North Carolina Tint Laws
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North Carolina Tint Laws
North Carolina first enacted window tint laws for cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles in 2001, and while tint laws in NC are still applicable to most modern window film products, know that tint laws can change from year to year and that some newer types of tint did not exist when North Carolina tint laws were created.
To make sure your vehicle meets current North Carolina window tint law it’s a smart idea to know the exact VLT% (or visible light transmission percent, which means how light and see-through or dark and private the glass is) and to make sure you meet for VLT% rules for each window of your vehicle type.
Car window film is a good investment for anyone thinking of both short-term performance and looks of a car as well as long-term re-value of the vehicle. In North Carolina car tint adds privacy and enhances style the very day it’s applied and it lowers cabin temperatures even on long, hot southern summer days, making the car stay cooler, comfortable, and cost effective based on reduced battery and fuel savings thanks to less AC use.
In the long run, window tint blocks 99% of the ultraviolet light that causes interior fading, bleaching, and cracking on upholstery and hard surfaces so a vehicle will maintain its interior appearance and sale value.
Car window tint is a great investment, but because illegal window tint in North Carolina can come with hefty fines, you have to be sure your vehicle window tint meets with NC window film laws.
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 from the AS1 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.
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 from the AS1 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.
North Carolina DMV – Window Tinting
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.