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Texas Tint Laws

At Shade Setters, we want to make sure our customers stay informed on the laws regarding window tint in the great state of Texas. We get asked all the time what the laws are our how dark can I go legally? It's important to know these regulations to avoid getting a ticket or failing inspection. We have the answers for you! If you have any questions about the laws, don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to help.

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Window tint meter, window tint inspection

Texas first enacted vehicle tint laws in 2009. These laws lay out how dark you are allowed to tint your vehicle, truck van or SUV. Some vehicles are exempt from the window tint requirements. This tint exemption applies to law enforcement vehicles, taxis, buses, limousines, and vehicles used by people with medical permits.
 

Texas regulates the amount of light allowed thru the vehicles windows. In other words your window tint must allow a certain % of light to pass thru the windows or (VLT) Visible Light Transmission as it's known by. This law contains certain regulations depending on the type of vehicle you drive: Sedan, SUV or Van or if you have side view mirrors.

The Laws

These laws are from the Texas Department of Safety website. We try to keep this page updated as much as possible. if anything is unclear please refer to the Texas department of safety website.

Windshield

Sunscreening devices can be applied to the windshield if all of the conditions below are met.

  1. Sunscreening devices must be applied above the AS-1 line. If there is no AS-1 line, sunscreening devices must end five inches below the top of the windshield.

  2. Sunscreening devices may not be red, amber, or blue in color.

  3. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.

  4. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

  5. A clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield without a medical exemption being required.

Side Windows to The Right and Left of The Driver

Sunscreening devices can be applied to the side windows to the right and left of the driver if the following conditions are met.

  1. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.

  2. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

Side Windows to The Rear of The Driver

These windows are completely exempted from regulation under the Texas Transportation Code.

Rear Window

A sunscreening device can be applied to the rear window of the vehicle if the following conditions are met.

  1. If a motor vehicle is equipped with an outside mirror on each side of the vehicle that reflects to the vehicle operator a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle then there are no restrictions regarding the sunscreening devices applied to the rear window.

If a motor vehicle is not equipped with such mirrors then the rear window must meet the following standards:

  1. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.

  2. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

Window Tint Exemptions

Below are the exemptions to Window Tint requirements.

  1. Law Enforcement - Vehicles that are maintained by a law enforcement agency and used for law enforcement purposes.

  2. Medical Exception - used by persons for medical reasons.

  3. Passenger Transport – vehicles used to transport passengers on a regular basis for a fee, (i.e., taxi, limousine, and buses)

Medical Tint Exception

If a motorist needs a vehicle's windows tinted on the two front windows darker than the 25% requirement, because of a medical condition, a medical exception is required.

ACQUIRE A MEDICAL EXEMPTION

Motorists must obtain a signed medical exemption statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist, which should:

  • Identify with reasonable specificity the driver or occupant of the vehicle; and

  • State that, in the physician's or optometrist's professional opinion, the equipping of the vehicle with sunscreening devices is necessary to safeguard the health of the driver or occupant of the vehicle.

NOTE: The signed medical exemption statement will suffice as proof of a medical exception.

NOTICE

As of 01/01/2019 the Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, will no longer issue Window Tint Exemption Certificates. The Department will not be accepting, nor reviewing applications for the certificate.

VEHICLE OPERATION

  • Motorists must present this signed medical exemption statement when the vehicle is presented for annual inspection.

  • Motorist must keep the signed medical exemption statement in the vehicle and present it to an officer in case of a traffic stop.

At Shade Setters, we take customer safety seriously. While we offer high-quality window tint installation, it is ultimately up to you to understand and abide by your state's laws. We want our customers to feel confident and secure while on the road, so make sure to do your research and stay informed on your state's laws regarding window tint. Shade Setters Ltd. Co. is not responsible for any neglect or missunderstanding of the law for on road or offroad use.

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