Mississippi Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Mississippi Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
In Mississippi, all side windows and the rear window must allow at least 28% of visible light through (VLT). The same 28% limit applies uniformly to front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window, with no distinction between sedans and other vehicle types.
What is the legal tint limit in Mississippi?
Mississippi's window tint law is found at Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59. The central concept is Visible Light Transmission (VLT): a higher VLT percentage means a lighter film that lets more light in, while a lower VLT percentage means a darker film. Mississippi's 28% VLT floor is moderately permissive compared to states like Minnesota (50%) but is stricter than states like New Mexico (20%) or Texas (25%).
Mississippi applies the same 28% standard across all three window groups on all vehicle types. There is no separate lighter limit for the front side windows and no exemption that lets SUVs, vans, or trucks run any darkness on the windows behind the driver. Front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window must all transmit at least 28% of visible light.
| Window | VLT Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front side windows | 28% |
| Back side windows | 28% |
| Rear window | 28% |
| Windshield (below AS-1) | No aftermarket tint allowed |
Because the statute does not specify a measurement tolerance, enforcement follows officer discretion and meter readings. Choosing a film rated at 30% or above gives you a practical buffer against borderline readings.
Windshield tint rules in Mississippi
Mississippi prohibits any aftermarket tint below the manufacturer's AS-1 line on the windshield. The AS-1 line is the reference line near the top of the windshield printed by the glass manufacturer during production. Only non-reflective tint film above that line is allowed as a top strip. If your windshield does not display a visible AS-1 marking, treat the top few inches as the only permissible zone and confirm with your installer before proceeding.
Mississippi's statute does not list a specific reflectivity cap or ban particular tint colors. While mirrored or highly metallic films are not called out by name, applying any film that significantly reduces an officer's ability to see into the vehicle is likely to draw scrutiny regardless of the VLT reading. Non-reflective films are the safest choice throughout.
Medical exemptions
Mississippi allows a medical exemption under Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59. A licensed Mississippi physician must diagnose a condition that is aggravated by exposure to sunlight and provide written certification. The certificate must be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle whenever the vehicle is operated, so it is visible to officers conducting a traffic stop or inspection without the driver needing to search for it.
Qualifying conditions typically include photosensitive skin conditions such as lupus or xeroderma pigmentosum, severe photophobia or certain eye disorders, and other documented medical needs where ultraviolet or visible light exposure worsens the condition. The exemption allows darker film than the standard 28% on the windows covered by the physician's certification.
There is no DMV pre-registration required to claim the exemption. The physician's certificate displayed on the dashboard is the operative document. Drivers should ensure the certificate is current and from an actively treating Mississippi-licensed physician.
How tint is measured and certified in Mississippi
Mississippi requires a compliance sticker for all tinted vehicles. The sticker is a self-destructive label of no more than one square inch, placed on the lower-left corner of the windshield. Self-destructive labels are designed to tear apart if anyone attempts to remove them, preventing a sticker from being transferred from a compliant vehicle to a non-compliant one. Your installer is responsible for applying this label at the time of installation.
The statute does not specify a measurement tolerance. Officers use tintometers (VLT meters) to measure the film during roadside stops, and readings at or above 28% should satisfy enforcement. Because there is no named tolerance, films rated right at 28% have less margin than in states with a formal plus-or-minus allowance. Choosing a film rated at 30% or above is the conservative approach.
Enforcement of Mississippi's tint law is handled primarily by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and by police departments in larger municipalities. Rural areas may see less active tint enforcement, but the statute applies statewide.
Penalties for illegal tint in Mississippi
A violation of Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59 carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 3 months in jail. This is a notably stiff penalty compared to many states that treat tint violations as simple infractions. The jail component means a tint stop could theoretically result in a misdemeanor arrest, though in practice the criminal charge is typically reserved for egregious violations or repeat offenders rather than borderline cases.
The compliance sticker requirement gives officers an immediate enforcement reference. If the lower-left corner of the windshield lacks a self-destructive label, the vehicle is presumptively non-compliant and the officer can proceed to meter the windows. Bringing the vehicle into compliance and affixing the proper sticker is the surest way to avoid further contact.
Installers who apply non-compliant film share responsibility under the statute. Mississippi's penalty structure creates financial and legal risk for shops that knowingly install film darker than 28% without a valid medical exemption covering the vehicle.
If you want to tint your windows in Mississippi
Mississippi's 28% VLT rule is uniform across all windows and all vehicle types. Choose a film rated at 28% VLT or lighter, and consider going with 30% or above to give yourself a practical buffer given the absence of a formal measurement tolerance in the statute.
Use a reputable installer who understands the compliance sticker requirement. The self-destructive label must be on the lower-left corner of the windshield after installation. Ask for documentation confirming the film's rated VLT so you have a manufacturer's spec sheet to supplement the sticker if needed. Keep that documentation in the vehicle for any roadside stop.
If you have a medical condition aggravated by sunlight, obtain the physician's certificate before installation. The certificate should be from a Mississippi-licensed physician, describe the condition clearly, and be displayed on the dashboard at all times when the vehicle is in use. Make sure the certificate is current and not approaching an expiration date at the time of your next 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.
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Sources
- Miss. Code Ann. 63-7-59 - motor vehicle window tinting: https://law.ms.gov/aindex.html
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety - vehicle inspection and tint enforcement: https://www.dps.ms.gov/
Related reading
For a full comparison of window tint rules across all 50 states, visit the Window Tint Laws hub. For rules about what may be attached to or mounted on your windshield, see Mississippi Windshield Mounting Restrictions.
