask your installer to verify the combined reading on your specific vehicle before you leave the shop.

If you have a medical exemption, carry that paperwork in the glove box. The exemption document substitutes for compliance with the standard VLT numbers.

Penalties for illegal tint in Maryland

Section 22-406(i)(2) allows a police officer to issue a safety equipment repair order in addition to a citation charging the driver with the tint violation, not instead of a citation. That citation carries money. A tint violation is a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law, and under Md. Code, Transportation 27-101(a) and (b) a violation of the Vehicle Law is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 unless the Vehicle Law provides otherwise. Section 22-406 sets no different penalty, so the $500 ceiling applies.

The repair order runs on its own clock. Under Md. Code, Transportation 23-105(b)(1), the order directs the owner to have the equipment corrected within 10 days of issuance, at a place of the owner's choosing, and to submit documentation of the repair. Under 23-105(e)(2)(i), the registration of a vehicle for which a repair order has been issued may be suspended on failure to comply with the order within 30 days after it was issued, and 23-105(e)(2)(ii) provides for reinstatement once satisfactory evidence of the correction is submitted. Suspension is what happens if you let that window run out; it does not attach the moment the citation is written. Address a tint violation promptly by removing or replacing the non-compliant film and submitting proof of the repair.

If you want to tint your windows in Maryland

If you are planning to have aftermarket tint applied in Maryland, take these steps to stay compliant.

First, plan your VLT targets. For the front side windows, you need at least 35% VLT through the film and glass combined for any vehicle type. For a vehicle registered under § 13-912, plan the same 35% minimum for the back side windows and rear window as well. If your vehicle is registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, such as an SUV or van, this statute sets no VLT floor for the back side or rear windows.

Second, confirm your factory glass. Most modern vehicles have factory glass in the 70-80% VLT range, meaning you can typically apply a film rated around 35-50% and still clear the combined 35% threshold. Your installer should measure your actual glass before selecting the film.

Third, check the film color. COMAR 29.02.01.11F(6) prohibits a red, yellow, or amber color tint on any window or windshield, so a film in those colors will fail a Maryland safety inspection as a Defect 61 (Glass) item even if it meets the 35% VLT floor.

Fourth, avoid a mirrored film. The same regulation prohibits a mirrored, one-way vision, or sparkling effect tint on any window or windshield, regardless of how much light the film lets through.

Fifth, if you have a qualifying medical condition, see your physician for written certification before you have the tint applied. Keep the original certification in the vehicle so it is available at any inspection or traffic stop.

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 pages:

• Window Tint Laws by State (hub)
• Maryland Windshield Mounting Restrictions: /us-laws/windshield-mounting-restrictions/maryland-windshield-mounting-laws

More Maryland Laws

• Maryland Car Accident Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal tint in Maryland?

Maryland requires at least 35% VLT on all windows for vehicles registered under Transportation § 13-912, including front side, back side, and rear windows. Vehicles registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, such as SUVs and vans, must meet the 35% floor only on the windows immediately beside the driver.

How dark can my front windows be in Maryland?

The darkest legal front side window tint in Maryland is 35% VLT measured through the film and glass combined. This applies to all vehicle types including sedans, SUVs, and vans.

Is 20% tint legal in Maryland?

Not on the front side windows, or on the rear windows of a vehicle registered under § 13-912. A 20% VLT reading falls below Maryland's 35% minimum on those windows. On the rear windows of a vehicle registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, this statute sets no VLT floor, so a 20% film would not violate this section there.

Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Maryland?

Yes. Under Md. Code, Transportation 22-406(i)(4), a physician can certify that you need reduced sunlight exposure, and that written certification allows darker tint. A temporary exemption lasts up to two years; a permanent condition may be covered indefinitely. Carry the certification in the vehicle.

What is the penalty for illegal tint in Maryland?

Illegal tint is a violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law, which Md. Code, Transportation 27-101 makes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. An officer may also issue a safety equipment repair order, and 22-406(i)(2) makes clear that the repair order is in addition to a citation, not a replacement for one. Under Transportation 23-105, the repair order directs correction within 10 days, and the vehicle's registration may be suspended if the owner does not comply within 30 days after the order was issued.

Is windshield tint legal in Maryland?

Only in the top strip. Maryland allows tint above the AS-1 line or within the top 5 inches of the windshield. Below that line, the windshield must be clear. Separately, COMAR 29.02.01.11F(6) prohibits mirrored, one-way vision, or sparkling effect tint, and red, yellow, or amber tint, on any window or windshield.

Do SUVs have different tint rules in Maryland?

Partially. The 35% VLT rule applies to all vehicle types for the front side windows. Vehicles registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937, such as SUVs and vans, have no VLT floor under this section on the windows behind the driver, including the rear window. Vehicles registered under § 13-912 must meet 35% on all windows.