State tint law
Michigan window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Michigan DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Michigan?
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 | Tint is allowed only on the top 4 inches of the window. | |
| 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
- Must not be more than 35% reflective.
- Back side windows
- Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Other Michigan 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
- Carry a letter signed by a physician or optometrist saying the window treatment is a medical necessity for a light-sensitive or photosensitive person. Nothing is filed with the Secretary of State, and the treatment still can't block the driver's clear view of the road (MCL 257.709).
Enforcement and penalties in Michigan
- Enforcement
- Police can stop you for tint alone; courts treat it as an equipment violation.
- Penalties
- A civil infraction: a fine and court costs set by the local court, with no points on your license.
How the Michigan 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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Proposed Bill to remove the tint limits didn't pass
House Bill 5634 of the 2017-2018 session would have eliminated Michigan's prohibitions on window tint in MCL 257.709. It wasn't enacted; the 4-inch limit on front side windows still applies.
Where to find the Michigan tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Michigan. 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 Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.709 (opens in a new tab) Michigan Legislature
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