State tint law
Vermont window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Vermont DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Vermont?
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 | Sources differ. The DMV inspection manual effective September 1, 2026 fails any aftermarket tint on the windshield. Older guides allow a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line, and a 2024 bill proposed allowing the federal standard. Factory-tinted glass is fine. | |
| Front side windows | No aftermarket tint is allowed on the windows to the driver's left and right, unless you have a DMV medical exemption permit. Sources differ on inspections: a September 2025 news report says cars fail inspection for it from July 1, 2026, while the DMV inspection manual effective September 1, 2026 lists it as an advisory for cars and light trucks (heavy trucks and buses fail). A 70% standard was discussed in 2025 but we found no sign it was enacted. | |
| 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
- No metallic or mirrored appearance.
- Back side windows
- No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Other Vermont 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
- A DMV medical exemption permit (form VN-022), certified by a physician or optometrist, sets the lowest light transmission allowed on your vehicle. It never covers the windshield. Permits last 4 years or, for permanent conditions, indefinitely.
How the Vermont 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 New inspection rules: front side tint stays an advisory for cars
The DMV's Periodic Inspection Manual (rules effective September 1, 2026) lists aftermarket tint on the windows beside the driver as an advisory for cars and light trucks and a failure for heavy trucks and buses. Aftermarket windshield tint fails.
Source: Vermont DMV, Periodic Inspection Manual VN-113 (3/2026)
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News Report: illegal front tint to fail inspection again from July 1, 2026
Local news reported that illegal front tint would go back to failing inspection on July 1, 2026, after a few years as an advisory. The DMV's 2026 inspection manual (above) still lists it as an advisory for cars, so the two sources disagree.
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Proposed 70% front-window standard deferred
The conference committee on S.123, the 2025 motor vehicle bill, discussed a 70% light-transmittance standard for tint and deferred it until the DMV reported on inspection costs and enforcement. We found no sign it was enacted.
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Proposed Omnibus motor vehicle bill takes up windshield tint
The 2024 motor vehicle bill (S.309) addressed the gap between Vermont's windshield rule and the federal standard and directed the DMV to revise its inspection standards for tint.
Source: VTDigger, Feb 20, 2024
Where to find the Vermont tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Vermont. 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.
Sources disagree: Sources agree that aftermarket tint isn't allowed on the front side windows without a medical permit. They disagree on whether cars fail inspection for it from 2026, and on the windshield. Each source is listed below; check with the Vermont DMV before you install.
- Statute Vermont Statutes, Title 23 § 1125 (Obstructing windshields) (opens in a new tab) Vermont General AssemblyBans material on the windshield and on the windows to the driver's left and right; allows the rear windows with two side mirrors.
- Official guidance Periodic Inspection Manual VN-113 (3/2026, rules effective September 1, 2026): glass section (opens in a new tab) Vermont DMVCars and light trucks: aftermarket tint on the front side windows is an advisory, aftermarket windshield tint fails. Heavy trucks and buses: front side tint fails.
- Official guidance Window Tint Medical Exemption, form VN-022 (08/2025) (opens in a new tab) Vermont DMV
- Pending change Vermont S.123 (2025): motor vehicle bill (opens in a new tab) Vermont General AssemblyA 70% front-window standard was discussed in the May 2025 conference committee and deferred pending a DMV report. We found no sign it was enacted.
- News "Is it legal to tint your windows in Vermont? Here's what the law says" (Sep 23, 2025) (opens in a new tab) Burlington Free Press (USA TODAY Network)Says cars with illegal front tint fail inspection again from July 1, 2026.
- News "Final reading: omnibus motor vehicle bill tackles vehicle lights, window tints" (Feb 20, 2024) (opens in a new tab) VTDiggerAbout the 2024 bill's windshield change.
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