State tint law
Kentucky window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Kentucky DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Kentucky?
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 above the AS-1 line, or film on the whole windshield if it lets in at least 70% of light and isn't red or yellow. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in more than 35% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in more than 18% of light. | Must let in more than 8% of light. |
| Rear window | Must let in more than 18% of light. | Must let in more than 8% 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
- Must not be more than 25% reflective.
- Back side windows
- Must not be more than 25% reflective.
Other Kentucky tint rules
- Restricted colors
- Film on the windshield can't be red or yellow. The law names no colors for the other windows.
- Side mirrors
- No side-mirror requirement.
- Film certification
- Film manufacturers must certify the film they sell in the state. Ask your installer for certified film.
- Sticker
- A sticker identifying legal tint is required on the inside of the driver's side door jamb.
- Medical exemption
- Sources differ. KRS 189.110 has no medical exemption, but some guides say Kentucky accepts a physician's note carried in the vehicle. We found no exemption in the current statute.
Enforcement and penalties in Kentucky
- Enforcement
- Installers must put a compliance label on the inside left door jamb. Film that breaks the limits must be removed immediately, and installing it is prohibited.
- Penalties
- Drivers: a fine of $20 to $100 per offense (KRS 189.990(1)). Installers: a Class B misdemeanor.
How the Kentucky 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 Full-windshield film allowed at 70% or more
Senate Bill 46, effective July 2024, allows film across the whole windshield if it lets in at least 70% of light and isn't red or yellow.
Source: News coverage of Kentucky's 2024 windshield tint change
Films of 35% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Kentucky. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Kentucky tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Kentucky. 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 Kentucky Revised Statutes § 189.110 (opens in a new tab) Justia
- News News coverage of Kentucky's 2024 windshield tint change (opens in a new tab) Yahoo News
- Statute Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.110 (opens in a new tab) Kentucky General AssemblySource for the color rule.
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