Connecticut Window Tint Laws

Live or drive in Connecticut and thinking about tinting your windows? This page explains the main Connecticut window tint laws in clear, simple language so you know what is legal before you tint.

Quick Rules at a Glance

Windshield: No dark film on the main glass. Only a transparent, non-red, non-amber strip is allowed at the very top, with the bottom edge at least 29 inches above the driver’s seat.
Front side windows (all vehicles): Must let in about 35% of light (law is 35% ±3%, so 32%+ VLT when measured).
Rear side windows & rear window – sedans: Also must be around 35%+ VLT (32%+ measured), unless a mirror-based exception applies.
SUVs, vans, trucks, multipurpose vehicles: Front side windows still must be about 35%+ VLT. Windows behind the driver and the rearmost window can be darker than 35% if the vehicle has dual outside mirrors giving a clear 200 ft rear view.
Reflectivity (mirror-look): Front side windows may be up to about 27% reflective; rear side windows up to about 21% reflective.
Medical exemption: With DMV approval, glass can be between about 32% and 20% VLT for qualifying conditions (you must carry the permit).
Stickers: Every non-factory tinted window must have a small compliance sticker in the lower left corner, visible from outside.

In short: think 35%+ on front doors, usually 35%+ on sedans all around, darker rears allowed on SUVs/trucks with mirrors, and only a very small, clear strip at the top of the windshield.

What Is VLT?

Connecticut, like most states, uses Visible Light Transmission (VLT) to describe how dark tint is.

VLT is the % of visible light that passes through the glass and tint film combined.
Higher VLT % = lighter tint, easier to see through.
Lower VLT % = darker tint, harder to see through.

When the law says “35% ±3%,” it means the net VLT must be about 35%, but the inspection meter will accept down to about 32%.

Windshield Tint Rules

Connecticut is very strict about the windshield.

No regular dark tint film is allowed across the main part of the windshield.
You may apply a transparent top strip:
- The bottom edge of this strip must be at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver’s seat (measured in a standard way).
- The strip cannot be red or amber.
- It must not reduce your clear view of the road.
Any full-windshield dark tint will not pass inspection and can bring a ticket.

Front Side Windows (Driver & Passenger)

This rule is the same for all vehicles (sedans, SUVs, vans, pickups, etc.).

Front side windows and front side wing vents must allow about 35% of light through, with a tolerance down to about 32% VLT.
Shops usually install 35% film (or lighter) on the front doors to stay within that range.
Dark films like 20% or 5% “limo” on front doors are nearly always too dark and will fail a meter test.

Rear Side Windows & Rear Window

Passenger Cars (Sedans, Coupes, Wagons)

Rear side windows and the rearmost window normally must follow the same standard as the front:
about 35% VLT (32%+ measured).
That means a typical legal sedan tint setup is 35% all around (front doors, rear doors, and rear glass).

SUVs, Vans, Pickups & Multipurpose Vehicles

These vehicles get more flexibility on glass behind the driver, but only if you have the right mirrors.

Front side windows: Still must be around 35%+ VLT, same as sedans.
Windows behind the driver (rear doors, cargo windows):
- Can be darker than 35% if the vehicle has dual outside mirrors that give a view at least 200 feet behind.
Rearmost window (back glass):
- Also can be darker than 35% if you have those same dual mirrors.

This is why many SUVs and minivans in Connecticut have 35% on the front doors and much darker tint (even 20% or 5%) on the rear doors and tailgate, combined with outside mirrors on both sides.

Reflectivity and Color Limits

The law also limits how shiny your tint can be, especially on side windows.

Front side windows: Maximum of about 27% reflectivity.
Rear side windows: Maximum of about 21% reflectivity.
Very mirror-like or chrome films can violate these reflectance limits.
The top windshield strip cannot be red or amber, and unusual colors that reduce visibility or mimic emergency lights are risky.

Medical Tint Exemptions (20–32% VLT)

Connecticut does allow darker tint for drivers and passengers with certain medical conditions.

You apply through the DMV’s medical tint process (using a form such as E-220).
A licensed doctor or optometrist must certify that you need extra sun protection.
With a standard exemption:
- Your glass can be between about 32% and 20% VLT.
- Tint darker than 20% is generally not approved.
You must keep the validated medical tint form in the vehicle whenever you drive.
Without the paperwork on hand, police and inspectors will treat your tint under the normal 35% rules.

Compliance Stickers & Inspection

For aftermarket (non-factory) tint, Connecticut requires a small sticker on each tinted window.

The sticker goes in the lower left corner of each tinted window, visible from outside.
It shows that the film was installed under Connecticut’s tint standards.
During inspection or a traffic stop, officers and DMV staff can:
- Look for the sticker.
- Use a light meter to test the VLT of your windows.

Missing stickers or readings below the allowed VLT can lead to inspection failure or a ticket.

Penalties for Illegal Tint

Violating Connecticut’s tint rules is usually treated as an infraction.

You can receive a ticket and be required to remove or correct the tint.
Typical total costs (fine plus fees) for a tint infraction are often in the low hundred-dollar range.
Ignoring illegal tint or failing to fix it can lead to more tickets and bigger headaches over time.

Is Your Tint Likely Legal?

Here is a quick check you can use:

Front doors: If the film is labeled around 35%, you are usually safe. If it is 20% or 5%, it is almost certainly too dark.
Sedan rear doors & rear window: Should also be around 35% or lighter unless you have a special situation.
SUV/van/truck with dual mirrors: 35% on the front doors and darker film on the rear doors and tailgate is typically okay.
Windshield: Only a narrow, clear strip at the top, bottom edge at least 29 inches above the seat, and not red or amber.
Reflective look? If your tint looks like a mirror or chrome, it may be too reflective for CT rules.

If your tint is close to the limit, the only sure way to know is to have it checked with a meter by a tint shop, DMV, or law enforcement.

Important Legal Note

This page is a plain-language summary of Connecticut window tint laws.
It is not formal legal advice and may not cover every special case or change in the law.
For real legal questions, tickets you want to fight, or custom setups right at the limit,
you should read the current state statutes and DMV regulations or speak with a Connecticut traffic attorney.

Summary

To stay comfortable and legal in Connecticut:

Keep front side windows at about 35% VLT or lighter (32%+ when measured).
On sedans, keep the rear doors and rear window around 35%+ as well.
On SUVs/vans/trucks with dual mirrors, you can go darker behind the driver and on the rearmost window.
Use only a small, non-red, non-amber top strip on the windshield, with the bottom edge at least 29″ above the seat.
Avoid mirror-like films and keep reflectivity low.
Make sure every non-factory tinted window has the required compliance sticker.
If you need darker tint for health reasons, follow the medical exemption process and keep the approval documents in your vehicle.

Follow these guidelines and you can enjoy the benefits of tinted windows without constantly worrying about getting pulled over in Connecticut.