Delaware Tint Laws
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Delaware Tint Laws
Applying window tint to the windshield and windows of a car is one of the best enhancements you can make to a vehicle. Window film for cars can block damaging UV light and protect the interior and can reduce heat inside the cabin, making it more comfortable and energy efficient. Unlike with a new paint job for a car, however, in Delaware there are laws governing what type of window tint can be used and on what windows of a vehicle it can be applied.
Delaware window tint laws were first implemented in the early 1990s and are updated from time to time. The state’s tint laws are more clear cut than those in many states and are relatively permissive, but as you can receive multiple tickets for breaching Delaware tint rules, it’s a good idea to have a thorough understanding of them before you have aftermarket window tint applied, and it’s a good idea to know one term quite well: VLT.
The technical term for window tint darkness is Visible Light Transmission, which is abbreviated as VLT. A higher VLT rating means a clearer window, while a lower rating means a dark tinting – for example, limousines usually have a 5% VLT, also known as limo tint, while a 90% VLT would add just the lightest shading to a window without blocking the view into the car. Note that even much lighter and almost clear tints can still block 99% of the sun’s harmful UV light and much of the hot IR (infrared) light, so don’t think that you need dark window tint to get the benefits of window film; dark tint adds more privacy, but not necessarily more cooling or sun protection.
Please note: The accuracy, completeness, adequacy or currency of the content is not warranted or guaranteed. We are not lawyers or a law firm and we do not provide legal advice. We recommend you consult a lawyer or other appropriate professional if you want legal advice.
CLICK ON INDICATORS TO VIEW TINT LAWS FOR SPECIFIC WINDOWS
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 from the AS-1 Line up. This is the line extending from the letters AS-1, found on most motor vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.
sedans & coupes
Front Windows
ALL VEHICLE TYPES
Includes Trucks, SUVs, Vans, Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
70% Tint (VLT%)
Rear Passenger Windows
for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
Any shade of tint can be used for the rear window.
Rear Window
for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks
Any shade of tint can be used for the rear window.
Windshield Visor
ALL VEHICLE TYPES
Any shade of tint can be used from the AS-1 Line up. 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.
Delaware Code Title 21, section 4313: Safety glass; . . .window tinting; and section 4313A: Commercial window tinting. (open link and scroll down to relevant sections)
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.