In Virginia, 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 Virginia state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | No sun-shading or tinting film at all without a DMV medical authorization (per the DMV's official table: "No sun-shading allowed") | |
| Front side windows | 50% total light transmittance — § 46.2-1052(D)(2) | |
| Rear side windows | 35% — § 46.2-1052(D)(1) | |
| Rear window | 35% — § 46.2-1052(D)(1) |
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.
- Front side windows: 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: 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: The rear window rule often interacts with side mirrors: darker rear glass typically requires dual outside mirrors.
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Virginia Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Virginia?
For front side windows, Virginia allows tint down to 50% total light transmittance — § 46.2-1052(D)(2) — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What happens if my tint is darker than Virginia 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.