dc Tint Laws
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dc Tint Laws
Auto window tint is arguably the best aftermarket addition you can provide for your vehicle. Car window tinting can block up to 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet light, protecting the interior of the cabin against sun damage like fading and cracking that ruins the looks and value of the vehicle. Blocking UV light also protects the skin and eyes of anyone inside the cabin. Car tint can also block much of the sun’s hot infrared light, keeping the interior cooler and meaning less fuel and battery drained by the AC system.
Then of course there is the style and privacy that window tint adds to cars, both of which are prized by drivers. But privacy tint may also draw unwanted attention from law enforcement, as not all types of darker car window tint are legal in Washington D.C. To be sure your vehicle is in compliance with Washington D.C. car tint rules, you need to know the VLT rating, or visible light transmission rating, of your tint and you need to know Washington D.C. tint law VLT standards for each window of each vehicle type.
CLICK ON INDICATORS TO VIEW TINT LAWS FOR SPECIFIC WINDOWS
laws for suvs, trucks, & vans
Front Windows
All Vehicles
70% Tint (VLT%)
Rear Passenger Windows
Includes rear window and rear passenger
Any shade of tint can be used for trucks, SUVs, and vans ONLY
Rear Window
Includes rear window and rear passenger windows
Any shade of tint can be used for trucks, SUVs, and vans ONLY
Windshield Visor
ALL VEHICLE TYPES
Any shade of tint can be used 5" or from the AS1 Line up from the top of the windshield. This is the line extending from the letters AS-1, found on most motor vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.
laws for sedans & coupes
Front Windows
ALL VEHICLE TYPES
Includes Trucks, SUVs, Vans, Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
70% Tint (VLT%)
Rear Passenger Windows
for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
50% Tint (VLT%)
Rear Window
for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
50% Tint (VLT%)
Windshield Visor
ALL VEHICLE TYPES
Any shade of tint can be used 5" or from the AS1 Line up from the top of the windshield. This is the line extending from the letters AS-1, found on most motor vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.
% of Tint or Visible light transmission (VLT) is the measurement used to assess the amount of light passing through a piece of glass. This is the percent of visible light that passes through the film and glass to give you a net transmission percentage. The lower the VLT%, the darker the window.
Law Enforcement uses a tint meter which measures the Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of window film and glass for illegal tint.
Windshield: Several states allow medical exemptions for drivers or passengers who frequently travel in the vehicle. These exemptions usually require a licensed physician in that state to sign a waiver. Please visit your states .gov site for details.
AS-1 Line: This is the line extending from the letters AS-1, found on most motor vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.
Click above to download the Nationwide Medical Exemptions Window Tinting Directory.
If you’re driving a truck or SUV built in the last decade, chances are it’s equipped with factory tinted glass on all windows behind the front doors.
Many owners of vehicles like this often choose to only have the front windows tinted to match the back because they believe that they are already set with the rear windows.
UV Protection
While this factory tint improves the looks of the vehicle, and offers rear passengers some privacy, it does very little to help reduce the heat entering through the glass or protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Heat Rejection
The same also goes for heat rejection. Some assume that the level of heat rejection they will on the front glass is already present in the rear glass because of the factory tint. Nothing can be further from the truth. Other than having the tinted look, these windows do very little to stop the heat.
To find out what options you have to protecting your passengers and vehicles interior, click here.