New York Window Tinting Laws

Car window tinting laws in New York were enacted in 1991 and ammended in 2017. We have provided all the necessary information about your car's window tint, including how dark or reflective the tint is allowed in your state. There are also additional car window tinting rules and regulations in New York so make sure you read all about it below.

Window tint darkness in New York

The percent of visible light allowed through your car windows is called VLT: Visible Light Transmission. The percentage of light allowed through your film and glass in New York is very specific and different for sedan cars and SUV cars or vans.

Tint darkness for sedans:

  • Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
  • Rear Window: Any darkness can be used if using dual exterior rear view mirrors.

Tint darkness for SUV and vans:

  • Windshield: Must allow more than 70% of light in (non-reflective tint with any darkness can be used on top 6 inches).
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Any darkness can be used.
  • Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

Window tint reflection in New York

Window tint can reflect incoming light and reduce glare and heat. New York window tint law permits a certain window reflection when using a tint so make sure you pay attention to this as well.

Tint reflection for sedans:

  • Front Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
  • Back Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.

Tint reflection for SUV and vans:

  • Front Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
  • Back Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.

Other New York window tint rules and regulations:

New York does have several other important laws, rules and regulations pertaining to window tinting. They include the following:

  • Side Mirrors: Dual side mirrors are required if back side windows or rear window is tinted below 70% VLT.
  • Restricted Colors: No colors of tint are explicitly banned by New York tint laws.
  • Certificates: Film manufacturers are not required to certify the film they sell in this state.
  • Stickers: The sticker to identify legal tinting is required between the film & glass on each tinted window.
  • Medical Exceptions: New York allows medical exemptions for special tint. See form MV-80W below for details.
Keep in mind that New York tinting laws and regulations may be interpreted differently in your county or place of residence. We always recommend double-checking our information with your local DMV or law enforcement authorities.
New York Tint Laws Our information about window tint laws in New York was last updated in 2021. Tinting laws in New York were enacted in 1991 and ammended in 2017. In case any of our info provided is not up to date or correct be sure to contact us so we can fix it. Thanks!

State of New York Info

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th-most extensive, the 3rd-most populous, and the 7th-most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.

Capital: Albany

Population: 19,570,261

Area: 54,556 sq mi (141,300 km2)

Cities ▼

Cities in New York: New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Brooklyn, Rochester, Yonkers, Ithaca, Niagara Falls, White Plains, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Binghamton, Poughkeepsie, New Rochelle, Troy, Utica, Amityville, Town of Hempstead, Lake Placid, Plattsburgh, Huntington, Newburgh, Levittown, Scarsdale, Watertown, Great Neck, Elmira, Tarrytown, Cooperstown, Middletown, Garden City, Brookhaven, Islip, Smithtown, Canandaigua, Sleepy Hollow, Woodstock, Amherst, Bronxville, Babylon, Long Beach, Clifton Park, Glens Falls, Nyack, Mount Vernon, New Paltz, Town of Oyster Bay, Beacon, Rhinebeck

Counties ▼

Counties in New York: Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St , Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates

Wikipedia

State website


Tint law references:

New York Consolidated Laws: Vehicle & Traffic (VAT), Article 9, Section 375.12-a: Light transmittance; medical exemptions

New York Department of Motor Vehicles - Tinted windows


Medical exemption info:

New York DMV - Application for tinted window exemption (Form MV-80W; .pdf file)

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