Alberta Window Tint Laws: Complete Guide
Alberta doesn’t use a tint percentage for the front of your vehicle. Instead, section 70 of the Vehicle Equipment Regulation bans any film on the windshield or the side windows beside or ahead of the driver, whether it’s dark, light, or clear. Everything behind the driver is open: the rear side windows and rear window can be as dark as you like, as long as you have outside mirrors on both sides. Drivers with certain medical conditions can apply for a permit to use clear UV film up front.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
Front side windows
No film of any kind, including clear film
Windshield
No aftermarket film, not even a sun strip. Factory glass is fine
Rear side and rear windows
Any darkness. A tinted rear window needs outside mirrors on both sides
SUVs, vans, and trucks
Same rules as cars
Medical exemptions
Available by permit for specific conditions, allowing clear UV film of 50% or lighter
Penalties
A ticket, plus a defect notice ordering the film removed
Darkest Legal Tint by Vehicle Type in Alberta
Windshield
No aftermarket film
Front side windows
No aftermarket film
Rear side windows
No limit
Rear window
No limit, with outside mirrors on both sides
Windshield
No aftermarket film
Front side windows
No aftermarket film
Rear side windows
No limit
Rear window
No limit, with outside mirrors on both sides
Alberta’s rule is based on window position: any window beside or ahead of the driver stays film-free, regardless of the vehicle.
Windshield tint rules and Sun Strips
The regulation prohibits covering the windshield with any transparent, translucent, or opaque material, and it doesn’t carve out an exception for a strip across the top. That makes Alberta stricter than British Columbia, which allows a 75 mm band.
What you can keep is the tint built into the glass at the factory, including the shade band many windshields have above the AS-1 line. That’s part of the glass, not added material.
- A sun strip or visor band that would be legal in BC can still get you a ticket in Alberta.
Reflectivity and Color Restrictions
On the windshield and front side windows, no film is allowed at all, so reflective and coloured films are out along with everything else. Alberta’s equipment rules have also long banned material that reflects sunlight into other drivers’ eyes, so keep mirrored film off the rear glass too.
Understanding VLT
VLT (visible light transmission) is the share of visible light that passes through a window. Many provinces and states set a VLT minimum for front windows. Alberta doesn’t, because no film is allowed there in the first place.
- Factory glass is fine. The ban targets material added to the glass, so tint built in by the manufacturer is legal.
- Clear film counts too. The rule covers transparent material, so even a nearly clear UV or ceramic film on the front windows breaks it, unless you hold a medical exemption permit.
- VLT matters for medical permits. Permit holders can use clear UV film only if the glass and film together let in at least 50% of light.
Certification, Stickers, and Inspection
Film certification and stickers
Alberta doesn't require film certification or a compliance sticker.
Installers are covered too
The rule bans installing film on front windows, not just driving with it, so a shop that applies it is also breaking the regulation.
You're still the one ticketed
Whoever installed it, it's illegal to drive a vehicle whose front glass doesn't comply.
Bringing a vehicle into Alberta
Vehicles from other provinces need an inspection before they can be registered here, and front window film will need to come off.
Medical Exemptions
Alberta is one of the few provinces with an official tint exemption. If a medical condition requires you to be protected from sunlight, you can apply for a permit that allows clear UV film on the front side windows.
- Who qualifies: Drivers with a valid Alberta driver’s licence who have diagnosed or recurrent skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell, or squamous cell) or Bullous Pemphigus.
- Not accepted: Photophobia, migraine, cataracts, and rosacea.
- What you need: A letter from your physician that clearly states the condition.
- How it works: Apply by email to the Government of Alberta. Review can take several weeks. If approved, you pay a $55 permit fee and must carry the permit in the vehicle.
- What’s allowed: Clear UV film with a combined light transmission of 50% or more.
Penalties
Situation
Front window or windshield film
Not removing the film by the defect notice deadline
A second, separate ticket
Fine amounts are set by Alberta’s specified penalty schedule and change over time, so check the amount on your ticket.
How a Defect Notice Works
1
You're stopped and ticketed
An officer who sees film on your front glass can issue a ticket.
2
You get a defect notice
It orders you to remove the film within a set time.
3
If you miss the deadline
If you miss the deadline, police can issue a second ticket for failing to follow the officer’s direction.
Choosing Legal Film in Alberta
Maximum legal privacy
Go as dark as you want on the rear side windows and rear window, and leave the front glass untouched.
Heat rejection
Put high-performance ceramic or IR film on the rear glass, where any shade is legal.
Sun sensitivity
If you have a qualifying condition, apply for a medical permit before adding clear UV film up front.
FAQ
What is the legal tint percentage in Alberta?
Alberta doesn’t set one for the front windows: no film is allowed on the windshield or the side windows beside the driver. The rear side windows and rear window have no limit, as long as you have outside mirrors on both sides.
Is 70% tint legal on front windows in Alberta?
No. Any film on the front side windows is illegal, however light it is, unless you hold a medical exemption permit.
Is limo (5%) tint legal in Alberta?
Only on the rear side windows and rear window.
Can you put a sun strip on your windshield in Alberta?
No. The regulation doesn’t allow any aftermarket material on the windshield, including a strip across the top. A factory shade band is fine.
Does Alberta allow medical tint exemptions?
Yes, for drivers with diagnosed or recurrent skin cancer or Bullous Pemphigus. Approved drivers pay a $55 permit fee and can use clear UV film with at least 50% light transmission.
What happens if I get caught with illegal tint in Alberta?
You can get a ticket and a defect notice requiring you to remove the film. Missing the deadline can bring a second ticket.
Are SUVs subject to different tint laws in Alberta?
No. The same rules apply to cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups.
Do I need a tint sticker in Alberta?
No. Alberta does not use tint compliance stickers.
Can a tint shop get in trouble for tinting my front windows?
Yes. The regulation bans installing film on those windows, so the shop is breaking the rule too. You can still be ticketed for driving with it.
Can I drive in Alberta with tint that's legal in another province?
The regulation applies to anyone driving on Alberta roads, so front window film that’s legal in Ontario or Quebec can still be ticketed here.
Sources
Disclaimer
Please be aware that the accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or timeliness of the US and Canadian window tint law information provided on these pages is not guaranteed. The information provided on this webpage is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Window tint rules and fines can change, so confirm current requirements with Alberta Transportation before installing film. Users are solely responsible for determining which laws apply to their specific circumstances. Window Film Pros assumes no responsibility or liability for any decisions or actions taken based on this information.
