Legal Tint in PA: Pennsylvania Window Tint Laws (2026)

Last verified: October 31, 2026 against 75 Pa.C.S. 4524, 75 Pa.C.S. 6502 and 67 Pa. Code 175.263

What is the legal tint in PA? For most drivers the number to remember is 70. A film that lets through at least 70% of light is legal on the windshield and front side windows, which means very little added darkness. This page covers each window, the exceptions, the medical exemption and what happens if you get a ticket.

What percent tint is legal in PA window by window?

Pennsylvania measures tint by visible light transmittance (VLT), the share of light that passes through. A “30% tint” lets 30% of light in, so a higher number means a lighter film. The state’s rule sets a minimum of 70%.

Window	Passenger cars	SUVs, vans and trucks
Windshield	70% minimum	70% minimum
Front side windows	70% minimum	70% minimum
Rear side windows	70% minimum	No listed requirement
Rear window	70% minimum on 1998 and newer cars	No listed requirement

The 70% figure comes from Table X in 67 Pa. Code Chapter 175, the PennDOT vehicle equipment and inspection rules. The statute behind it, 75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e)(1), bans any “sun screening device or other material” that does not let a person see inside the vehicle through the windshield, side wing or side window.

Is 5 tint, 20 tint, 30 tint or 35 tint legal in PA?

Not on the front of the car. Because the minimum is 70%, a 5% limo tint, a 20% tint, a 30% tint and a 35% tint are all darker than the rule allows on the windshield and front side windows.

The darkest legal tint in PA on those windows is therefore a film that passes 70% of light, which is close to clear. Remember that the glass itself blocks some light, so the finished window is what counts, not only the film on the package.

On the rear windows of an SUV, van or pickup, darker film is allowed because Table X lists no requirement for those vehicles. That is why many SUVs leave the dealer with dark rear glass.

Can you tint the top of a windshield in Pennsylvania?

Yes, but only a narrow strip. Under 67 Pa. Code 175.263, transparent material is allowed if it does not reach into the AS-1 portion of the windshield and sits no more than 3 inches from the top.

Louvered materials, such as slatted sun shades, may not cut driver visibility below 50% as measured on a horizontal plane. Stickers or signs that block the driver’s view can also cause an inspection rejection under 67 Pa. Code 175.80.

What are the rules for the rear window and mirrors?

You may treat the rear window with a sun screening film, but the car must then meet the mirror rule in 67 Pa. Code 175.264. In practice that means working outside mirrors on both the left and right, each with at least 19.5 square inches of reflective surface. A vehicle with a medical exemption certificate may have only a left outside mirror unless it came from the factory with mirrors on both sides.

At inspection, 67 Pa. Code 175.80 also lets an inspector reject a car if a sign, poster or other material extends more than 3 1/2 inches from the lowest exposed part of the rear window, rear side windows or rear wings.

Does factory tint count as legal tint in PA?

Yes. 75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e)(2) does not apply to a vehicle with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer. It also excludes hearses, ambulances and government vehicles.

Aftermarket film added on top of factory glass is different. If it makes the front windows darker than the rule allows, the factory exception does not cover it.

How does the PA tint medical exemption work?

A driver with a qualifying physical condition can ask PennDOT for a certificate of exemption. The owner, or a person living in the household, must have a condition the department accepts after consulting the Medical Advisory Board.

• A licensed physician or optometrist must certify the condition to PennDOT (75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e)(3)(ii)).
• The tint must still meet applicable federal regulations.
• You must carry the certificate in the vehicle and show it when a police officer asks.
• The exemption ends if you sell or transfer the car to someone who does not qualify. The tint must be removed before the sale.

Contact PennDOT for the current application steps, since forms and processing can change.

What is the penalty for illegal window tint in Pennsylvania?

Violation	Statute	Penalty
Driving with illegal sun screening material	75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e)	Summary offense, $25 base fine under 75 Pa.C.S. 6502(a), plus court costs
Failing to carry a medical exemption certificate	75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e)(4)	Summary offense, same base fine

Section 4524 sets no fine of its own, so the general Vehicle Code fine applies. Your total can be higher once court costs are added, and the amount varies by district court. Illegal tint can also cause trouble at inspection, where a car with unlawful sun screening can fail.

Myths and facts about PA tint laws

Myth	Fact
“30% tint is the legal limit in Pennsylvania.”	The limit on front windows is 70%, so 30% is too dark.
“Factory tint is always fine, so I can add more.”	Only the manufacturer’s original tint is excepted. Added film must meet the rule.
“A doctor’s note lets me use any tint.”	You need a PennDOT certificate of exemption, carried in the car.
“The rear of an SUV has the same limit as the front.”	Table X lists no requirement for rear windows on SUVs, vans and trucks.

A real-world example

Say a driver in Lancaster buys a used sedan with 20% film on every window. A trooper on Route 30 cannot see into the car and issues a citation under 75 Pa.C.S. 4524(e). The driver can remove the film and then decide whether to pay the citation or contest it at the district court. Had the car been an SUV with factory rear glass, the rear windows would not have been a problem.

Do Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have different tint rules?

No. Window tint in Pennsylvania follows state law everywhere, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and every county, so the same 70% rule applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal tint in PA?

On the windshield and front side windows, Pennsylvania requires at least 70% light transmittance. On a passenger car the rear side windows have the same limit, as does the rear window on 1998 and newer cars. SUVs, vans and trucks have no listed limit on the rear side and rear windows, and a 3-inch transparent strip is allowed at the top of the windshield.

Is 5 tint legal in PA?

Not on the windshield or front side windows, where the minimum is 70% light transmittance. A 5% film is very dark, so it can be allowed only on the rear windows of an SUV, van or truck, or with a PennDOT medical exemption certificate.

Is 30 tint legal in PA?

Not on front windows. A 30% film lets through less than half the light the 70% rule requires. It is allowed on the rear side and rear windows of vehicles with no listed limit, such as many SUVs and pickups, but not on a passenger car.

What is the darkest legal tint in PA?

For the windshield and front side windows, it is a 70% film, which is nearly clear. For the rear windows of an SUV, van or truck, Table X lists no requirement, so darker film is allowed there if the mirror rules are met.

Is 20% tint or 35% tint legal in PA?

No on the front windows and on a passenger car’s rear windows, because both are darker than the 70% minimum. On the rear windows of an SUV, van or truck neither is restricted by Table X.

Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in PA?

Yes, if a licensed physician or optometrist certifies a physical condition to PennDOT and the department accepts it. You then receive a certificate of exemption that you must carry in the vehicle and show to police on request.

What is the fine for illegal tint in Pennsylvania?

The base fine under the general Vehicle Code rule is $25, because section 4524 sets no separate fine. Court costs are added, so the amount you pay will be higher. Check your citation for the exact total.

What changed on this page

See our editorial policy for how we check facts, and our corrections page to report an error. More road rules are in Driving & Vehicles.

If this affects you