Ohio Tint Laws
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Ohio Tint Laws
The state of Ohio enacted its first car window tinting laws in 2004, so window tint regulations in Ohio are still applicable to most modern window film products, but keep in mind that window film rules in Ohio do change from time to time, and know some newer types of window tinting did not exist when Ohio’s tint laws were enacted more than a decade and a half ago and thus might be harder to certify as compliant with the state’s current rules. When in doubt, talk to a certified window tint installation expert.
To be sure your vehicle’s tint meets current Ohio window film laws it’s a wise idea to check the exact visible light transmission (or VLT as it is abbreviated) percent, which signifies how transparent and see-through or dark and private the window tint is (lower VLT%, like 5%, means a darker, more private, and less see-through film) and ensure that VLT is legal for the tinted window in question.
Car window film is a great investment for any motor vehicle owner who thinks both of the looks and function of the car as they drive it daily and who worries about the long-term value of the car as an investment. In Ohio car tint adds privacy and style and lowers cabin temperatures every day you drive your car, but looked at over the course of years, window tinting blocks 99% of the dangerous and damaging UV light that causes the interior surfaces like dashboards and upholstery to fade, discolor, and crack, so cars with window tint maintain the quality looks of their interior and have a higher sale value later. That means in most cases window tint will more than pay for itself.
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.
% 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.
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.