Driving in Florida without some sort of tint can feel like sitting in an oven. But the state has clear rules on how dark you can go. This page explains the main Florida window tint laws in simple language.
Quick Rules at a Glance
- Windshield (all vehicles): Only a transparent, non-reflective strip is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line. No dark film across the full windshield.
- Front side windows (all vehicles): Must allow at least 28% of light in (28% VLT or lighter) and no more than 25% reflective.
- Sedans & coupes – rear side windows: Must allow at least 15% of light in (15% VLT+).
- Sedans & coupes – rear window: Must allow at least 15% of light in; if it is heavily tinted, the car must have dual side mirrors.
- SUVs, vans, pickups (multi-purpose vehicles) – rear side windows: Can be darker, but must still allow at least 6% of light in.
- SUVs, vans, pickups – rear window: Also can be as dark as 6% VLT, with the same dual-mirror rule.
- Reflectivity: Front side windows ≤ 25% reflective; windows behind the driver ≤ 35% reflective.
- Colors: Red, blue, and amber tint are not allowed. Legal films are usually neutral black/gray.
- Medical exemption: People with certain conditions (like Lupus or other autoimmune diseases) can get a medical tint exemption that allows darker tint on all windows.
- Label: Legal after-market tint must have a compliance sticker on the driver’s side door jamb showing it meets Florida law.
In plain terms: 28%+ on the front doors, 15%+ on the back of sedans, and down to 6% on the back of SUVs/vans,
with only a clear strip on the top of the windshield.
What Is VLT?
Florida uses Visible Light Transmission (VLT) to describe tint darkness.
- VLT is the percentage of visible light that passes through the glass and tint film together.
- High VLT (e.g., 70%) = light tint, easy to see through.
- Low VLT (e.g., 15%) = dark tint, harder to see through.
When Florida says your front side windows must be at least 28% VLT, it means the glass + film combination must let at least 28% of light in.
There is a small legal meter tolerance (about ±3%), but shops generally use films around 30–35% on the front doors to stay safe.
Windshield Tint Rules in Florida
The windshield has the strictest limits because it is your main field of vision.
- You cannot apply dark film across the whole windshield.
- You may only apply transparent sunscreening material along a strip at the top of the windshield.
- This strip must stay within the windshield’s AS-1 portion (marked by the manufacturer) and must not encroach on your direct forward view.
In everyday terms: a thin, clearish strip across the top of the windshield is okay; a fully tinted windshield is not.
Tint Darkness for Sedans & Coupes
Front Side Windows
- Must allow at least 28% VLT (so 28% or lighter tint).
- Can reflect no more than 25% of visible light (no mirror-like front glass).
- Dark films like 15% or 5% “limo” on the front doors are too dark under Florida law.
Rear Side Windows
- On passenger cars, these must allow at least 15% of light in.
- They also must not be more than 35% reflective.
- You can get a noticeably darker look here than on the front doors, but not total blackout.
Rear Window
- Must allow at least 15% of light in on sedans/coupes.
- Reflectivity is again limited to 35% or less.
- If the rear window is tinted so you cannot see clearly through it, the car must have side mirrors on both sides that give a good rear view.
A very common legal sedan setup in Florida is:
28–35% on the front doors, and around 15–20% on the rear doors and rear window.
Tint Darkness for SUVs, Vans & Pickups (Multi-Purpose Vehicles)
Florida gives more flexibility to vehicles classed as “multipurpose passenger vehicles” – typically SUVs, vans, pickups, and similar.
Front Side Windows
- Same as sedans: at least 28% VLT and no more than 25% reflective.
- Dark 15% or 5% tint on the front doors is still not legal.
Rear Side Windows & Rear Window
- Windows behind the driver can be significantly darker.
- Florida law allows tint with at least 6% VLT on the rear side windows and rear window of multi-purpose vehicles.
- Reflectivity is capped at about 35%, so they cannot look like mirrors.
- If the rear window is very dark, the vehicle must have dual side mirrors.
