Legal tint limits at a glance
VLT is the share of light the window must let through — a lower number is darker film, and the reading includes the factory glass.
| Window | Sedans | SUVs, vans & trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | No material may reduce light transmittance below that of the original/replacement windshield glass, except sun-screening/tinting above the AS-1 line or, if none, within a 5-inch strip at the top | Same as sedan — statute makes no vehicle-type distinction |
| Front side | 35% VLT or lighter | 35% VLT or lighter |
| Back side | 35% VLT or lighter | 35% VLT or lighter |
| Rear | 35% VLT or lighter | 35% VLT or lighter |
Dual side mirrors required if the rear is tinted? Yes — this state requires dual outside mirrors when the rear window is tinted.
Is my tint legal here?
Film darkness and glass darkness multiply. Enter the film you are considering and the VLT of the bare glass to get the number a meter would read.
70 for tinted OEM glass, 80 for clear
Net VLT 14% 20% film × 70% glass
Pass/fail compares net VLT against the limits on this page only. Some states apply a measurement tolerance — see Measurement tolerance below — and none of this replaces a meter reading on your own glass.
The rest of the rule
Reflectivity
No window on any vehicle may be composed of, covered by, or treated with reflective material — i.e., reflective tint is banned outright, not merely capped at a percentage
Colors
None specified in the statute text (contrary to some third-party aggregator claims of a red/amber ban — the primary statute contains no color restriction)
Medical exemption
Yes: the Chief of the State Police may grant an exemption (and issue a certificate of exemption, displayable on request) where sunlight adversely affects the health of the owner or a usual occupant, upon proper application supported by a physician.
Stickers & certification
Mandatory Light Transmittance Certificate required for any vehicle with tinted/replacement windows not meeting FMVSS 205 factory glazing; must be shown to the inspection mechanic at annual inspection.
Measurement tolerance
This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.
Penalties
Traffic infraction punishable by a forfeiture of not less than $100 (§1916(6)).
Notes
Maine's back-side-window/rear-window 35% floor does not apply to ANY vehicle (not specifically SUVs/vans) if it is equipped with 2 outside rear-view mirrors, one on each side — so per statute this is a mirror-based exception, not a vehicle-class-based one; since nearly all SUVs/vans/vehicles have dual mirrors, in practice this functions like the common 'SUV/van back windows any darkness' rule, but legally it is not limited to those vehicle types. suv_van is reported identical to sedan because the statute itself draws no vehicle-type line.
Maine tint questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Maine?
For a sedan in Maine, front side windows must let at least 35% of light through, back side windows at least 35%, and the rear window at least 35%. Lower VLT means darker glass, so those percentages are floors, not targets, and the meter reads the film and the factory glass together.
Is 20% tint legal in Maine?
No, not on the front side windows. Maine requires at least 35% VLT there and 20% is darker than that, before you even account for the factory glass, which makes the reading darker still. The back side windows have a 35% floor, so 20% is too dark there too.
Can I tint the windshield in Maine?
Maine's rule for the windshield: No material may reduce light transmittance below that of the original/replacement windshield glass, except sun-screening/tinting above the AS-1 line or, if none, within a 5-inch strip at the top
Does Maine allow a medical exemption for darker tint?
What the source says: Yes: the Chief of the State Police may grant an exemption (and issue a certificate of exemption, displayable on request) where sunlight adversely affects the health of the owner or a usual occupant, upon proper application supported by a physician. Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.
Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in Maine?
Mandatory Light Transmittance Certificate required for any vehicle with tinted/replacement windows not meeting FMVSS 205 factory glazing; must be shown to the inspection mechanic at annual inspection.
Nearby states
Where this comes from
Statute cited: 29-A M.R.S. §1916
Checked against the state's own statute or DMV page on September 13, 2026. Laws change; if you find a newer rule, email admin@getpeelboard.com.
Legal disclaimer: general information, not legal advice; verify with your DMV.