State tint law
Missouri window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Missouri DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Missouri?
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 manufacturer's AS-1 line. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in more than 35% of light. | |
| 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 Missouri 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 don't need to certify the film they sell in the state.
- Sticker
- No sticker identifying legal tint is required.
- Medical exemption
- The Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) can issue a permit for darker front side windows to a person with a serious medical condition when their physician prescribes it. The permit covers the titleholder and relatives living in the household. The windshield is never covered.
Enforcement and penalties in Missouri
- Enforcement
- Police can stop you for tint alone.
- Penalties
- A Class C misdemeanor (307.173.4): up to 15 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.
How the Missouri 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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Guidance Medical tint permit rule takes effect
The Missouri rule for window-tinting permits (11 CSR 30-7.010), issued under the tint statute (RSMo 307.173), took effect February 28, 2002, replacing an earlier regulation.
Source: 11 CSR 30-7.010 (Cornell LII)
Films of 35% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Missouri. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Missouri tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Missouri. 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 Missouri Revised Statutes § 307.173 (opens in a new tab) Missouri Revisor of Statutes
- Statute Missouri Revised Statutes § 307.173 (opens in a new tab) FindLaw
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