This is why you often see SUVs and minivans with:
lighter front doors and very dark “privacy glass” on the back half of the vehicle.
Reflectivity and Color Rules
Florida controls not just how dark the tint is, but also how shiny and what color it appears.
- Front side windows: May reflect no more than 25% of visible light.
- Windows behind the driver: May reflect no more than 35% of visible light.
- Colors: Red, blue, and amber tints are banned because those colors are reserved for emergency and official vehicles.
- Most legal films are neutral black, gray, or charcoal, without strong color or mirror shine.
Medical Tint Exemptions
Some people need extra protection from sunlight due to serious medical conditions.
Florida law allows medical exemptions for darker tint than the normal rules.
- Section 316.29545 covers window sunscreening exclusions for medical reasons.
- People with conditions like Lupus, certain autoimmune diseases, or other issues requiring limited light exposure may qualify.
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) uses Form HSMV 83390 for medical exemption applications.
- If approved, you get a medical exemption certificate and decal that allow darker tint (even on the windshield) than the standard law.
- The certificate is tied to a specific vehicle and becomes void if the vehicle is sold.
- You should keep your medical exemption paperwork in the vehicle in case you are stopped.
Without an approved medical exemption, police will judge your tint by the normal 28% / 15% / 6% rules.
Compliance Stickers & Labels
Florida also requires labeling for after-market tint.
- Each tint installer or seller must provide a self-destructing vinyl label stating the film complies with Florida’s tint statutes.
- The installer must affix this label to the inside left door jamb (driver’s side).
- The label has the trade name of the film and the installer’s business name.
If your vehicle has after-market tint and no label, that can make officers more suspicious about whether the tint is legal.
Penalties for Illegal Tint
Florida treats most tint violations as equipment violations, but they can still get expensive.
- Operating a vehicle with illegal sunscreening material is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punished as a nonmoving violation.
- You can receive a ticket and be required to remove or replace the illegal film.
- Each offending window can be treated as a separate violation, and total fines can add up.
- Any person or shop that sells or installs illegal tint can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, which can carry fines and possible jail time.
Is Your Tint Likely Legal in Florida?
Here is a quick checklist for a rough yes/no feel:
- Front side windows (all vehicles):
- If your film is labeled around 30–35% VLT, it likely meets the 28% rule.
- If it is labeled 20% or 5%, it is almost certainly too dark.
- Sedan rear side & rear windows:
- Should be 15% VLT or lighter (i.e., 15%+).
- SUV/van/pickup rear side & rear windows:
- Can be very dark, down to about 6% VLT, if you have dual side mirrors.
- Windshield:
- Only a transparent strip above the AS-1 line; no full-coverage windshield film.
- Color & shine:
- No red, blue, or amber film and no extreme mirror-like appearance.
- Medical condition?
- If you need darker tint for health reasons, make sure you have a valid medical exemption certificate and decal.
If your tint is close to the limits, the only way to be certain is to have it checked with an approved tint meter by a reputable shop or law enforcement.
Important Legal Note
This page is a friendly summary of Florida window tint rules based on current statutes and common interpretations.
It is not formal legal advice and may not cover every special case.
For serious questions, tickets you want to contest, or custom tint setups near the limit,
you should read the current text of Florida Statutes 316.2951–316.2957 or talk with a Florida traffic attorney.
Summary
To stay comfortable and legal on Florida roads:
- Keep front side windows at 28% VLT or lighter.
- On sedans, keep rear side and rear windows at 15% VLT or lighter (15%+).
- On SUVs/vans/pickups, you can go as dark as about 6% VLT on the back half with dual mirrors.
- Limit windshield tint to a transparent strip above the AS-1 line.
- Avoid red, blue, amber, and highly reflective films.
- Make sure your tint installer places the required compliance sticker on the driver’s door jamb.
- Use the medical exemption route if you genuinely need darker tint for health reasons.
Follow these guidelines and you can enjoy cooler, more private windows without constantly worrying about getting pulled over in Florida.