State tint law
Maine window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Maine DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Maine?
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 4 inches of the windshield. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in more than 35% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in at least 35% of light, unless the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides; then any darkness is allowed. | Any darkness is allowed. |
| Rear window | Must let in at least 35% of light, unless the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides; then 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
- Must be non-reflective; the law does not say what that means.
- Back side windows
- Must be non-reflective; the law does not say what that means.
Other Maine tint rules
- Restricted colors
- No tint colors are banned.
- Side mirrors
- Dual side mirrors are required if the back window is tinted.
- Film certification
- Film manufacturers must certify the film they sell in the state. Ask your installer for certified film.
- Sticker
- No sticker identifying legal tint is required.
- Medical exemption
- The Chief of the State Police can grant an exemption when sunlight harms the health of the owner or a regular occupant. Show the certificate of exemption to police on request (1916(2)(A)(4)).
Enforcement and penalties in Maine
- Enforcement
- A tinted vehicle needs a light transmittance certificate from a person authorized by the State Police, shown at the state inspection. If you can't show it when an officer asks, the vehicle is presumed not to comply (29-A M.R.S. 1916).
- Penalties
- A traffic infraction with a forfeiture of at least $100.
How the Maine 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 Side and rear limit lowered from 50% to 35%
Maine's law originally required at least 50% light transmission on all side and rear windows. A 2009 change lowered that to 35%, which is still the limit (and windows behind the driver are exempt with two outside mirrors).
Source: TintCenter blog, Jul 3, 2009
Films of 35% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Maine. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Maine tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Maine. 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 Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A § 1916 (opens in a new tab) Maine Legislature
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TintCenter news about the Maine tint law
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Car Window Tinting Laws are as Varied as the TintsFrom our 2012 archive; the limits above are the current law.
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Maine Tint Law ChangeFrom our 2009 archive; the limits above are the current law.