Florida window tint law
The Florida tint law, explained straight.
I tint cars to these limits every day, so here is the plain version of what Florida actually allows, front to back, car versus SUV, and the windshield. No scare tactics, just what the law says and what it means for your car.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Start here
What VLT means
VLT stands for visible light transmission, the share of light a window lets through. A higher number is lighter film, a lower number is darker. When the law says your front windows have to be at least 28 percent, it means at least 28 percent of the light has to get through the glass and the film together.
The legal limits
How dark you can go, by window
The front side windows are the same on every vehicle. Where it changes is behind the driver: Florida lets SUVs, trucks, vans, and minivans go darker in the back than a car can.
| Window | Car / sedan | SUV, truck, van |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Clear strip above the AS-1 line only | Clear strip above the AS-1 line only |
| Front side windows | 28% VLT or lighter | 28% VLT or lighter |
| Rear side windows | 15% VLT or lighter | 6% VLT or lighter |
| Rear window (back glass) | 15% VLT or lighter | 6% VLT or lighter |
An SUV, truck, van, or minivan is what the statute calls a multipurpose passenger vehicle: built on a truck chassis or for occasional off-road use, carrying ten people or fewer. That is why the back of an SUV can run darker than the back of a sedan.
The windshield
A clear strip at the top, and that is it
Florida only provides for a transparent strip of film along the very top of the windshield, above what is called the AS-1 line, and it cannot reach down into your forward view. Film across the rest of the windshield is not something the statute allows for.
If you are thinking about windshield film anyway, I will not pretend the rule is not there. Come read how I handle it on the auto page and decide with the facts in front of you.
Reflectivity and color
No mirror finish
Darkness is not the only limit. The law also caps how reflective, or mirror-like, your film can be: no more than 25 percent reflectance on the front side windows and no more than 35 percent behind the driver. That is what keeps a car from running a full chrome-mirror look.
Florida writes its rules around darkness and reflectance rather than a list of banned colors. If you have a specific color or finish in mind, ask me and we will make sure it lands inside the limits.
Medical exemption
When the law makes room for darker film
Florida allows a medical exemption for people with conditions like lupus, an autoimmune disease, or another condition that calls for limited exposure to light. The state issues a certificate tied to your specific vehicle, with a decal, and it does not transfer if you sell the car.
That process runs through the state, not through me. If you have a certificate or think you qualify, bring it in and I will work with whatever it allows.
If you are stopped
A fix-it ticket, not a crime
A tint violation in Florida is a noncriminal, nonmoving traffic infraction. That means no points on your license and no criminal charge. It is the kind of citation that is usually cleared by bringing the vehicle back within the limits. I would rather you know the rule up front and choose with your eyes open than get a surprise on the side of the road.
Common questions
Quick answers
How dark can I legally tint my windows in Florida?
Your front side windows have to let at least 28 percent of light through. Behind the driver, a car or sedan has to let at least 15 percent through, while an SUV, truck, or van can go down to 6 percent. The windshield is limited to a clear strip at the very top.
Is 20 percent tint legal in Florida?
On the windows behind the driver, yes: 20 percent is above the 15 percent minimum for a car and well above the 6 percent for an SUV or truck. On your front side windows, no: 20 percent is below the 28 percent the law requires up front.
Can you tint your windshield in Florida?
The law only provides for a transparent strip of film along the very top of the windshield, above the AS-1 line, that does not reach into your forward view. Film across the rest of the windshield is not something the statute allows for. If you are weighing it anyway, I will talk you through it honestly.
Is the tint law different for SUVs and trucks?
Yes, behind the driver. Florida treats SUVs, trucks, vans, and minivans as multipurpose passenger vehicles, and it lets them run their rear side windows and back glass down to 6 percent, versus 15 percent for a car. The front side windows are the same 28 percent on every vehicle.
Will a tint ticket put points on my license?
No. A tint violation in Florida is a noncriminal, nonmoving traffic infraction. That means no points on your license, and it is not a criminal charge. It is the kind of citation that is usually cleared by bringing the vehicle back into compliance.
What is a medical exemption for window tint?
Florida allows an exemption for people with conditions like lupus, an autoimmune disease, or another condition that calls for limited light exposure. The state issues a certificate tied to your vehicle, and it does not transfer if you sell the car. If you think you qualify, that process runs through the state, and I will work with whatever your certificate allows.
One honest caveat.
This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Laws change, and the final word is the Florida statute and the state itself. Verify anything that matters with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Last reviewed July 2026.
I install tint that stays inside the lines.
Legal, hand-cut, and priced up front. Pick your vehicle and see the number, then drop it off in Freeport.