In Minnesota, legal tint is measured by VLT — the percentage of light the filmed glass lets through. The numbers below are the darkest tint the law allows at each window position, labeled VLT MAX: install film darker than the listed VLT and the vehicle is out of compliance. Figures are compiled from official Minnesota state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows | 50% — no side window may be composed of or treated with material with a light transmittance of less than 50 percent plus or minus 3 percent, or a luminous reflectance of more than 20 percent plus or minus 3 percent (Subd. 4(3)) | |
| Rear side windows (cars) | 50% — the same clause covers any side window, beside or behind the driver (Subd. 4(3)) | |
| Rear windshield (cars) | 50% — the same clause names the rear window alongside the side windows (Subd. 4(3)) | |
| Windshield | No tint material at all — any material that makes the windshield more reflective or in any other way reduces light transmittance through it is barred (Subd. 4(1)); the tint subdivisions allow no top strip | |
| Film marking | Material applied after August 1, 1985 must be identified by a permanent marking stating the percentage of transmittance and the percentage of reflectance of the material, readable when installed (Subd. 4(4)) |
How to Read These Numbers
- Front side windows: Front side windows — driver and front passenger — are the most tightly regulated and the ones checked first at a traffic stop or inspection.
- Rear side windows (cars): Rear side windows are usually allowed darker than the fronts, and on SUVs, trucks and vans they are sometimes exempt from the passenger-car limit.
- Rear windshield (cars): The windshield rule controls the strip at the top of the glass and how far film or a visor band may extend down. Most states allow a non-reflective strip above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
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Minnesota Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Minnesota?
For front side windows, Minnesota allows tint down to 50% — no side window may be composed of or treated with material with a light transmittance of less than 50 percent plus or minus 3 percent, or a luminous reflectance of more than 20 percent plus or minus 3 percent (Subd. 4(3)) — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What happens if my tint is darker than Minnesota allows?
Over-dark tint can draw a citation and, in many states, a fix-it order requiring the film to be removed and the vehicle re-inspected. Laws also change — verify the current statute before tinting.