Washington Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits

Washington requires all windows except the windshield to allow at least 24% visible light transmission (VLT). That single 24% minimum applies to front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window alike, making Washington one of the more permissive tint states in the country. Certain special vehicles may go darker behind the driver.

What is the legal tint limit in Washington?

Washington State sets a single VLT floor for almost every window on the vehicle: 24%. That means the tint film, combined with the factory glass, must allow at least 24 out of every 100 units of visible light to pass through. Because a higher VLT percentage means lighter tint and a lower percentage means darker tint, 24% is noticeably dark to the eye but still legal.

The 24% minimum covers the front side windows, the back side windows, and the rear window. There is no sedan-versus-SUV split for the front windows. The distinction arises only behind the driver's seat: hearses, limousines, ambulances, collector vehicles, and multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, vans, and trucks) may legally run any darkness on their back side and rear windows, provided dual outside mirrors give an unobstructed rearward view.

If you are shopping for tint and trying to figure out how dark 24% looks, think of a medium charcoal shade. Films sold as "25% tint" will meet the standard; anything marketed as "20%" or darker on the front or back side windows of a standard sedan would be illegal.

Washington's 24% limit has been in place for several years with no recent legislative changes. The law covers all passenger vehicles registered and driven in Washington, regardless of where the vehicle was originally purchased or where the tint was installed.

Windshield tint rules in Washington

Washington does not allow tint film on the windshield below the AS-1 line. Under RCW 46.37.430(5)(e), any driver may apply a transparent strip along the top edge of the windshield, as long as it does not extend into the AS-1 area or reach more than 6 inches down from the top of the glass; this general top-strip allowance requires no physician documentation. Separately, a completely transparent UV-blocking film applied across the entire windshield is allowed because it does not count as a "tinting device" under RCW 46.37.430.

Medical exemptions create a broader additional path under RCW 46.37.430(5)(d): a person with a qualifying photosensitivity condition may receive written physician verification that allows a greater degree of light reduction on all windows, including the top six inches of the windshield, for sun protection. Outside of the general top-strip allowance and that medical carve-out, no colored or darkening film is permitted on the windshield below the AS-1 line.

Reflectivity is capped at 35% on any window other than the windshield. Mirror-finish films that reflect more than 35% of light are prohibited regardless of which window they are applied to. Films in red, gold, yellow, or black are also banned outright; these colors either reduce visibility for other drivers or distort the perceived color of traffic signals.

Medical exemptions

Washington allows a medical exemption from the standard 24% VLT minimum. A person with a qualifying medical condition (typically involving sensitivity to sunlight or UV radiation) may obtain written verification from a licensed physician. That documentation permits darker tint on any window, including the front side windows and, under certain circumstances, the windshield.

The documentation must be carried in the vehicle at all times. If you are pulled over, you will need to produce the physician's written verification to avoid an infraction. The exemption does not override the color bans; even under a medical exemption, red, gold, yellow, and black films remain prohibited.

There is no state-issued permit or registration number to obtain. The process is between you and your physician. A letter on the physician's letterhead describing the condition and the specific windows covered is the standard form of documentation.

How tint is measured and certified

Washington State Patrol and local law enforcement use calibrated VLT meters (photometers) to measure the combined light transmission of the glass and any film applied to it. The meter reads the actual light passing through the installed tint; the film's label specification is not the deciding measurement.

Washington requires a business tinting windows for profit to affix a single sticker to the driver's door post, in the area adjacent to the manufacturer's identification tag. The sticker must list the business name and state tax identification number of the installer and certifies that the glazing application meets the chapter's standards for light transmission, reflectance, and placement. This label serves as the first evidence that a professionally installed film is legal; it also protects you if the tint was done by a licensed shop and you were not aware of any compliance issue.

No official measurement tolerance is specified in the statute. Because meters can vary slightly between devices, choosing a VLT that sits comfortably above 24% (for example, a 28% film) gives a useful margin of safety against borderline readings. Installers who work frequently with law enforcement understand this margin and will typically recommend it.

Penalties for illegal tint in Washington

Operating a vehicle with window tint that does not meet the 24% VLT minimum is a traffic infraction in Washington. The fine amount is set under Washington's standard infraction schedule, and for the driver it is not a criminal charge. You will typically receive a notice requiring correction of the equipment violation, and you may face a fine.

Installers and tint shops face criminal exposure under a separate statute. RCW 46.37.435(1) makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly install film sunscreening material in violation of RCW 46.37.430, and it defines installation to cover both the original application of the film and the fitting of vehicle windows that already have film applied. RCW 46.37.435(2) goes further: providing or receiving compensation with knowledge that the payment is for such an installation is a gross misdemeanor, which reaches the shop that takes the money and the customer who knowingly pays for illegal work. RCW 46.37.430(8) points to RCW 46.37.435 by name, so the two sections are read together. A person or business tinting windows for profit must also supply the driver's-door-post compliance sticker described above under RCW 46.37.430(5)(c).

Law enforcement may stop a vehicle when the tint appears visually darker than 24%. The stop is not classified as a pretextual stop under Washington law when the officer has a genuine belief the tint is non-compliant. Getting a citation corrected generally requires a reinspection showing the film was removed or replaced with a legal alternative.

If you want to tint your windows in Washington

Start by choosing a film that is rated at 24% VLT or higher on the specification sheet. Because meters measure the combined glass-and-film system, and factory glass already absorbs a small amount of light, many installers recommend selecting a film rated at 28% to 30% to be sure the final reading stays above 24%.

Choose an installer familiar with Washington's rules. A reputable shop will confirm the specific VLT and affix the required compliance sticker to the driver's door post, and issue a receipt showing the product used. Keep that paperwork in your vehicle along with the sticker in place, since those two items are your first line of defense at a traffic stop.

Do not choose films in red, gold, yellow, or black regardless of VLT rating; those colors are banned. Mirror-finish or highly reflective films are also off the table. If you have a qualifying medical condition, get the physician's written verification before the tint is installed so the installer knows which windows the exemption covers.

If you are buying a vehicle with existing tint, verify the VLT with a meter before purchase or get a written warranty from the seller. Tint installed in another state may not meet Washington's 24% standard, and you become responsible for compliance once you register the vehicle in Washington.

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

Washington drivers may also want to review Washington Windshield Mounting Restrictions, which covers rules on objects placed on or near the windshield.

More Washington Laws

• Washington Car Accident Laws