In Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield (passenger cars) | 70% light transmittance (67 Pa. Code Ch. 175, Table X; all Table X levels assume ±3% accuracy). The Vehicle Code's own statutory standard (§ 4524(e)(1)) bans any sun screening device or material "which does not permit a person to see or view the inside of the vehicle" through the windshield, side wing, or side window; PennDOT's regulation states the number | |
| Front side windows/wings (passenger cars) | 70% VLT MAX | |
| Rear side windows/wings (passenger cars, 1998 & newer) | 70% (pre-1998 passenger cars: rear window reads "VESC-20" on Table X) | |
| Rear window (passenger cars, 1998 & newer) | 70% VLT MAX | |
| Trucks & multipurpose passenger vehicles; medium/heavy trucks & buses; all other vehicles | Windshield 70%, front side 70%, rear side windows and rear window: No Requirement |
How to Read These Numbers
- Windshield (passenger cars): 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.
- Front side windows/wings (passenger cars): 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/wings (passenger cars, 1998 & newer): 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 window (passenger cars, 1998 & newer): The rear window rule often interacts with side mirrors: darker rear glass typically requires dual outside mirrors.
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Pennsylvania Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Pennsylvania?
For front side windows, Pennsylvania allows tint down to 70% VLT MAX — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What happens if my tint is darker than Pennsylvania 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.