State tint law
District of Columbia window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the District of Columbia DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in District of Columbia?
Darkness is measured as visible light transmission (VLT): the percentage of light that gets through. A lower number means darker tint.
| Window | Cars | SUVs and vans |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Must let in at least 70% of light; darker tint is allowed above the AS-1 line or on the top 5 inches. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in at least 70% of light (minivans: 55%). | |
| Back side windows | Must let in at least 50% of light. | Minivans: must let in at least 35% of light. |
| Rear window | Must let in at least 50% of light. | Minivans: must let in at least 35% of light. |
Picked a legal shade? You can tint it yourself with a precut car tint kit from SnapTint, our DIY kit partner.
How reflective can tint be?
- Front side windows
- The law is unclear; check with your state DMV.
- Back side windows
- The law is unclear; check with your state DMV.
Other District of Columbia tint rules
- Restricted colors
- The law names no banned colors.
- Side mirrors
- The law is unclear; check with your state DMV.
- Film certification
- The law is unclear; check with your state DMV.
- Sticker
- The law is unclear; check with your state DMV.
- Medical exemption
- The DMV Director can exempt a vehicle whose owner has a medical condition requiring darker windows (50-2207.02(h)(5)).
Enforcement and penalties in District of Columbia
- Enforcement
- After a tint ticket, the vehicle must pass inspection at a DC inspection station within 5 business days. Police can order a vehicle removed to an inspection station if its tint puts public safety at risk. Installing illegal tint is prohibited (D.C. Code 50-2207.02).
- Penalties
- A $50 citation. If the vehicle isn't brought into compliance within 5 business days, a fine of up to $1,000, and up to $5,000 for a second or later finding. These are adjudicated as moving violations, and an unanswered notice leads to a registration suspension.
Films of 70% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in District of Columbia. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the District of Columbia tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for District of Columbia. We list all of them rather than picking one, so you can read them yourself and decide. Laws change, so check the current text before you install.
- Statute D.C. Code § 50-2207.02 (opens in a new tab) Council of the District of Columbia
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