State tint law
South Carolina window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the South Carolina DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in South Carolina?
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 27% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in more than 27% of light. | Any darkness is allowed. |
| Rear window | Must let in more than 27% of light. | 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 South Carolina tint rules
- Restricted colors
- Red, amber and yellow tints are not legal.
- 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
- A sticker identifying legal tint is required between the film and the glass on each tinted window.
- Medical exemption
- No state permit: carry an affidavit from a South Carolina-licensed physician or optometrist, show it to police on request, and renew it every 2 years (56-5-5015(H)).
Enforcement and penalties in South Carolina
- Enforcement
- Each tinted window must carry a certificate of compliance in its inside lower right corner, with the light transmission, the installer's name, address and phone, and the date (S.C. Code 56-5-5015(E)).
- Penalties
- Owners and drivers: a misdemeanor, a fine of up to $200 or up to 30 days. Missing certificates or selling illegal film: at least $1,000 or 30 days for professional tinters, at least $200 or 30 days for consumers.
Films of 27% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in South Carolina. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the South Carolina tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for South Carolina. 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 South Carolina Code § 56-5-5015 (opens in a new tab) South Carolina Legislature
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