Maryland Tint Laws

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Maryland Tint Laws

Maryland tint laws allow for plenty of window darkening added to most windows on a private vehicle, so you can achieve the level of privacy, style, and sun protection you want. But any tint found to be outside Maryland tint laws can come with strictly enforced penalties, so you need to understand the car tint rules in Maryland well to make sure you don’t end up cited.

Adding car window tint to your vehicle is the most cost effective way to make the automobile safer for you as a driver and to protect the interior of your vehicle against the ravages of sun damage. Auto window tint makes it easier for you to see the road by reducing sunshine and headlight glare and it blocks hot infrared light that can heat up and break down materials in the car and dangerous ultraviolet light that causes faded and cracked interiors.


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

laws for suvs, trucks, & vans

Front Windows

All Vehicles

35% 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" 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

35% Tint (VLT%)

Rear Passenger Windows

for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks

35% Tint (VLT%)

Rear Window

for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks

35% Tint (VLT%)

Windshield Visor

ALL VEHICLE TYPES

Any shade of tint can be used 5" 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.

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% 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.

U.S. Exemption For VLT

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.