Kane Dan
As is the case with all states in the US, the state of Virginia has its own laws dictating how car windows can be tinted. If you’re a vehicle owner living in Virginia, it’s important that you be familiar with these laws before deciding to tint your vehicle’s windows.
Let’s take a look at the various laws in place regarding tinting your car windows in Virginia. We’ll also be discussing how to get a medical exemption for your tint if you actually need it to be darker than normal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Are You Allowed To Have A Tinted Windshield And Windows In Virginia?
You can have tinted windows for your car in the state of Virginia, although there are several restrictions you need to keep in mind if you choose to apply aftermarket tinting.
These restrictions vary depending on what windows you’re tinting and what kind of vehicle you own.
We’ll go into more detail about which restrictions apply to what in a later section of this article.
What Is The Darkest Tint You Can Legally Get In VA?
It depends on what windows are being tinted on what vehicle. For passenger vehicles, front side windows can’t be tinted past a VLT of 50%, and backside windows as well as rear windows can’t be tinted past a VLT of 35%.
For MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles), the same restrictions apply to the front side windows; however, there are no restrictions for how dark you can tint your back side windows and rear window.
VLT is short for “visible light transmission,” It refers to the amount of light that can pass through your windows.
As is the case in many states, if you want to tint your rear window darker than stock, your car must have dual side-mirrors installed.
Is 20% Tint Illegal In VA?
Again, this is dependent on the type of vehicle you own and the specific windows you want to tint. If you own an MPV and you want to tint your back side windows and rear window darker than 20% VLT, you are entirely within your legal rights to do so. Otherwise, a VLT of 20% is illegal in most cases.
If you have a medical exemption, however, you may be able to circumvent these restrictions.
Can You Get Pulled Over For Tinted Windows In Virginia?
If your windows aren’t tinted legally or if they’re too reflective, there’s definitely a chance that you’ll receive a ticket if you’re driving in the state of Virginia.
Additionally, if you have tinted your windows, the state of Virginia deems it mandatory to display a sticker in your window certifying that your tint complies with the state’s laws and regulations.
However, the state does not specify how exactly you’re supposed to display this sticker.
How Much Is A Tint Ticket In VA?
If an officer determines that your windows are tinted darker or are more reflective than the legal limit, you can expect to pay a fine of at least $110. You’ll also be required to remove the illegal tint, which may cost you additional fees.
In short, getting a tint ticket in Virginia is an expensive affair, so it’s always best to follow the state’s laws regarding window tint.
Window Tint Darkness In Virginia
As we’ve already mentioned, the specific level of tint you can use for your windows depends on the vehicle you own and the window you want to tint. This section will break down the different restrictions for each type of vehicle and each window.
To clarify, passenger vehicles refer to vehicles like hatchbacks, sedans, and station wagons, which primarily function as commuter vehicles. MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) refer to vehicles that have a more utilitarian function, like pickup trucks, cargo vans, and minivans.
You can see what type of vehicle you own by looking at the Federal ID label, which can be found on the driver’s side door frame.
For Passenger Vehicles
- Windshields can have a strip of non-reflective tint at the top. This strip can’t extend past the windshield’s AS-1 line.
- Front Side Windows can be tinted up to a VLT of 50%
- Backside Windows can be tinted up to a VLT of 35%
- Rear Windows can be tinted up to a VLT of 35%
For MPVs
- Windshields can have a strip of non-reflective tint at the top. This strip can’t extend past the windshield’s AS-1 line.
- Front Side Windows can be tinted up to a VLT of 50%
- Backside Windows don’t have any tint restrictions
- Rear Windows don’t have any tint restrictions
Window Tint Reflection In Virginia
Virginia also has laws in place determining how reflective windows can be. These laws only apply to your vehicle’s side windows since windshields and rear windows can’t be reflective at all.
In addition, the state does not allow you to use any tints that are red, amber, or yellow-colored.
For Passenger Vehicles
- Front Side Windows can reflect no more than 20% of incoming light
- Backside Windows can reflect no more than 20% of incoming light
For MPVs
- Front Side Windows can reflect no more than 20% of incoming light
- Backside Windows can reflect no more than 20% of incoming light
How Do You Get A Medical Exemption For Window Tint In Virginia?
The state of Virginia allows you to get a medical exemption for your window tint in the case of individuals with medical conditions who can’t be exposed to excessive sunlight.
To get an exemption, you’ll have to first get a certification from any licensed medical practitioner proving that you do indeed have such a condition. Then, you’ll have to send this certification along with an application form to the Virginia DMV.
This exemption will allow you to either install a 70% VLT tint over your entire windshield or a 35% VLT tint strip at the very top of your windshield. It also allows you to have a 35% VLT tint for your front side windows in place of the usual 50% VLT tint.
Conclusion
Each state has slightly different laws regarding car window tint, and you should always know what the laws are in your state before applying window tint of your own.
We hope that if you live in Virginia, this article has been able to clarify the current window tint restrictions for you.
For more information regarding other vehicles laws in Virginia, we suggest that you check out the Virginia DMV website.
