Driving in Kansas with tinted windows can keep your car cooler and give you more privacy, but the state has clear rules about how dark you can go.
This page explains the main Kansas window tint laws in simple language so you know what’s legal before you tint.
Quick Rules at a Glance
- Applies to: Any motor vehicle required to be registered in Kansas and driven on Kansas highways.
- Minimum light (VLT): When a sun-screening film is used on any window,
the total light transmission must be at least 35% (35% VLT or lighter) through the glass and film together. - Windshield:
- Only non-reflective tint is allowed, and it must not be red, yellow, or amber.
- Tint is allowed only along the top of the windshield, and it may not extend below the AS-1 line
(the line marked on the glass by the manufacturer).
- Front side windows (driver & passenger): May have non-reflective tint, but the
combined glass + film must allow at least 35% of light in. - Rear side windows (behind the driver): Also must be non-reflective and
have at least 35% VLT. - Rear window (back glass): Same rule: non-reflective and at least 35% VLT.
- Same rules for all vehicle types: Kansas uses the same 35% limit
for passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups. - Banned colors: Tint on the windshield may not be red, yellow, or amber.
Red/yellow/amber tint on other windows can also cause problems because all window film must be non-reflective and neutral-looking. - Reflectivity: Film must be non-reflective on all windows
(no mirrored or chrome-like appearance). - Side mirrors: If the rear window is tinted to the point your inside mirror view is blocked,
you are expected to have dual outside mirrors for a safe rear view. - Medical exemptions: Kansas law does not provide a special medical exemption to allow darker tint than the 35% rule.
- Penalties: Driving a vehicle with illegal tint is a misdemeanor;
installing illegal tint as a business is a separate offense and can bring fines (often up to about $500)
and possible short jail time at the local level.
In short: 35% or lighter on every tinted window, only a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line on the windshield,
and no mirror-like or red/yellow/amber film.
What Is VLT?
Kansas uses Visible Light Transmission (VLT) to describe how dark tint is.
- VLT is the percentage of total visible light that passes through the glass plus any tint film.
- Higher VLT % = lighter tint (easier to see through).
- Lower VLT % = darker tint (harder to see through).
When the law says the total light transmission may not be less than 35%,
it means that after the film is applied, the combined glass and film must still let at least 35% of light through.
Windshield Tint Rules in Kansas
The windshield is the most restricted window on the vehicle.
- You may only use a sun-screening film:
- That is non-reflective,
- That is not red, yellow, or amber, and
- That is applied only along the top of the windshield, not extending below the
AS-1 line clearly marked on the glass.
- Any tinted strip that is applied must still allow at least 35% VLT.
- You cannot cover the main viewing area of the windshield with dark film.
An easy way to think about it: a thin, non-reflective strip across the very top of the windshield is okay,
but the rest should remain basically clear.
Side & Rear Window Tint Rules
Kansas keeps things simple by using the same basic rule for all side and rear windows.
Front Side Windows (Driver & Passenger)
- You may use tint on these windows, but:
- The film must be non-reflective, and
- The total light transmission (glass + film) must be at least 35% VLT.
- Dark shades like 20% or 5% “limo” film are almost always too dark for Kansas law on the front doors.
- Shops usually install film labeled around 35–40% for front windows to stay safely legal.
Rear Side Windows (Behind the Driver)
- Rear side windows must follow the same rule:
- Non-reflective film only, and
- At least 35% VLT through glass and film together.
- This gives you darker glass and more privacy than stock windows, but not full blackout.
Rear Window (Back Glass)
- The rear most window (back glass) must also:
- Use non-reflective tint, and
- Maintain at least 35% VLT.
- If the rear window is tinted enough to limit your view straight back, make sure you have
good outside mirrors on both sides to see behind you.
Kansas does not give SUVs and vans looser limits in the back — the same 35% rule applies.
Reflectivity & Color Limits
The law focuses heavily on keeping tint non-reflective and free of certain colors.
- Non-reflective only:
All sun-screening devices on the front side windows, rear side windows, and rear window must be non-reflective.
This effectively bans mirror-like or chrome-style films. - Windshield colors: The strip along the top of the windshield may not be
red, yellow, or amber. - Other windows: The statute does not list specific colors for side/rear windows,
but strongly colored and reflective films can still be treated as unlawful because they are not “non-reflective.” - Most people stay safe by choosing neutral charcoal or gray films with a normal, non-mirrored appearance.
Mirrors & Other Practical Rules
- If the rear window is tinted so that you cannot easily see directly behind you with the inside mirror,
you should have dual outside mirrors that give a clear view of the roadway behind. - Kansas does not require special tint stickers on the glass, but some shops may place their own small label.
- Film manufacturers are not required to certify their tint specifically to the state,
so it is up to the installer and owner to make sure the film meets the 35%/non-reflective rule.
Commercial Vehicles & Federal Rules
If you drive a commercial motor vehicle, federal law is stricter on the front glass.
- Federal rules (49 CFR §393.60) generally require at least 70% VLT on the windshield and front side windows of commercial vehicles.
- Kansas law still requires 35%+ VLT on any window where tint is used and limits windshield tint to the AS-1 area only.
- So commercial drivers must satisfy both federal and state rules — in practice, that means
keeping the front glass very light and only using a legal strip at the top of the windshield.
Penalties for Illegal Tint in Kansas
Kansas takes unlawful sun-screening devices seriously.
- Driving a vehicle that does not meet tint requirements under K.S.A. 8-1749a is a misdemeanor.
- Local ordinances based on this law often allow fines of up to about $500, short jail time,
or both, although most cases result in a fine and an order to fix the tint. - Under K.S.A. 8-1749c and related local rules, installers who put illegal tint on a vehicle can also be charged,
and may face fines (commonly up to $500) and sometimes up to about 30 days in jail. - You can be required to remove or replace the film so the car passes future inspections or checks.
Is Your Kansas Tint Likely Legal?
Use this quick checklist as a rough guide:
- Windshield:
- Only a short strip along the top, above the AS-1 line?
- The strip is non-reflective and not red, yellow, or amber?
- No dark film on the main viewing area?
- Front side windows:
- Film labeled around 35–40% VLT? → Usually safe.
- Film labeled 20% or 5%? → Almost certainly too dark.
- Rear side windows & rear window:
- Film around 35% VLT or lighter? → Typically legal.
- If much darker, you are likely below the 35% requirement.
- Reflectivity:
- No mirror-like or chrome finish? → Good.
- Neutral gray/charcoal look? → Less likely to cause issues.
- Medical needs:
- There is no Kansas medical exemption for darker auto tint, so everyone follows the same limits.
If your tint is close to the limit, the only way to know for sure is to have it checked with a meter
at a reputable tint shop or by law enforcement.
Important Legal Note
This page is a plain-language summary of K.S.A. 8-1749a and related definitions in K.S.A. 8-1749b,
along with guidance from the Kansas Highway Patrol.
It is not formal legal advice and might not cover every exception (for example, clearly marked law-enforcement vehicles)
or any future changes to the law.
For a serious ticket, court case, or very custom tint setup, you should read the current Kansas statutes
and, if needed, talk with an attorney or your local police or Highway Patrol office.
Summary
To stay comfortable and legal on Kansas roads:
- Keep all tinted windows at about 35% VLT or lighter.
- Limit windshield tint to a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line, and avoid red, yellow, or amber.
- Avoid mirrored or highly reflective films on any window.
- Use dual side mirrors if your rear window tint reduces your rear view.
- Remember there is no medical exemption for darker tint in Kansas.
Follow these guidelines and you can enjoy cooler, more private windows without constantly worrying about Kansas tint tickets.