WA · tint law reference
Washington window tint laws
Last verified September 13, 2026 · RCW 46.37.430
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 | Clear UV-reducing film allowed anywhere; additional tinted (non-clear, transparent) film allowed on the top 6 inches only, not extending into the AS-1 area | Same as sedan |
| Front side | 24% VLT or lighter | 24% VLT or lighter |
| Back side | 24% VLT or lighter | No limit stated |
| Rear | 24% VLT or lighter | No limit stated |
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 reflectance capped at 35% on any tinted window
Colors
Mirror-finish products; red, gold, yellow, or black material; liquid sunscreening material brushed/sprayed on
Medical exemption
A person with written verification from a licensed physician may use greater light reduction on all windows and the top 6 inches of the windshield
Stickers & certification
A certification sticker is required identifying the installer's business name and state tax registration number, certifying compliance with the light-transmission/reflectance/placement standards
Measurement tolerance
This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.
Penalties
Traffic infraction; the statute itself does not state a dollar figure (aggregator sources commonly cite ~$124, but this comes from the general infraction fine schedule, not from RCW 46.37.430 itself)
Notes
24%/35% standard applies to 'any window except the windshield' and is conditioned on the vehicle having outside mirrors on both sides. Exempt vehicles (hearses, limousines, ambulances, emergency vehicles, trucks, motor homes) may go darker than 24% behind the driver as long as reflectance stays ≤35%. Statute does not differentiate sedan vs. SUV/van for the front-side/windshield rule, but exempt-vehicle carve-outs functionally allow SUVs/vans/trucks to go darker in back.
Washington tint questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Washington?
For a sedan in Washington, front side windows must let at least 24% of light through, back side windows at least 24%, and the rear window at least 24%. Lower VLT means darker glass, so those percentages are floors, not targets, and the meter reads the film and the factory glass together. SUVs, vans and trucks are listed separately: front side 24%, back side no stated number, rear no stated number.
Is 20% tint legal in Washington?
No, not on the front side windows. Washington requires at least 24% 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 24% floor, so 20% is too dark there too.
Can I tint the windshield in Washington?
Washington's rule for the windshield: Clear UV-reducing film allowed anywhere; additional tinted (non-clear, transparent) film allowed on the top 6 inches only, not extending into the AS-1 area
Does Washington allow a medical exemption for darker tint?
What the source says: A person with written verification from a licensed physician may use greater light reduction on all windows and the top 6 inches of the windshield Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.
Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in Washington?
A certification sticker is required identifying the installer's business name and state tax registration number, certifying compliance with the light-transmission/reflectance/placement standards
Nearby states
Where this comes from
Statute cited: RCW 46.37.430
- app.leg.wa.govhttps://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.430
- apps.leg.wa.govhttps://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.430
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.