Northwest Territories Window Tint Laws: Complete Guide
The Northwest Territories keeps its tint rule short. Section 58 of the Motor Vehicle Equipment Regulations says the windshield and front side windows must be free of any sunscreen or reflective coating that the manufacturer didn’t put there. There’s no percentage, no sun strip allowance, and no limit on the rear glass. Here’s what that means for drivers in Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, and across the territory.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
Front side windows
No aftermarket film or coating of any kind
Windshield
No aftermarket film, not even a sun strip. Factory glass is fine
Rear side and rear windows
No darkness limit in the regulations
SUVs, vans, and trucks
Same rules as cars
Mirrors
Every vehicle needs a left mirror plus an interior or right mirror with a clear 60 m view behind
Medical exemptions
No medical program, but the Registrar can grant vehicle exemptions by permit
Darkest Legal Tint by Vehicle Type the Northwest Territories
Windshield
No aftermarket film
Front side windows
No aftermarket film
Rear side windows
No limit
Rear window
No limit, as long as your mirrors still give a clear view behind
Windshield
No aftermarket film
Front side windows
No aftermarket film
Rear side windows
No limit
Rear window
No limit, as long as your mirrors still give a clear view behind
The rule is about window position, so a pickup’s front doors follow the same rule as a sedan’s.
Windshield tint rules and Sun Strips
The regulation covers the whole windshield, with no exception for a band across the top. That makes the NWT stricter than British Columbia, which allows a 75 mm strip. A visor strip is a coating that the manufacturer didn’t apply, so it isn’t allowed.
What you can keep is the tint built into the glass at the factory, including the shade band above the AS-1 line on many windshields. Factory glass must meet the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which the regulations require anyway.
- Long summer days mean low sun for hours. A good pair of sunglasses is the legal answer to windshield glare in the NWT.
Reflectivity and Color Restrictions
Section 58 specifically names reflective material, so mirrored film is out on the windshield and front side windows. Coloured films are covered by the same ban. The regulations don’t restrict reflectivity or colour on the rear glass, but highly mirrored film can create glare for other drivers, so most installers steer away from it.
Understanding VLT
VLT (visible light transmission) is the share of visible light that passes through a window. Many provinces set a VLT minimum for front windows. The NWT doesn’t need one, because aftermarket film isn’t allowed there at all.
- Factory glass is fine. Tint built in by the manufacturer is legal.
- Clear UV film still counts. The ban covers any sunscreen coating on the front glass, and UV-blocking film is a sunscreen product even when it looks clear. Keep it to the rear windows.
- Rear glass has no minimum. Any VLT is legal on the rear side and rear windows, including limo-dark 5% film.
Certification, Stickers, and Inspection
Film certification and stickers
The NWT doesn't require film certification or a compliance sticker.
Using a professional shop doesn't protect you
The rule applies to the person operating the vehicle, whoever installed the film.
Visiting from another province
The regulations apply to any vehicle operating on an NWT highway, so front window film that's legal elsewhere can still be ticketed here.
Factory glass
Vehicles must meet the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which already set the limits for factory-tinted glass.
Medical Exemptions
The NWT doesn’t have a dedicated medical tint exemption program like Alberta’s. However, section 3 of the regulations lets the Registrar of Motor Vehicles issue a permit exempting a vehicle from a provision of the regulations, with any restrictions the Registrar considers necessary.
If you have a medical condition that makes sun exposure a serious concern, contact the GNWT’s Driver and Vehicle Services before installing anything on the front glass, and ask whether a permit is possible. Don’t install film first and hope for approval.
The rear side and rear windows can already be tinted as dark as you like.
Penalties
Driving with film on the windshield or front side windows is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act and its regulations. Expect a ticket and the cost of having the film removed to bring the vehicle back into compliance. Fine amounts are set in the territory’s ticket schedule and can change, so check the amount on your ticket.
Choosing Legal Film in the Northwest Territories
Maximum legal privacy
Go as dark as you want on the rear side windows and rear window, and leave the front glass untouched.
Heat and UV protection
Put high-performance ceramic or IR film on the rear glass, where any shade is legal.
Windshield glare
Rely on your factory shade band and sunglasses. Aftermarket strips aren't allowed.
FAQ
What is the legal tint percentage in the Northwest Territories?
There isn’t one for the front: no aftermarket film is allowed on the windshield or front side windows. The rear side windows and rear window have no limit.
Is 70% tint legal on front windows in the NWT?
No. Any aftermarket sunscreen coating on the front side windows breaks the rule, however light it is.
Can I put clear UV film on my front windows?
Not safely. The regulation bans any sunscreen coating on the front glass that the manufacturer didn’t apply, and clear UV film is a sunscreen product.
Is limo (5%) tint legal in the NWT?
Only on the rear side windows and rear window.
Can I put a sun strip on my windshield?
No. The rule covers the whole windshield, including the top. A factory shade band is fine.
Do I need side mirrors if my rear window is tinted?
You need a left mirror plus an inside or right mirror that gives a clear view 60 m behind. If dark rear tint blocks your inside mirror, a right-side mirror has to do the job.
Are SUVs subject to different tint laws in the NWT?
No. The same rules apply to cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups.
Does the NWT allow medical tint exemptions?
There’s no dedicated medical program, but the Registrar can issue a permit exempting a vehicle from the regulations. Ask Driver and Vehicle Services before installing anything.
Do the same rules apply in Yukon and Nunavut?
No. Each territory has its own regulations, so check the rules for the territory you’re driving in.
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 GNWT Driver and Vehicle Services 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.
