State tint law
Iowa window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Iowa DMV before you install.
Law changed Jul 1, 2026Front side windows opened up from 70% to 50%. What changed
How dark can window tint be in Iowa?
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. Our older records allow a non-reflective strip above the manufacturer's AS-1 line; the 2026 statute doesn't mention a strip. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in at least 50% of light (since July 1, 2026). Sources differ: the Iowa DOT rule still says 70%. | |
| Back side windows | Any darkness is allowed. | Any darkness is allowed. |
| Rear window | Any darkness is allowed. | Any darkness is allowed. |
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
- Not excessively reflective; the law is not specific.
- Back side windows
- Not excessively reflective; the law is not specific.
Other Iowa tint rules
- Restricted colors
- No tint colors are banned.
- 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
- No new medical exemptions have been granted since July 4, 2012 under the DOT rule (Iowa Admin. Code 761-450.7). A vehicle with a Form 432020 signed before then could keep front windows between 35% and 70%; since July 1, 2026 that only matters below 50%. HF 766 doesn't mention medical exemptions.
Enforcement and penalties in Iowa
- Enforcement
- Iowa only limits the windshield and front side windows; the windows behind the driver aren't limited.
- Penalties
- A scheduled fine set by Iowa Code 805.8A(3), plus court costs.
How the Iowa 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.
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Law change Front side windows opened up to 50% tint
House File 766, signed May 15, 2026, set the front side windows at 50% light transmittance (was 70% under the DOT rule) and wrote the 70% windshield limit into the statute. Windows behind the driver are still not limited. The DOT rule (IAC 761-450.7) still said 70% when we checked on September 29, 2026.
Source: Iowa Legislature, HF 766 bill history (Acts ch. 1100)
Films of 50% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Iowa. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Iowa tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Iowa. 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: Since July 1, 2026, Iowa Code 321.438(2) (HF 766) sets 50% for the front side windows. The Iowa DOT rule (IAC 761-450.7), last amended in 2022, still says 70%. The statute is newer; we list both until the DOT updates its rule.
- Law change Iowa House File 766 (2026), Acts ch. 1100 (opens in a new tab) Iowa LegislatureFront side windows and front sidewings at least 50% (was 70%), from July 1, 2026.
- Regulation Iowa Administrative Code r. 761-450.7 (opens in a new tab) Iowa LegislatureLast amended in 2022; still says 70% for the front side windows.
- Statute Iowa Code § 321.438 (opens in a new tab) Iowa LegislatureThis Code 2026 PDF predates HF 766 and may still show the old text.
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