Is 20% Window Tint Legal In Virginia In 2026?

Virginia does allow vehicle window tinting, but the degree of darkness is controlled. This article tries to explain the tinting law in Virginia and if a 20% VLT tint is allowed.

According to the Virginia laws, front side windows should admit more than 50% light, whereas back side and rear windows can admit more than 35% of the incoming lights. However, there are medical exemptions which allow for darker tints. Consult current guidelines or a professional before commencing your tinting job.

The application of colored films on auto glass constitutes car window tints which function to maintain interior temperature coolness. The films provide safety by blocking sunrays and extreme heat.

Among many, a very popular kind of tint is the 20% VLT tint, which offers great protection, style, and safety. However, many states, including that of Virginia, have window tinting laws.

Knowing them will keep you on the right side of the law.

Selecting the right shade helps to bring out the beauty of your car and also has practical functions such as UV protection, reducing heat. Take time in studying the market for your choice of window tinting because it will take you to better options, one brings improved comfort while driving in terms of appearance and legal aspects combined.

It is legal to tint your car windows in Virginia, albeit with certain restrictions. Established in 1999, the rulings put limits on the percentage of VLT, which is the amount of light able to pass through the tint.

The amount of VLT allowed varies by state and vehicle type. For Virginia, the tint reflectivity must not be higher than 20%, and the tints shall not be red, yellow, or amber in color. If the back windows are tinted, then dual mirrors are a must.

If you have installed window tints on your vehicle in Virginia, you are required to apply stickers identifying the legal window tint. Check that your tint installer provides the appropriate stickers to prove that the tint meets the acceptable limits according to state laws.

In Virginia the highest tint of a window is 20 percent of the VLT on the rear and rear side windows in multi-purpose cars like SUV, truck, or van. In the case of sedans, the 20 percent tint is not allowed on any of the windows, either in the front or rear, according to conventional Virginia window tint laws.

Irrespective of these limitations, a 20% tint is still attractive to a good number of vehicle owners due to the perceived utility of the tint. Firstly, it gives one a fair amount of privacy during driving since the dark windows do not allow anyone to see into the car. The privacy added can also play a role in safety whereby theft is deterred and valuables are not left in view.

Also, a 20 percent window tint would greatly minimize the light that gets into the cabin and helps to keep the inside cooler. It can eliminate the need to use the air conditioning by reducing the amount of heat collected in the vehicle and enhance overall comfort when driving thus the reason why a 20 percent tint is still popular among many drivers.

Knowing and respecting specific window tint laws in Virginia will save you from fines. The laws differ in respect to your vehicle type. Here are some highlights:

• Front Windshield: The law allows a non-reflective tint extending up to 5 inches from the top of the windshield or above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
• Front Side Windows: The tint on these should allow at least 50% of light through 50% VLT. Also, the reflectivity should be less than 20%.
• Rear Side Windows: The tint on the rear side windows should allow at least 35% of light through 35% VLT and should have a reflectivity of less than 20%.
• Rear Windshield: This too, should allow at least 35% of light through 35% VLT.

These factors will not only keep your vehicle compliant with the law but also ensure more safety since it keeps visibility at a decent level. For maximum quality and professional consultation on window tinting, rely on RAXTiFY's extensive line of products and skilled services.

• Front Windshield: You can have a non-reflective tint up to 5 inches at the top, above the manufacturer's AS-1 line. This is actually to help block glare from the sun to improve safe driving. If your vehicle does not have it from the factory, this is highly recommended to have applied since it is permitted under Virginia tint laws.
• Front Side Windows: The front side windows should allow more than 50% of light transmission, also called 50% VLT. The reflectivity allowed is up to 20%.
• Back Side Windows: In the case of back side windows, there are no limits concerning the darkness of tints. You can go for any darkness you want, with a limit in reflectivity of 20% as well.
• Rear Windshield: Similar to the back side windows, there are no limits on tint darkness for the rear windshield.

Note: The application of a non-reflective tint strip to the front windshield can seriously reduce sun glare and enhance safety of driving. In the case where your vehicle does not have such a factory-installed tint, it is a necessity for you to add it according to the Virginia laws.

There are medical conditions considered to be an exception to the normal window tinting laws in Virginia. This then exempts it from the normal window tinting law on the front side windows, which should allow at least 50 percent of light.

It is necessary for applicants intending to apply for a medical exemption to submit a written statement written by a licensed physician in explaining the medical condition and the reason for requiring darker tint. Statements must be kept in the vehicle at all times and available upon request of the Department.

