NH · tint law reference
New Hampshire window tint laws
Last verified September 13, 2026 · RSA 266:58-a
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 | Aftermarket tint banned entirely except a top 6-inch strip, which must allow at least 35% VLT; no aftermarket tint permitted below that on the windshield | Same as sedan, except multipurpose vehicles/pickup trucks may instead comply with the federal safety-glazing standard (49 C.F.R. 571.205) in lieu of the state percentages |
| Front side | 70% VLT or lighter | 70% 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
Mirrored or highly reflective tint is prohibited on side and rear windows; no specific reflectance percentage found in the statute text reviewed
Colors
No banned colors are stated in the sources we checked.
Medical exemption
Yes - persons needing aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows for medical reasons may apply for a special permit under RSA 266:61-a, IX
Stickers & certification
Special medical permit required under RSA 266:61-a, IX; Commissioner adopts implementing administrative rules under RSA 541-A
Measurement tolerance
This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.
Penalties
Violation is classified as a non-criminal 'violation' offense under the statute; exact fine amount not independently confirmed from a primary fine schedule (secondary sources cite the state's standard base fine of $62 first offense / $124 subsequent offense)
Notes
New Hampshire's 70% front-side-window minimum is unusually high compared to most states, and it completely bans aftermarket windshield tint below the top 6 inches (no AS-1-line carve-out like most states).
New Hampshire tint questions
What is the darkest legal tint in New Hampshire?
For a sedan in New Hampshire, front side windows must let at least 70% 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 New Hampshire?
No, not on the front side windows. New Hampshire requires at least 70% 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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's rule for the windshield: Aftermarket tint banned entirely except a top 6-inch strip, which must allow at least 35% VLT; no aftermarket tint permitted below that on the windshield
Does New Hampshire allow a medical exemption for darker tint?
What the source says: Yes - persons needing aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows for medical reasons may apply for a special permit under RSA 266:61-a, IX Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.
Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in New Hampshire?
Special medical permit required under RSA 266:61-a, IX; Commissioner adopts implementing administrative rules under RSA 541-A
Where this comes from
Statute cited: RSA 266:58-a
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.