Florida Window Tint Law (2026) | Legal Tint Limits

Why the rules matter

Dark enough to help, legal enough to drive.

Florida measures tint by VLT, or Visible Light Transmission, the percentage of light a window lets through. A lower VLT means a darker window. State law (Florida Statutes 316.2951 through 316.2957) sets a floor on how much light each window has to let in, plus limits on reflectivity and color. Go past those limits and you can get pulled over, fined, or fail inspection. The good news is that modern ceramic film blocks a lot of heat and more than 99% of UV at legal shades, so you rarely have to choose between comfort and staying legal. Here's how the numbers break down.

The legal limits

How dark can you legally go?

These are the minimum VLT percentages Florida allows. Higher numbers mean lighter; you can always go lighter than the minimum, not darker.

28%

Front side windows

Driver and front passenger windows must let in more than 28% of visible light. This is the same for cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks.

15%

Sedan rear windows

On a sedan, the back side windows and rear window must allow at least 15% of visible light in.

SUV / van / truck rear

On multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, vans, pickups), the back side and rear windows can go as dark as 6% VLT.

AS-1

Windshield

Non-reflective tint is allowed only along the top of the windshield, above the AS-1 line (roughly the top 5 inches).

Reflectivity and color: Front side windows can be no more than 25% reflective and back side windows no more than 35% reflective. Tint may not be red, amber, or blue, and mirrored or metallic looks have to stay inside those reflectivity limits. If your back window is tinted, Florida also requires dual side mirrors.

So what's legal for you?

A quick read on your vehicle.

Driving a car or sedan? Fronts must stay above 28% VLT; the rear glass can go down to 15%. A common, legal setup is a 28% or lighter shade up front matched with something darker in back.

Driving an SUV, van, or pickup? Fronts still have to stay above 28%, but the whole back half can go much darker, all the way to 6% if you want maximum privacy and heat control.

Every vehicle: keep the windshield clear except for a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line, skip red, amber, and blue films, stay inside the reflectivity limits, and run dual side mirrors if the rear window is tinted. Tell us how you use the vehicle and we'll spec a shade that fits the law and does the job.

Common questions

Florida tint law FAQ.

Is 20% tint legal on my front windows in Florida?

Not on the front side windows. Those have to let in more than 28% of light, so a 20% film is too dark up front. You can legally run 20% (or darker) on the back windows of most vehicles, though. If you love the look of dark glass, we usually put the legal shade up front and go darker in back.

Can I tint my windshield?

Only a strip. Florida allows non-reflective tint on the windshield above the AS-1 line, which is roughly the top 5 inches. The rest of the windshield has to stay clear. A clear ceramic film that blocks heat and UV without darkening the glass is a popular way to protect the full windshield while staying legal.

Is ceramic tint legal in Florida?

Yes. The law regulates how much light a window lets through, not what the film is made of. Ceramic film is legal as long as the finished window meets the VLT, reflectivity, and color rules. The advantage of ceramic is that it rejects a lot of heat even at lighter, legal shades.

Is there a medical exemption for darker tint?

Yes. Florida allows a medical exemption for people with certain light-sensitive conditions, but it requires a signed certificate from a licensed physician or optometrist, and you generally need to keep that documentation with the vehicle. If you think you qualify, talk to your doctor first, then bring the paperwork to us.

This page is a helpful summary of Florida window tint law, not legal advice, and the law can change. For the exact current requirements, check Florida Statutes 316.2951–316.2957 or ask a professional. Either way, Exzact will help you pick a legal shade for your vehicle.

Legal tint, done right.

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