Virginia Tint laws were legislated in 1999 to ensure safety of roads and highways. As the illegal dark tints reduces the clear view of the driver which may cause accidents.
Window tinting laws of Virginia permits drivers and vehicle owners to tint front side windows to pass minimum 50% of the Visible light. Visible Light Transmission is the key factor in window tinting which refers to the amount of light that transmit through windows. In case of conventional tint, if the more light will pass, less darker will be tint shade and vice versa.
However Non-reflective and Clear tint is allowed above the AS-1 line area on the Front windshield.
Tinted windows provides many benefits but make sure to obey the window tint laws of Virginia. Check out the below section for a detailed legal tint limits in terms of Window tint darkness, Tint reflection, penalties and other rules.
Overview of Virginia Tint Laws
The below infographic shows the allowed tint limits for Cars and SUVs or MPV type vehicles operated in Virginia.
Darkest Legal Tint in Virginia
Window Tint Darkness For Cars
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window | Windshield | Tint Reflection | Color Tints |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% | 35% | Non reflective clear material above the AS1 line. | Not more than 20% reflective. | Red, Amber and Yellow Tint colors are restricted. |
Window Tint Darkness For SUV or MPV
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window | Windshield | Tint Reflection | Color Tints |
| Virginia | 50% | Any | Any | Non reflective clear material above the AS1 line. | Not more than 20% reflective. | Red, Amber and Yellow Tint colors are restricted. |
Drivers are advised to follow the above window tint darkness limits for Cars and SUVs, else if caught by police tint ticket shall be issued. Police officers can test the illegal window tints using an electronic device known as Tint meter.
Window Tint Reflection
No sun screening or tinting material shall be applied to any motor vehicle that have a solar reflectance of more than 20 percent. Also the applied or installed materials should not produce Prism effect. Prism effect means rainbow-like effect, that separates light into various colored components that may change depending on viewing angle.
Hence, Driver and vehicle owners must install the right type of Tinting materials which should not produce mirrored look or shiny appearance or rainbow effect.
Other Rules and Regulations
Some other rules and regulations also implemented on the motor vehicles operated in Virginia which are listed below:
- Dual Side Mirrors: Dual side mirrors are mandatory if the vehicle windows are tinted. Else, tinting is not permitted.
- Restricted Tint Colors: Red, Amber and Yellow tint colors are restricted.
- Certificates: Window film manufacturers do not need to get certifications for the legal tint materials they sell in Virginia.
- Sticker: Sticker or label to identify legal tinting is not specified in the state laws. However State law allows to apply or affix
Medical Exemptions
Virginia window tinting laws allow tint waiver due to certain medical conditions. Any motor vehicle driven by or utilized for the transportation of an individual with a medical condition that is adversely affected by sun exposure may apply or install lower tint on the windshield and all other windows, provided that the amount of light transmission into the vehicle is not reduced to less than 35 percent.
When applied to a front windshield of Car or MPV, such sun-shading or tinting material should not limit the overall light transmittance to a level lower than 70 percent, with the exception of the top five inches of the windshield or the AS-1 line, whichever is closest to the top of the windshield.
Medical Exemption Certificate must be kept in vehicle at all the times, otherwise such vehicle is not allowed to be driven on highways.
Medical Exemption Certificate shall be issued by the Commissioner upon the receipt of application certified by the licensed physician or Optometrist. Application must state the medical condition which requires the applicant to get shielded from direct sun.
Penalties for Violating Tint Laws
According to Code of Virginia ยง 46.2-1052 – Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties Any person who install the tinting materials in contradiction of the above stated laws shall be guilty of Class 3 Misdemeanor for the first offense. Furthermore, In case of Second offense or subsequent offense, The person shall be guilty of Class 2 Misdemeanor. However, The convicted person shall not be rewarded by any demerit points.
Class 2 misdemeanor can put the driver in jail with a fine of amount not more than $1000. So it is better to follow the tint rules of Virginia to avoid serious actions by the law enforcement agencies.