State tint law
Georgia window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Georgia DMV before you install.
Law changed Jul 1, 2026Front side windows 28%, rear side windows 15%. What changed
How dark can window tint be in Georgia?
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 | Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in at least 28% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in at least 15% of light. | Any darkness is allowed. |
| Rear window | Sources differ. HB 1161 lists the rear windshield twice: with the front side windows (at least 28%) and with the rear side windows (at least 15%). Read literally, the stricter 28% applies; the bill's summary and most guides say 15%. | Any darkness is allowed. |
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How reflective can tint be?
- Front side windows
- Must not be more than 20% reflective.
- Back side windows
- Must not be more than 20% reflective.
Other Georgia tint rules
- Restricted colors
- Red and amber are not allowed on the tint strip at the top of the windshield. The law names no colors for the other windows.
- Side mirrors
- No side-mirror requirement.
- Film certification
- Film manufacturers don't need to certify the film they sell in the state.
- Sticker
- No sticker identifying legal tint is required.
- Medical exemption
- Apply to the Department of Public Safety (form DPS-431) with an attestation from a Georgia-licensed physician or optometrist; physician assistants and nurses can't sign. The $10 fee is paid by money order or certified check. DPS only approves conditions that need less visible light, not UV protection or anything sunglasses can handle. The exemption lasts 4 years, stays in the vehicle and never covers the windshield. The form (revised 2022, before HB 1161) sets a floor of 23% light. Official form or instructions (opens in a new tab)
Enforcement and penalties in Georgia
- Enforcement
- Police can stop you for tint alone. Installing film that breaks the limits is a misdemeanor for the installer too (40-8-73.1(e) and (h)).
- Penalties
- A misdemeanor (40-8-73.1(h)). Georgia's general misdemeanor limit is a fine of up to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both (17-10-3).
How the Georgia tint law has changed
The changes we could document, newest first, each with its source. Where we only know that our older records differ from today's law, we say so rather than guess a date.
-
Law change Limits lowered: front sides 28%, rear side windows 15%
House Bill 1161 (Act 640), signed May 12, 2026, rewrote OCGA 40-8-73.1: front side windows must let in at least 28% of light (was 32%), and rear side windows on passenger cars at least 15% (was 32%), each plus or minus 3%. The bill lists the rear windshield under both limits, so read literally it stays at 28%; the bill's summary and most guides say 15%. The windshield rule, the 20% reflectance cap and the exemptions for multipurpose vehicles, buses and limousines didn't change.
-
Law change Tint law restored after a court ruling
House Bill 20 revived Georgia's window tint statute, with minor changes, after the Georgia Supreme Court had found the earlier version unconstitutional. It set the 32% limit (plus or minus 3%) and ended the requirement for compliance labels.
Source: Georgia Department of Public Safety: Georgia's new window tint law
Films of 28% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Georgia. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Georgia tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Georgia. 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.
Sources disagree: Rear windshield on cars: HB 1161 lists it both with the front side windows (28%) and with the rear side windows (15%). Read literally, 28% applies; the bill's summary and most guides say 15%. We show 28% to be safe.
- Law change House Bill 1161, as passed House and Senate (2026), Section 3 (tint) and Section 8 (effective July 1, 2026) (opens in a new tab) Georgia General AssemblyFront side windows 28% and rear side windows 15%, each plus or minus 3%; the rear windshield appears under both limits.
- Statute Official Code of Georgia § 40-8-73.1 (opens in a new tab) JustiaMay still show the text in force before July 1, 2026 (32%).
- Statute Official Code of Georgia § 40-8-73.1 (opens in a new tab) FindLawMay still show the text in force before July 1, 2026 (32%).
- Law change House Bill 1161 (Act 640), 2026: signed May 12, 2026, effective July 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) BillTrack50 (Georgia General Assembly bill record)Lowered the limits to 28% on the front side windows and 15% on the rear side windows and rear windshield of passenger cars.
- Legal guide Window tint in Georgia (2026 update) (opens in a new tab) Georgia traffic lawyer
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