West virginia Tint Laws
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West Virginia Tint Laws
West Virginia vehicle window tint laws were first enacted in the year 1991 making them some of the oldest in the nation. In the three decades since the window film laws in West Virginia were first passed, there have been myriad developments and changes in the auto window tint products and installation techniques, so it’s important to regularly check and make sure you have legal window tint in West Virginia, as the fines for illegal window tint in the state can reach as high as $200 per infraction and repeated citations can be issued if you don’t get your banned window tint replaced or removed.
That said, window tint for a car in West Virginia is the best way to protect the interior of the car, truck, or SUV against the damage ultraviolet light can cause to the upholstery, dashboard, consoles, and other surfaces. UV damage can reduce the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, making it worth less in resale value and less enjoyable for you, the current owner. And as UV light passing through regular glass can also cause skin damage that can lead to premature signs of aging and even to skin cancers, UV-blocking window tint is also an issue of health and safety.
Car window tint in West Virginia also blocks much of the hot infrared light that heats up the inside of your car, so blocking the IR light can keep the car cooler and more comfortable and make it more cost efficient by reducing the need for fuel and battery draining air conditioning.
And of course adding car tint in West Virginia enhances the looks and style of your car and can add privacy, keeping you, your family, or any other passengers in the vehicle more private and safe from the unwanted views of people in other cars or out walking on the streets.
Given the many benefits of window tinting for cars, it’s a great idea to have window film applied to your vehicle as long as it meets all West Virginia car tint rules. We’ll go through the types of tint allowed and the types banned for each window and each vehicle type to make sure there is no confusion as to what tint is legal 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
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 5" from the top of the windshield. 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 5" from the top of the windshield. 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.
West Virginia Code, Article 17C, Chapter 15, Section 17C-15-36a: Sun-screening devices; penalty (scroll down to Section 17C-15-36a: Sun-screening devices; penalty.)
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.