In Florida, legal tint is measured by VLT — the percentage of light the filmed glass lets through. The numbers below are the darkest tint the law allows at each window position, labeled VLT MAX: install film darker than the listed VLT and the vehicle is out of compliance. Figures are compiled from official Florida state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows (forward of / adjacent to the operator's seat) | 28% VLT MAX | 25% |
| Rear side windows — passenger car | 15% VLT MAX | 35% |
| Rear side windows — multipurpose passenger vehicle | 6% VLT MAX | 35% |
| Rear windshield (rear window) — passenger car | 15% VLT MAX | 35% |
| Rear windshield (rear window) — multipurpose passenger vehicle | 6% VLT MAX | 35% |
Florida Windshield Rule
No sunscreening material, sign, product, or covering may be placed on or in the windshield except, among a few non-tint exceptions (papers required by law, toll devices, GPS devices), a sunscreening strip along the top of the windshield — and only if that strip is transparent and does not encroach on the driver's direct forward viewing area, the portion defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 as the AS/1 portion of the windshield. In short: a transparent top strip above the AS-1 line only; no tint over the main viewing area of the windshield.
How to Read These Numbers
- Front side windows (forward of / adjacent to the operator's seat): Front side windows — driver and front passenger — are the most tightly regulated and the ones checked first at a traffic stop or inspection.
- Rear side windows — passenger car: Rear side windows are usually allowed darker than the fronts, and on SUVs, trucks and vans they are sometimes exempt from the passenger-car limit.
- Rear windshield (rear window) — passenger car: The windshield rule controls the strip at the top of the glass and how far film or a visor band may extend down. Most states allow a non-reflective strip above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
- Rear windshield (rear window) — passenger car: The rear window rule often interacts with side mirrors: darker rear glass typically requires dual outside mirrors.
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Florida Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Florida?
For front side windows, Florida allows tint down to 28% VLT MAX — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What are Florida's windshield tint rules?
No sunscreening material, sign, product, or covering may be placed on or in the windshield except, among a few non-tint exceptions (papers required by law, toll devices, GPS devices), a sunscreening strip along the top of the windshield — and only if that strip is transparent and does not encroach on the driver's direct forward viewing area, the portion defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 as the AS/1 portion of the windshield. In short: a transparent top strip above the AS-1 line only; no tint over the main viewing area of the windshield. Windshield rules are separate from side-window limits in Florida — see the breakdown above.
What happens if my tint is darker than Florida allows?
Over-dark tint can draw a citation and, in many states, a fix-it order requiring the film to be removed and the vehicle re-inspected. Laws also change — verify the current statute before tinting.