In Texas, 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 Texas state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows (windows immediately to the right and left of the driver) | 25% VLT MAX | 25% |
| Rear side windows (side windows to the rear of the driver) | No restriction — completely exempt | No restriction — completely exempt |
| Rear windshield (rear window) — vehicle has an outside mirror on each side giving a view of the roadway for at least 200 feet to the rear | No restriction | No restriction |
| Rear windshield (rear window) — vehicle does NOT have such mirrors on both sides | 25% VLT MAX | 25% |
| Windshield strip (above the AS-1 line / top five inches) | 25% VLT MAX | 25% |
Texas Windshield Rule
Tint (a "sunscreening device") may be applied to the windshield only in a strip at the very top: it must stay above the AS-1 line marked by the manufacturer; if the windshield has no AS-1 line, it must end five inches below the top of the windshield. That strip, measured in combination with the original glass, must let through 25% or more of light and reflect 25% or less. The film may not be red, amber, or blue in color. Separately, a clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield with no medical exemption required.
How to Read These Numbers
- Front side windows (windows immediately to the right and left of the driver): 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 (side windows to the rear of the driver): 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 (rear window) — vehicle has an outside mirror on each side giving a view of the roadway for at least 200 feet to the rear: 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.
- Rear windshield (rear window) — vehicle has an outside mirror on each side giving a view of the roadway for at least 200 feet to the rear: The rear window rule often interacts with side mirrors: darker rear glass typically requires dual outside mirrors.
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Texas Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Texas?
For front side windows, Texas allows tint down to 25% VLT MAX — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What are Texas's windshield tint rules?
Tint (a "sunscreening device") may be applied to the windshield only in a strip at the very top: it must stay above the AS-1 line marked by the manufacturer; if the windshield has no AS-1 line, it must end five inches below the top of the windshield. That strip, measured in combination with the original glass, must let through 25% or more of light and reflect 25% or less. The film may not be red, amber, or blue in color. Separately, a clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield with no medical exemption required. Windshield rules are separate from side-window limits in Texas — see the breakdown above.
What happens if my tint is darker than Texas 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.