Tennessee Window Tint Law
Tennessee has a number of regulations governing the use of window tints on motor vehicles. Since there are some exceptions and details that vary depending on the type of vehicle, it’s helpful to have all the information in one spot. The window tint laws in Tennessee are as follows:
Passenger Vehicles
When tinted on or after July 1, 2009, with exception for vans registered as light trucks:
SUVs, Vans and Buses
Except for vans registered as light trucks:
Light Transmittance
The law states that all tinted windows must comply with standards that set limits on the amount of light that is allowed to be transmitted through a window. In general, a 35 percent tint transmits about 35 percent of the light that hits a window. For comparison’s sake , windows on your home may transmit 70 to 80 percent of the light that hits them, which is why a 35 percent tint is generally accepted as a medium shade. Reflective tints are generally not allowed, so make sure to ask if you are considering a reflective tint. They are typically much more expensive than regular tints as well.
Tint VLT
VLT refers to visible light transmittance. All window tint has the VLT percentage printed directly on the film. Certain manufacturers will even remove the tint from the car of the passenger purchaser at the time of purchase. Be cautious with this method, however, because the law requires the tint to be removed if it doesn’t meet regulations. The vehicle’s manufacturer can also usually provide VLT readings for the vehicle windows against which you can measure the tint.
Visible Light Transmission Levels Explained
Understanding the term "Visible Light Transmission" or VLT
A term you are bound to hear while researching window tint laws, is that of "Visible Light Transmission" or "VLT." VLT is essentially the measurement of how much light is allowed to penetrate through your window tint film and into your car. It is measured in terms of percentage: A VLT of 100% means that no visible light enters through your tint film at all, while a VLT of 1% means that 1% of visible light is able to enter through your tint film.
In Tennessee, we find that:
Tennessee tint law allows:
Windshield: Non-reflective 5 inch strip from the top, none below the AS-1 line or as manufactured.
Front seat side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Back seat side windows: Any darkness can be used.
Rear window: Any darkness can be used.
Side mirrors: Must be equipped with outside mirrors on both sides the vehicle that reflects a minimum of 200 feet to the rear.
If your car were tinted to a VLT of 20%, it would allow only 20% of visible light to pass through. Thus, VLT is a good indication of just how dark your tint may be- the lower the VLT, the less visible light is able to penetrate your window tint film and thus, the darker your window tint appears.
Legal Tint Darkness Varies by Window Location
Unlike the requirements for the windshield, the tinting restrictions in Tennessee for the remaining windows are dependent on the owner’s desire to obtain different levels of shade. The law is clearly laid out on this subject:
• No more than 35% of light can be absorbed by the tint on the front windows (excluding windshield and rear window).
• Obscure tinted windows are allowed in the rear passenger windows and rear side windows, allowing full restriction of visibility of the interior of the vehicle.
• For vehicles with only 1 side mirror, no more than 1 rear side window can be tinted.
Upon your request, any local office that handles driver’s licenses should be able to help you find a place where you can get your windows tinted legally, so it’s a good idea to ask as they might be able to make recommendations of their own. In addition, the law stipulates that any tinting must not cause reflective windows.
Tennessee Medical Exemption for Window Tint
Section 55-9-107 of the Tennessee Code Annotated specifies that individuals suffering from a number of medical conditions will be exempt from window-tinting restrictions in order to preserve life or prevent injury to tissues. The criteria for medical exemption includes • albinism; • lupus; • dermatomyositis; • solar urticaria; • epilepsy; • melanoma; • porphyria; and • anyone whose vision is impaired because of certain medical conditions. The criteria also allows for exemptions of windows with only the rear passenger windows tinted. All applications for exempt window tinting must be submitted to the Department of Driver Services with a completed application form and the appropriate fee. Exemptions will be considered on an individual basis where both ocular and non-ocular conditions are satisfied. For passive exempt window tinting authorized by the Department of Driver Services, the Department will provide individuals with a sticker identifying the individual and the specific part of the vehicle, such as the front left-side windshield or left-side window, for which the exemption applies.
Tennessee Tint Law Penalties
Violations of window tint laws in Tennessee can result in fines and other penalties. Generally, tint law violations are punishable as a Class C misdemeanor under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-213; however, the subsequent penalty for first offense violations of the statute (or subdivision (a), (b) or (c) of § 55-8-207) is not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00), plus court costs. Any subsequent offense or violation of subdivision (d) or (e) of § 55-8-207 is a Class C misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) . However, a fine can be waived if the driver obtains a letter from the tint installer stating that the violation has been corrected within three (3) days to the satisfaction of the vehicle inspection station.
Tennessee Highway Patrol performs routine inspections of window tint compliance. Hazardous conditions caused by low visibility due to excessive window tinting can also lead to a citation under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-160.
How to Select an Installer for Legal Tint
The most important thing to do is make sure the window tint service you choose has a solid reputation. The only people who are permitted to tint a vehicle in Tennessee are those who have been certified by the Department of Safety. This means that, before you hire a company to perform window tinting services on your vehicle, you should ask for proof that they are certified to perform these services.
Most reputable professional services will be able to show you proof of certification upon request. Doing this extra leg work can help you avoid serious hassles down the line if you ever get pulled over for having windows tinted and are unable to present the certificate for the tint on your windows.
You should also be sure to ask about the type of certification the window tint service has. In other words, are they legitimately certified to tint windows on a vehicle? There are various certifications provided by the Department of Safety for other industries, such as the home improvement or construction industries. While these might allow someone to legally perform a service they offer, they probably would be unable to show proof of certification for window tinting specifically, which is what you need for your vehicle.
Of course, you can always double check and verify the certificate numbers provided by checking the official registry of automotive window tinting companies on the website for the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Tennessee Window Tint FAQs
As is the case with most laws, there are a number of misconceptions about legal window tint in Tennessee. Below are some questions people commonly ask or comment on about legal tint in Tennessee:
Q: You say the windows must be a certain percentage of light transmittance, but do you mean that they can be tinted to only a certain darkness?
A: First of all, there’s no such thing as a "dark" tint per se. A legal tint is simply as dark as the law allows, varying by location and function on the vehicle. Our website has all the tinting requirements and our professionals will be happy to answer your questions.
Q: My brother’s truck has really dark tint. Is legal tint usually very dark?
A: As stated above, the tint doesn’t have to be dark, just legal. The tint can be extremely light and still meet legal tint setup in Tennessee.
Q: You said that medical issues can allow a person to apply for a window tint exemption through the DMV . But my neighbor has one and he never applied. And actually, he had the tint on his window before he moved from another state. How could this be?
A: While Ohio does have tint exemptions that transfer from state to state, Tennessee does not. You’ll have to apply for a permit with the DMV for a tint exemption, and will only be accepted upon review by the DMV commissioner.
Q: Can I tint all of my windows except the windshield and drivers’ side windows?
A: You can put as much tint as you like on the rear windows. There is no percentage limit for windows behind the driver’s seat. All front windows must have the same tint, and a windshield strip is allowed, as long as it’s under the visor and does not impede the driver’s vision.
If you have questions about window tinting laws in Tennessee, feel free to contact our representatives.