Texas Window Tinting Standards

Information source: Texas Department of Public Safety https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/window-tinting-standards

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Note: Windows immediately to the right and left of the driver that have less than 25% light transmission will FAIL INSPECTION, regardless of the year and model of the vehicle.

Window Tint Standards can be found in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 1, Rule 21.3

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 EXCEPTIONS
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 EXCEPTIONS
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.

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.

ACQUIRE A MEDICAL EXEMPTION

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

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

VEHICLE OPERATION

WINDOW TINT LABEL
The language of 547.609 of the Texas Transportation Code was interpreted by the Department as requiring one label for each vehicle regardless of how many windows had sunscreening devices applied to them. As a result, in Chapter 21 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC", TXDPS requires that only one label be attached to the rearmost, bottom corner of the driver's side window of the vehicle. The passenger side is optional. The content of the label shall include "Complies with TRC Chapter 547" (or "Complies with TTC 547.613 (b)" which is currently utilized). Any other information on the label, including the installer's name, is optional.