In Maryland, 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 Maryland state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle / window | Rule | |
| Passenger cars (§ 13-912) — any window | Post-manufacture tinting material must allow a light transmittance through the window of at least 35% | |
| Vehicles registered under § 13-913, § 13-917, or § 13-937 (the for-hire, truck, and multipurpose classes) — windows immediately to the right or left of the driver | Same 35% figure; the statute places no percentage on those vehicles' remaining windows | |
| Windshield | Tinting material may never be added below the AS1 line or below 5 inches from the top of the windshield — § 22-406(i)(4)(iv)1 states this boundary expressly inside the exemption paragraph: nothing in the subsection "may be construed to allow" windshield tint below that line |
How to Read These Numbers
- Windshield: 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.
Getting tinted in Maryland?
182 shops listed statewide — compare ratings and call for a quote.
Maryland Tint Law Questions
What happens if my tint is darker than Maryland 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.