Washington tint laws, explained straight
Washington requires at least 24% of light to pass through your front side windows, on every vehicle. On a car that 24% floor applies to the back and rear glass too; SUVs, vans and trucks may go as dark as they like behind the driver. On the windshield, clear film is allowed and darker tint is limited to a band along the top, above the AS-1 line and no more than six inches down.
Washington tint law, in four quick answers
What is the darkest legal tint in Washington?
24% VLT on a passenger car, all the way around. SUVs, vans and trucks may run any darkness behind the driver, but the front side windows still need 24%. The statute is RCW 46.37.430.
Is 20% tint legal in Washington?
Not on any window that has to pass 24% of light, which means every window on a car and the front doors of an SUV. Behind the driver on an SUV, van or truck, 20% is legal.
Can I tint my front windows in Washington?
Yes, on every vehicle type, at 24% VLT or lighter and under 35% reflectivity. A legal ceramic shade still rejects most of the heat, which is the part people actually want.
What does Washington-legal tint cost?
$100 for a visor strip, $200 for the front two windows, $280 for a full windshield and $550 for a full vehicle surround, all in STEK LunaRay SMART ceramic.
The longer answers, including medical exemptions and enforcement
What is the legal tint limit for each window in Washington?
| Window | Cars & Sedans | SUVs, Vans & Trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Clear film, plus a tinted band along the top above the AS-1 line (6 inches max) | Same as cars |
| Front side windows | At least 24% of light must pass through (24% VLT) | At least 24% VLT |
| Back side windows | At least 24% VLT | Any darkness allowed |
| Rear window | At least 24% VLT | Any darkness allowed with dual side mirrors |
| Reflectivity | No more than 35% reflective | Same as cars |
| Prohibited colors | Red, gold, yellow and black-out films | Same as cars |
The percentages describe visible light transmission, or VLT: how much light passes through the glass and film together. Our tint percentages guide shows what each shade actually looks like. Rules can change and edge cases exist, so treat this page as a shop's honest summary rather than legal advice, and see RCW 46.37.430 for the statute itself.
Washington tint law questions, answered straight
What is the darkest legal tint in Washington state?
On a passenger car, every side and rear window must let at least 24% of light through, so 24% VLT is the darkest legal shade all around. SUVs, vans and trucks may go as dark as they like behind the driver, but the front side windows still need 24%. The letter of the law lives in RCW 46.37.430.
Is 20% tint legal in Washington?
Not on windows that require 24% light transmission: 20% film lets through less light than the law allows on any car side window or an SUV's front doors. It is legal behind the driver on SUVs, vans and trucks. We stock legal shades and will tell you exactly where a 20% film can and cannot go on your vehicle.
Can I tint my front windows in Washington?
Yes, on every vehicle type, as long as the film meets the 24% light transmission floor and stays under 35% reflectivity. A quality ceramic film at a legal shade still rejects most of the heat, which is the part people actually want.
Is there a medical exemption for darker tint?
Washington law provides for medical exemptions with documentation from a licensed physician for light-sensitive conditions. Keep the documentation in the vehicle. If you believe you qualify, get the paperwork first and we will match the film to what your exemption allows.
Will I get pulled over for illegal tint in Washington?
Illegal tint is an enforceable equipment violation, and it also complicates every future traffic stop. Our answer as a shop is simple: we install Washington-legal shades, every install leaves inspection-ready, and we will not put an illegal film on a street-driven car.
What does legal tint cost?
At SeaWraps, a front two window match in STEK LunaRay SMART ceramic is $200, a full vehicle surround is $550, windshield film is $280 and a visor strip is $100. Every shade we stock is street-legal for its window. The tint price guide covers all packages.