New York Window Tint Laws
New York requires 70% VLT on the windshield, front side windows and car rear side windows; SUVs, vans and pickups are free behind the driver, and the rear window may be darker with side mirrors.
New York Window Tint Laws Chart
Official New York Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under New York vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | 70% | 70% |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | 70% | 70% |
| Back Side Windows Rear passenger compartment | 70% | Any darkness |
| Rear Window (Back Glass) Back windshield | 70% | 70% |
| Reflectivity Limit Mirror sheen restriction | Max 20% | Max 20% |
Fines and Penalties for Illegal Tint in New York
Operating a vehicle with tint darker than statutory limits is classified as a misdemeanor. Citations escalate significantly upon repeat violations:
First Conviction
Classified as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 and/or up to 10 days in jail.
Second Conviction
Fine of up to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Third Conviction
Criminal citation with a fine up to $300 and/or up to 3 months in jail (within 1 year).
New York Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides to tint the rear window below 70%.
Prohibited Tint Colors
The statute bans no specific colors.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
No installer label is required. There is only a sticker for medical exemptions, or a compliance label if the DMV tests the window after a ticket.
Medical Tint Exemptions
Granted by the DMV (form MV-80W) with a statement from a physician or nurse practitioner stating the condition and the minimum light level. Only for conditions on the Department of Health list (albinism, lupus, porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, dermatomyositis, severe drug-induced photosensitivity, photophobia, etc.). The DMV issues a sticker for each exempt window. It covers the windshield and front side windows.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in New York? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in New York, front side windows must allow at least 70% light transmission (VLT). Back side windows allow 70%, and the rear window requires 70%. For SUVs, vans, and trucks (MPVs), the rear side and back glass allow Any darkness.
Can you tint the front windshield in New York? +
Under New York law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: 70% (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through New York? +
While law enforcement in New York enforces the state vehicle code (N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §375(12-a)), officers generally extend interstate reciprocity to visiting motorists whose vehicles comply with the legal tint statutes of their home registration state. However, if the tint is excessively dark and prevents officers from seeing the driver, you can still be stopped for safety verification.
Is 20% or 5% (limo tint) legal in New York? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in New York because they block significantly more light than the statutory limit of 70% VLT. On SUVs, trucks, and vans, 20% or 5% limo tint is legally permissible only on the windows behind the driver (rear sides and back window).
How do police test window tint in New York, and is there an official tolerance? +
Police officers and state troopers use handheld, certified light meters that slide over the roll-down window to measure total net light transmission. New York statutes recognize a Not specified. to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does New York allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, New York permits medical tint waivers for individuals with certified photosensitivity or UV-reactive conditions (such as lupus or porphyria). An official affidavit signed by a licensed physician must be approved and carried in the vehicle at all times.
Do I need a compliance certification sticker on my windows in New York? +
A compliance label between the glass is not legally mandated in New York, but the vehicle must be capable of passing an optical light meter test during routine traffic stops or state inspections.
What are the penalties and fines for illegal window tint in New York? +
Driving with non-compliant tint is classified as a traffic infraction or misdemeanor. First convictions carry fines starting around $100 plus court costs, typically accompanied by a 'fix-it' compliance order requiring removal or replacement of the illegal film.
Top-Rated Window Tint Shops in New York
Certified installers guaranteeing 100% compliance with statutory VLT standards and state certification labels.
Exclusive Window Tinting NYC - Paint Protection Film PPF - Ceramic Coating
📍 Staten Island, NY
Sam's Professional Window Tinting Inc
📍 Bear Mountain, NY
Tintmax Automotive® | Paint Protection | Detailing | Ceramic Coating | Window Tinting | Certified XPEL
📍 Nueva York, NY
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