These would include acceptable medical conditions that need protection from the sun or bright lights, such as lupus, porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, albinism, Bloom syndrome, and severe allergic reactions to sunlight. Other chronic conditions that may possibly qualify in this category are migraines, epilepsy, and any other condition that might cause photosensitivity.

In particular, the medical exemption only extends to the front side windows. The rear side and rear windows shall remain subject to all tinting laws of Virginia.

For tinted windows, installation of dual side mirrors is mandatory by state law. Coming to the colors of the tint, red, yellow, and amber colors are prohibited. The state of Virginia provides a 7% tolerance to the tint degree level. That means the actual tint applied can be 7% different from what is reflected on the tinting certification.

Unlike some states, there are no certifications required of film manufacturers in Virginia for the tint film they sell. On the other hand, violations of Virginia tinting laws are punished by fines and classes. The first offense is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor which may just be fined up to $500. The succeeding offenses are considered as Class 2 misdemeanors which may be punished by up to six months in jail, and/or a fine of up to $1000.

Keep in mind that illegal window tinting is not worth such heavy penalties. Make sure your vehicle tint meets the requirements of the law in Virginia to avoid all the above.

While choosing window tinting, it is important to consider the UV protection to be at least 99% blocked to protect skin health and interior fadings. It is also advised to go for a good quality tint that enhances comfort through interior heat reduction. In addition, verify that your selected state's regulations for light transmission and reflectivity allow that particular tint or not. Window tints are available in a variety of types, all with their favorable and not-so-favorable aspects. With all of them being legal according to the laws of states, here is a detailed list to help one make an appropriate choice.

Pros: The main benefits of this type include affordability as well as anti-glare properties and attractive appearance.
Cons: The heat resistance of this tint is average while the color fades with time.
Best for: Budget-conscious drivers who value privacy and light protection without the highest quality features should choose this option.

Pros: The combination of durability with high heat-blocking properties and increased window strength delivers this product variant's main benefits.
Cons: It will disrupt GPS and cell phone signals and the price exceeds that of dyed tints.
Best for: This option suits people who need durable and effective heat-blocking capabilities.

Pros: Carbon window tint does not change with time, and it offers a good rejection of heat and a dark and matte look.
Cons: It has a lower heat rejection performance when compared to ceramics tints and also the cost is more than the dyed or plain metalized films.
Best: The product can be used by drivers who require strong tints that can ensure that cars are cool during their use and that they remain durable over the years.

Pros: High-quality heat and UV blockage, does not interfere with any electronics, visibility maintained.
Cons: Highest cost among tints.
Best for: Those who can afford nothing but the best protection and performance.

Looking to find the best window tint near me? RAXTiFY is your reliable tinting company in Virginia. Our legal and professional installations are strictly in line with the laws of Virginia tint (50 percent VLT on the front in windows and 35 percent on the rear) in order to keep your car fashionable and inspection-ready.

What RAXTiFY Offers:

• Installation that complies with the law to assist you in not receiving any tickets or inspection problems.
• Good movies that are UV protective, heat retarding and glare free.
• Different tint colors such as 50, 35, ceramic and color shift tints.
• Quick service and reasonable prices that are measured by your car

Q1. What is the legal limit for window tint in Virginia?

A: The legal window tint in Virginia of passenger cars is 50 percent VLT of the front side windows and any darkness of the rear side and rear windows.

Q2. What is the consequence if my window tint is too dark in Virginia?

A: Yes, cars that do not have tinting of their windows within the legal mandates of the state of Virginia are fined, and there are specifications to remove or light the tints so that the state laws do not contravene.

Q3. Is there any medical exemption to keep darker window tints in Virginia?

A: Yes, Virginia has medical exemptions but it is rather procedural including documentation with an authorized physician.

Q4. Are there any exemptions to the tint laws of Virginia?

A: Yes, there are also exceptions such as vehicles with out of state registration but the tint rules are different, as long as they are consistent with their home state rules during the time they are traveling within the state of Virginia.

The window tint is not only a matter of looks or heat saving, but also a matter of what is in Virginia law in regards to your particular car. Although a 20 percent window tint has the potential to provide greater privacy and a more comfortable interior, it is not always a legal alternative to any vehicle and any window location.

You need to find out the type of vehicle you drive, conditions during which you drive it, and what you need to inspect before making a decision. In most situations, you can be fined, get inspected, and stress unnecessarily, and yet the tint chosen can be used to avoid the fines, inspection, and unwarranted stress and just provide comfort and protection in the road.

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