MA · tint law reference
Massachusetts window tint laws
Last verified September 13, 2026 · M.G.L. c.90 §9D
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 aftermarket tint/film allowed except a transparent (non-obscuring) strip limited to the uppermost 6 inches of the windshield | Same as sedan — statute makes no distinction by vehicle type |
| 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
Total visible light reflectance must not exceed 35% on any side window or the rear window (same 35%/35% standard applies to all such windows)
Colors
Not addressed in the statute — no specific tint colors are prohibited by name
Medical exemption
Yes. A person determined to be light/photosensitive may apply in writing (with a licensed physician's written attestation) to the Medical Advisory Board (see c.90 §8C). Once approved, the Registrar issues a noticeable sticker to be affixed to the side window next to the operator.
Stickers & certification
No general compliance sticker is required to use the standard 35%/35% tint allowance; a special sticker is issued only for approved medical exemptions. The Registrar may test any glazing suspected of violating the section, and a Registrar compliance statement is prima facie evidence of compliance.
Measurement tolerance
This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.
Penalties
Fine of not more than $250 per violation; upon a third or subsequent conviction the Registrar shall suspend the operator's license for up to 90 days.
Notes
The statute applies ONE uniform 35% VLT / 35% max-reflectance standard to the front side windows, rear side windows, and rear window alike — there is no separate, lighter (e.g., 70%) limit for front side windows as some non-primary tint-law sites claim; that claim did not appear anywhere in the actual statutory text. Use of the rear-window/rear-side-window tint allowance requires the vehicle to have two outside mirrors, one on each side, giving the driver a clear rear view. No SUV/van distinction exists in this statute.
Massachusetts tint questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Massachusetts?
For a sedan in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts?
No, not on the front side windows. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's rule for the windshield: No aftermarket tint/film allowed except a transparent (non-obscuring) strip limited to the uppermost 6 inches of the windshield
Does Massachusetts allow a medical exemption for darker tint?
What the source says: Yes. A person determined to be light/photosensitive may apply in writing (with a licensed physician's written attestation) to the Medical Advisory Board (see c.90 §8C). Once approved, the Registrar issues a noticeable sticker to be affixed to the side window next to the operator. Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.
Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in Massachusetts?
No general compliance sticker is required to use the standard 35%/35% tint allowance; a special sticker is issued only for approved medical exemptions. The Registrar may test any glazing suspected of violating the section, and a Registrar compliance statement is prima facie evidence of compliance.
Where this comes from
Statute cited: M.G.L. c.90 §9D
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.