Pennsylvania tint laws were legislated in 1996 to regulate the safe window tinting for vehicles. The illegal tinted windows are risky because it obstructs the driver’s vision which may cause accidents.
According to Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 Vehicles Section 4524, No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or non-transparent material applied to front windshield which obscures the driver’s view of the road or highway. Similarly, No body is allowed to drive any vehicle with any object hung, attached or placed with rear view mirror which impairs the driver’s vision through the front windshield.
Pennsylvania Tint laws permit motorist to tint their vehicle windows in a way that tinting or glazing material must have a minimum 70% VLT through Front windshield and front side windows. This condition is applied to Sedan and SUV or MPV type vehicles.
Follow the below section to find out legal tint limits in details.
Overview of Pennsylvania Tint Laws
The below image highlights the legal tint limits for Cars and SUVs or MPV type vehicles operated in Pennsylvania. Drivers are advised to obey these window tinting rules to save themselves from tint tickets.
Darkest Legal Tint in Pennsylvania
The darkest legal tint limits for Sedan and SUV or MPV type vehicles are mentioned in the below tables:
Tint Darkness For Sedan or Coupe
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window | Windshield | Tint Reflection | Tint color Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% | 70% | Must pass 70% or more light. | Mirror-like and metallic tint prohibited. | No Tint colors are restricted. |
Tint Darkness For SUV or Vans
| State | Front Side Windows | Back Side Windows | Rear Window | Windshield | Tint Reflection | Other Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | Any darkness | Any darkness | Must pass 70% or more light. | Mirror-like and metallic tint prohibited. | No Tint colors are restricted. |
Window Tint Reflection
Pennsylvania window tinting rules do not allow to apply or affix the tinting material which looks like mirror, shiny or metallic in appearance. These type of window tints produce glare and reflect light to a greater extent than a standard car window. The reflective tinted windows produces glare which causes inconvenience for other drivers and passenger on road.
Hence, Owners of motor vehicles and drivers must apply the non-reflective type of tinting or sun screening materials in accordance with state laws.
Other Rules and Regulations
The below mentioned rules are also required to be followed by motorists:
- Dual Side Mirrors: Outside mirrors at both sides of vehicles are required, for a clear view of highway behind the vehicle.
- Restricted Tint colors: No tint colors are specifically restricted.
- Certificates: Window film manufacturers do not require to certify the tinting materials they sell in the state.
- Stickers: Sticker or label to identify legal tint is required to display between film and window glass.
Medical Exemption
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation do not allow medical exemption. Hence, no person is allowed to install darker tint shades on vehicle windows. However they allow to install the colorless sun screening materials for person with certain medical conditions. Colorless tinting materials can effectively block harmful UV rays to a large extent. Crystalline tint is the best option to consider as a colorless sun screening material, it is non-metallized type of tint with a superior UV protection.
The applicant can contact Medical Unit of Pennsylvania Department of traffic for any query about medical exemption at (717) 787-9662.
Penalties for Violating Tint Laws
Any person who violates the above mentioned window tinting rules in Pennsylvania shall be guilty and tint ticket of amount not more than $110 shall be issued upon first offense. Second and subsequent offense will cost heaver fines due to repeated violation of PA state tint laws.
Cops can stop any motor vehicle, if they suspect the illegal tint is applied on windows. Police officers can test the tinted windows with an electronic tint meter and ticket shall be issued, if window tints do not meet the requirement of the PA Tint laws.