WV · tint law reference
West Virginia window tint laws
Last verified September 13, 2026 · W. Va. Code § 17C-15-36a
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 | Non-reflective tint only, along the top of the windshield, not extending beyond the AS-1 line or 5 inches from the top (whichever is closer); may not be red, yellow, or amber | Same as sedan; statute does not differentiate 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
Not more than 20% reflectivity on side/rear tint
Colors
Red, yellow, or amber banned on the windshield strip; no explicit color restriction found for side/rear window tint in the statute text reviewed
Medical exemption
Physician- or optometrist-certified affidavit permitting non-compliant tint must be kept in the possession of the person while driving
Stickers & certification
Manufacturer must affix a label (max 1.5 sq in) between the tint and the glass in the lower-left corner, showing the light-transmission percentage
Measurement tolerance
This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.
Penalties
Misdemeanor; fines up to $200
Notes
Exemptions exist for factory-installed tint, K-9 vehicles, emergency animal-transport vehicles, and undercover law-enforcement vehicles.
West Virginia tint questions
What is the darkest legal tint in West Virginia?
For a sedan in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia?
No, not on the front side windows. West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia's rule for the windshield: Non-reflective tint only, along the top of the windshield, not extending beyond the AS-1 line or 5 inches from the top (whichever is closer); may not be red, yellow, or amber
Does West Virginia allow a medical exemption for darker tint?
What the source says: Physician- or optometrist-certified affidavit permitting non-compliant tint must be kept in the possession of the person while driving Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.
Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in West Virginia?
Manufacturer must affix a label (max 1.5 sq in) between the tint and the glass in the lower-left corner, showing the light-transmission percentage
Where this comes from
Statute cited: W. Va. Code § 17C-15-36a
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.