Utah Tint Laws
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Utah Tint Laws
Too often, people think of car window tint in Utah as simply about adding privacy and changing the look of a vehicle. In fact, auto window tint is one of the best ways to protect the interior of a car against damage caused by ultraviolet light, the leading cause of the fading, cracking, and discoloring to upholstery and other surfaces that can ruin a car’s interior looks for its current owner and can reduce its resale value as well. Window film for cars can also reduce the interior heat caused by infrared light during the long, warm summers in Utah. Window tinting cars can reduce fuel and battery drain by reducing the need for AC use, and that saves a driver money along with making the car more comfortable.
However, because some types of window tint are illegal in Utah, tinting car windows can also cause its share of problems if you get illegal window tint. Utah police and inspectors can use handheld, portable devices to check window tint darkness so if you have illegal tint, you will get cited for it eventually. The most important factor when it comes to legal car window tint in Utah is the tint’s VLT percentage, VLT being the standard acronym for visible light transmission. In simpler terms, VLT refers to how much or how little light tint allows to pass through, so a window tint with a very low VLT% is quite dark (5% is often called “limo tint”) while a very high VLT% is quite clear (95% would be almost transparent).
To avoid a window tint ticket in Utah, take careful note of the rules for window tint for vehicles registered in the state.
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
43% 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
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 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.
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.