Alabama Legal Window Tint Laws

Alabama is one of the newer states to enact window tint laws with these coming into effect only around the year 1996.

However, the laws in the state are laid out adequately well to quell any doubts regarding what the state does and does not permit in terms of window tinting.

Alabama – like other states in the country – bases its window tint laws on what is known as VLT%. The Visible Light Transmission percentage determines the amount of light that can enter your car.

Therefore, it logically follows that it also helps regulate the amount of heat that can enter your vehicle. The limits for this percentage vary for passenger vehicles and SUVs and I’ll be covering both of these in detail in the following sections.

Are You Allowed To Tint Your Windows And Windshield In Alabama?

You are very much allowed to have tinted windows and windshield in the state of Alabama.

However, there are limits for the same. You cannot just tint your vehicle’s windows as much as you please, Alabama is quite strict with regards to these limits.

However, these limits are not as strict as they are in other states across the country. Following the tinting laws in the state is quite easy and most drivers adhere to the same.

What Is The Darkest Tint You Can Legally Get In AL?

The degree of tint darkness you can legally get in Alabama depends on the kind of vehicle you own.

The laws governing the tinting limits are stricter for passenger vehicles than they are for multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) in the state.

In general, state law specifies that you can have any amount of tint you like for the back-side and rear windows for MPVs. As for passenger vehicles, the maximum amount of tint darkness you can have is capped at 78% for all windows.

Is 20 Tint Illegal In AL?

With regards to SUVs or MPVs, no, a 20 tint is not illegal in the state of Alabama. However, with regards to passenger vehicles, a 20 tint is very much illegal in the state.

State law explicitly specifies that vehicle-owners are not permitted to have more than a 32 tint for the front-side and back-side windows for passenger vehicles. The same can be said for front-side windows of MPVs.

Can You Get Pulled Over For Tinted Windows In Alabama?

Sure, you can get pulled over for violating the rules and regulations regarding window tinting in Alabama.

While it’s true that you may not get pulled over for having tinted windows in the state every time you drive by a law enforcement officer, there’s a possibility of it happening all the same.

Mostly, a cop will only pull you over if they find you’ve exceeding the limits of window tinting or reflective tinting in Alabama. They usually carry portable devices that allow them to detect how much tint you’ve got on your windows.

How Much Is A Tint Ticket In AL?

Alabama is one of the more lenient states in the country in terms of collecting fines for window tinting. You can receive a maximum of $100 in fines for violating the window tinting limits in Alabama.

While this is not a large amount, it may also get you into prison for 10 days, if it’s a first-time conviction. However, this is a fairly rare occurrence.

Window Tint Darkness In Alabama

Like other U.S. states, Alabama too specifies the window tinting limits for passenger vehicles and MPVs. As mentioned earlier, these limits are determined by VLT%.

In this section, I shall explore the window tinting limits for both passenger vehicles and MPVs in the state of Alabama.

For Passenger Vehicles

• The Windshield: You’re permitted to use any non-reflective material on the upper portion
• The Front-Side Windows: Can have a maximum tint of 68%
• The Back-Side Windows: Can have a maximum tint of 68%
• The Rear Window: Can have a maximum tint of 68%

For Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs)

• The Windshield: You’re permitted to use any non-reflective material on the upper portion
• The Front-Side Windows: Can have a maximum tint of 68%
• The Back-Side Windows: Can have any amount of tint darkness
• The Rear Window: Can have any amount of tint darkness

Window Tint Reflection In Alabama

Several states across the country permit vehicle-owners to use reflective surfaces on their windows to reduce the amount of light and heat that enters their vehicle.

As is the case with window tint darkness, the limits for reflective tint too varies according to the type of vehicle you have.

Let us examine the limits for the same.

For Passenger Vehicles

• The Front-Side Windows: Can have 20% reflection
• The Back-Side Windows: Can have 20% reflection

For Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs)

• The Front-Side Windows: Can have 20% reflection
• The Back-Side Windows: Can have 20% reflection

How Do You Get A Medical Exemption For Window Tint In Alabama?

If you want to get more than the permissible amount of window tinting in Alabama, you’ll need a note of exemption from a qualified physician in the state. You can get such an exemption if you suffer from light-sensitive porphyria or other similar conditions.

Make sure you carry your certificate with you whenever you take your vehicle out to avoid getting penalized by law enforcement authorities.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it – the basic rules and regulations regarding the window tinting laws in the state of Alabama. These laws are quite strict and not following them may well get you into trouble with local law enforcement.

Make sure you conduct adequate research regarding these laws before you go ahead and tint your windows in this state. I say this mainly because not following these laws will get you into more trouble than it’s worth so it’s better to be safe than sorry here.

I’ve covered all the information you’d require to adhere to the aforementioned laws in the state. Now all you need to do is go through them carefully, and follow them as best as you can.

After all, owning a vehicle or vehicles should be a rewarding experience and certainly not one you should be getting into trouble over.