Tennessee Tint Laws: What’s Legal for Your Car Windows?

Window tinting is a popular modification for Tennessee drivers seeking reduced glare, UV protection, and enhanced privacy. However, state law imposes specific limits on how dark or reflective vehicle windows can be. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to citations and vehicle inspection issues. Understanding Tennessee’s window tint rules is crucial for ensuring your vehicle remains street-legal.

Legal Tint Percentage Rules

Tennessee law regulates window tint darkness using a measure called Visible Light Transmission (VLT), indicating the percentage of light allowed to pass through the window. A higher VLT percentage means a lighter tint, while a lower percentage signifies a darker one. These standards are primarily outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-9-107.¹Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 55-9-107 – Tinted Motor Vehicle Windows (2024)

For most passenger vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and vans, the front side windows and back side windows must allow at least 35% of visible light to enter. Applying tint that results in a VLT below this 35% threshold on these windows is illegal.

Different rules apply to the windshield. Tint is generally permitted only on the uppermost portion, above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line (a marking typically found near the top edge). If this line isn’t present, the tint usually cannot extend more than 5 or 6 inches down from the top. The main area of the windshield, below this line, must allow at least 70% VLT, effectively limiting tint to the factory-installed shade band or very light applications.

The rear window must also meet the 35% VLT minimum for sedans. While some interpretations suggest multi-purpose vehicles like SUVs might have different allowances for the rear window, the primary statute appears to set the 35% minimum for all windows except the specified upper portion of the windshield. It is important to remember that factory-installed tint contributes to the overall VLT percentage when aftermarket film is added.

Reflectivity Restrictions

In addition to darkness, Tennessee law restricts the use of reflective or mirrored window tints. While the state code focuses heavily on VLT percentages, it effectively prohibits finishes that give windows a metallic or mirror-like appearance.

This ban applies to all windows on the vehicle, including the area above the AS-1 line on the windshield, the side windows, and the rear window. The restriction aims to ensure driver visibility and prevent glare that could distract other motorists or impede law enforcement’s view into the vehicle. While various tint colors may be acceptable, highly reflective materials are not permitted.

Enforcement and Penalties

Tennessee law enforcement officers can initiate a traffic stop if they have a “reasonable belief” that a vehicle’s window tint violates the state’s VLT limits.²Tennessee Courts. State v. Smith (Reasonable Suspicion for Tint Stop) This suspicion serves as probable cause to detain the vehicle for inspection, as authorized by section 55-9-107(c) of the state code.

During a stop, officers may use state-approved methods, often portable electronic tint meters, to conduct a “field comparison test” measuring the window’s VLT. Refusing to submit to this test when requested by a full-time, salaried police officer is a violation itself.

Operating a vehicle with non-compliant window tint, or refusing the field test, is classified as a Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee. Under state sentencing guidelines, this offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a fine up to $50. However, court costs can significantly increase the total amount owed, potentially reaching $100 to $230 or more for a first offense, according to some analyses, though the statutory fine remains capped at $50.

Medical and Special Exemptions

Tennessee law allows for medical exemptions for drivers who require darker window tint due to specific health conditions sensitive to ultraviolet light, such as lupus or certain skin conditions. The process, detailed in section 55-9-107(b), requires obtaining a physician’s statement certifying the medical necessity for reduced light transmission beyond standard limits.

This statement must be submitted to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The department’s medical review board evaluates the request. If approved, the board recommends the appropriate level of tint exemption, and the department issues a certificate or decal that must be displayed in the vehicle at all times.

Certain other vehicles are also exempt from standard tint rules under section 55-9-107(a)(6), including some law enforcement vehicles, vehicles registered out-of-state (if compliant with their home state’s laws), and those used by licensed private investigators. However, even under these exemptions, the front side windows of any vehicle must still meet the 35% VLT minimum standard.

When to Seek Legal Advice

Receiving a citation for a window tint violation under Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-9-107 may warrant seeking legal counsel. An attorney experienced in state traffic law can help you understand the citation, your options, and the potential consequences, particularly if you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly.

A lawyer can evaluate the basis for the traffic stop, specifically whether the officer had a “reasonable belief” of a violation, and assess the accuracy of any VLT measurement devices used. They can explain the legal standards and procedures involved in challenging the citation in court.

Because a tint violation is a Class C misdemeanor, a conviction results in a criminal record. While considered a minor offense, this could have implications for employment or insurance. Consulting with an attorney can help you weigh the potential outcomes and decide on the best course of action, whether it involves contesting the ticket or negotiating a resolution.

• 1
  Justia Law. Tennessee Code § 55-9-107 – Tinted Motor Vehicle Windows (2024)
• 2
  Tennessee Courts. State v. Smith (Reasonable Suspicion for Tint Stop)