Utah Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Utah Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Utah law now requires front side windows to allow at least 35% of visible light through (35% VLT minimum), a limit that took effect on May 7, 2025 under HB 112. Back side and rear windows may be tinted to any darkness.
What is the legal tint limit in Utah?
Utah's front side window tint limit changed on May 7, 2025, when HB 112 took effect. The prior limit was 43% VLT; it is now 35% VLT. That means the film and glass combined must allow at least 35% of visible light to pass through your front side windows under current Utah law.
A higher VLT percentage is lighter; a lower percentage is darker. A 35% VLT film is noticeably tinted while still permitting a substantial amount of light. The old 43% limit was lighter (less dark); the new 35% allows drivers to go moderately darker on their front windows than before.
Back side and rear windows have no VLT minimum in Utah. Any level of darkness is permitted on those windows. If you tint the rear window to any level that obstructs the driver's rearview, the vehicle must be equipped with dual outside mirrors on both sides to compensate.
| Window Position | All Vehicle Types |
|---|---|
| Front side windows | 35% VLT minimum (effective May 7, 2025) |
| Back side windows | Any darkness |
| Rear window | Any darkness (dual outside mirrors required) |
Utah does not draw a distinction between sedans and multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, vans, trucks) for back side or rear windows. The any-darkness rule applies to all vehicle types behind the driver.
The measurement tolerance in Utah is plus or minus 5%, which means a film nominally rated at 35% could be measured anywhere between 30% and 40% and still comply. Installers should still target close to the stated VLT to avoid being in the borderline range during enforcement.
Windshield tint rules in Utah
Utah's windshield rules are specific. The windshield as a whole must allow more than 70% of visible light to pass through. Non-transparent material, including dark tint film, is permitted only in two limited zones: above the AS-1 line or the top 4 inches of the windshield (whichever is lower), or in a small lower-left corner area no larger than 3 inches by 4 inches.
The small lower-left exception is unusual compared to most states and exists to accommodate certain factory configurations. Outside these two zones, the windshield must remain clear and meet the 70%-plus VLT threshold.
Metallic or mirrored film is prohibited on all windows under Utah law, and that prohibition applies to the windshield strip as well. If you are adding a sun strip, choose a non-metallic, non-mirrored film that stays within the permitted zones.
Medical exemptions
Utah allows medical exemptions for drivers or passengers who have a medical condition that requires reduced light exposure. Qualifying conditions are typically documented by a licensed physician, and the documentation must be carried in the vehicle whenever the exempted tint is being used.
To obtain an exemption, have your physician prepare a letter or complete the required certification stating your medical need and the specific windows involved. The exemption can authorize film darker than the standard 35% VLT minimum on the specified windows. For details on the exact form and renewal requirements, contact the Utah Driver License Division or the Utah Department of Public Safety.
How tint is measured and certified
Utah uses a VLT meter to measure the combined light transmission through both the glass and the applied film. Because factory glass already absorbs some light, the combined reading will always be darker than the film's standalone rating. Before purchasing film, ask your installer to measure the factory glass VLT so you can calculate what aftermarket film will keep you above the 35% combined minimum.
Utah's measurement tolerance of plus or minus 5% provides some practical leeway. A reading of 31% on a 35%-rated film would technically fall within tolerance, but targeting 37-40% film on top of lightly tinted factory glass gives you a safer margin.
Unlike some states, Utah does not clearly specify a required compliance sticker in the dossier data. Ask your installer about current practice, as many professional tinters apply a label citing the film's VLT and the installer's contact information as a courtesy even when not mandated. Keeping the manufacturer's film certificate in the glove box is always a good precaution.
Penalties for illegal tint in Utah
Non-compliant window tint in Utah is an infraction. An infraction is a civil violation rather than a criminal charge, typically resulting in a fine without a jail component. Utah law enforcement officers may cite a driver during a roadside stop if the tint appears to violate the VLT requirements.
After receiving a citation, you will typically need to remove or replace the non-compliant film and may be asked to provide proof of correction. Because it is an infraction, the financial consequences are modest compared to misdemeanor states, but the cost of having film professionally removed and replaced can exceed the fine itself.
The simplest way to avoid a citation is to choose compliant film from the start and have it installed by a reputable shop that will verify the combined VLT before the vehicle leaves the bay.
If you want to tint your windows in Utah
The key number is 35% VLT on front side windows under the law in effect since May 7, 2025. If your vehicle previously had legal 43% tint installed under the old law and you have not changed it, that film is now darker than permitted (43% was a lighter shade; the new 35% minimum allows darker film, so film that was legal at 43% is still legal under 35%). Wait, to clarify: the law changed to ALLOW darker tint. A film that was legal at 43% would produce roughly 43% transmission, which is still above 35%, so it remains legal. You can now go as dark as 35% on front windows, where you could only go to 43% before.
Start by measuring your factory glass. Many dealerships can tell you the factory VLT. Then choose a film whose combined VLT with the factory glass will be 35% or higher. Ask your installer to verify the combined reading before you drive away.
For back side and rear windows, any darkness works, but make sure your vehicle has dual outside mirrors before applying very dark rear window tint. Metallic and mirrored films are not permitted on any window, so stay with conventional dyed, carbon, or ceramic films.
If you have a qualifying medical condition, get physician documentation before the installation and carry it at all times. Finally, ask your installer about any compliance labels or certificates to keep in the vehicle.
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
- Utah Code Section 41-6a-1635 (window tinting requirements): https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title41/Chapter6a/41-6a-S1635.html
- Utah Legislature HB 112 (2025 tint limit change, eff. May 7, 2025): https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0112.html
For more state tint rules, see the Window Tint Laws by State hub. Utah drivers may also want to review Utah Windshield Mounting Restrictions for related vehicle glass regulations.