North Dakota Tint Laws

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North Dakota Tint Laws

North Dakota first enacted its auto window tinting laws in 2003, and while tint regulations in the state are still suitable to cover most modern window tint products, know that window film laws can change from time to time and keep in mind some newer types of tinting did not exist when North Dakota tint laws were enacted nearly two decades ago.

To make sure your car, truck, or SUV meets current North Dakota window tint law it’s a smart idea to know the exact visible light transmission percent (or VLT% as it is usually abbreviated) which means how transparent and see-through or opaque and private the tint is, and to make sure your windows meet current VLT% rules for each window of your automobile.

Car window tinting is a sound investment for any vehicle owner who is thinking both of short-term looks and function of a car and the long-term value of the vehicle. In North Dakota car tinting adds privacy and improves style the day it’s applied and can also lower cabin temperatures and reduce glare even on hot summer days, making the vehicle cooler, more comfortable and cost effective, and safer to drive.

In the long view, window tinting for cars blocks 99% of the UV light that causes interior surfaces to fade, discolor, and crack, so vehicles will maintain the quality of their interior appearance and hold a higher sale value.

Car window film is a great investment and in North Dakota you are allowed much more latitude than in many states when it comes to window tint darkness and color, so go ahead and get the best window tint for your car’s looks, performance, and to protect its re-sale value thanks to the permissive tint laws in North Dakota.

Take note that unlike you find in almost all states where different window tinting rules apply to cars and to larger vehicles, the same laws apply equally to cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs in North Dakota.

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

50% 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

ALL VEHICLE TYPES

70% tint can be used for the windshield.

laws for sedans & coupes

Front Windows

ALL VEHICLE TYPES

Includes Trucks, SUVs, Vans, Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks

43% Tint (VLT%)

Rear Passenger Windows

for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks

Any shade of tint can be used on the rear passenger windows

Rear Window

for Sedans, Coupes, & Hatchbacks

Any shade can be used for the rear window

Windshield

ALL VEHICLE TYPES

70% tint can be used for 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.

 

North Dakota Highway Patrol – Allowed percentage of tint on vehicle windows

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.