Delaware window tint laws require front side windows to allow at least 70% VLT, among the strictest standards in the country. Aftermarket tint is not permitted on front side windows without a medical exemption. Rear side and rear windows have no VLT minimum but cannot be reflective or metallic. This guide covers penalties, exemptions, vehicle scope, and a pending bill that could lower the front window standard. The rule comes from Delaware Code Title 21.
Visible Light Transmission Explained
Visible Light Transmission, known as VLT, measures the percentage of light that passes through a car window and any tint film applied to it. A higher VLT number means a lighter, more see through tint. A 70% VLT rule means at least 70 out of 100 units of light must reach the inside of the vehicle. This is often misunderstood, since a higher percentage means less darkness, not more.
The AS-1 Line on Windshields
The AS-1 line is a manufacturer marked boundary near the top edge of a windshield. Delaware law allows non reflective tint or a sun strip above this line but not below it. The line is not created by state law itself but by the vehicle manufacturer as part of federal glazing standards. Drivers can typically find it marked in small etched lettering at the edge of the windshield glass.
Front Side Window Tint Rules
Delaware Code Title 21, Section 4313 on window tinting requires that the front windshield, the side windows to the immediate right and left of the driver, and any side wings meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 as it existed when the vehicle was manufactured. In practical terms, this means aftermarket tint on front side windows is not permitted for most Delaware drivers. Only a medical exemption allows front side window tint darker than the factory glass.
Rear Side and Rear Window Rules
Delaware law does not set a minimum VLT percentage for the side windows behind the driver or for the rear window. Any darkness is generally allowed on these windows under current law. However, this does not mean rear windows are free of all rules. Reflective or metallic tint is not allowed on rear windows, and if rear window tint is applied, the vehicle must have outside mirrors on both the left and right sides.
Reflectivity and Color Restrictions
Delaware regulation restricts how mirror like or reflective window tint can appear, regardless of how dark the tint is. This rule applies across front, side, and rear windows equally. The state does not restrict specific tint colors under the sections reviewed here, which differs from several other states that ban shades like red or amber. Reflectivity, not color, is the primary characteristic Delaware regulates.
Who Must Follow This Law
The window tint requirements apply to any motor vehicle operated on a public highway, road, or street in Delaware. This includes vehicles registered outside of Delaware that are simply driving through or visiting the state. Delaware Administrative Code Title 2, Section 2277 confirms that the tint specification applies to all motor vehicles operated on Delaware roads regardless of where those vehicles are registered.
Vehicles Exempt From the Standard Rule
Several vehicle categories fall outside the standard tint requirement. Antique motor vehicles and street rods that meet the state’s own antique vehicle definitions are not subject to Section 4313 if they use correctly installed anodized glass. Police K-9 unit vehicles and unmarked surveillance vehicles operated by police officers are also exempt. This exemption does not extend to marked patrol vehicles used for regular duty patrols.
The Medical Exemption Statement
A driver cannot be convicted under Section 4313 if they possess a statement signed by a licensed physician, osteopathic doctor, or optometrist verifying that tinted windows are medically necessary for the vehicle’s owner or usual operator. The statute itself describes this as a possession based requirement. It requires the driver to have the signed statement available, rather than describing a separate state filing process or fee paid to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
Certificate Display for Aftermarket Tint
Delaware law also requires that any motor vehicle with after manufacture window tinting material display a certificate from the material’s manufacturer. This certificate confirms the tinting material meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 requirements in effect when the vehicle was manufactured. A validated mandatory inspection notice showing the Division of Motor Vehicles has since confirmed compliance can serve as a valid defense to a charge under this requirement.
Penalties for Vehicle Operators and Owners
Under Section 4315 of Delaware Code Title 21, a person found guilty as the operator, owner, or custodian of a vehicle violating the window tint sections may face a fine of not less than $28.75 nor more than $100. This penalty applies broadly to violations across Sections 4312 through 4316. Courts may dismiss a tint related violation before trial if the defendant shows repairs have been made to bring the vehicle into compliance.
Penalties for Commercial Tint Installers
A separate and higher penalty applies to businesses that install illegal window tint. Under Delaware Code Title 21, Section 4313A, any person who installs window tinting material as part of a commercial activity in violation of Section 4313 may be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500. If the vehicle owner paid a fee for that installation, the installer must also pay restitution to the owner equal to the amount charged.
Pending Change Under Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 255
Delaware lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 255 to change the front side window standard from 70% VLT to 35% VLT. That original bill was later replaced by Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 255, Delaware General Assembly, which instead proposes a 50% VLT standard for front side windows and side wings. The substitute bill was reported out of committee on May 20, 2026 but has not been enacted into law.
What the Substitute Bill Would Change
Original Senate Bill 255, Delaware General Assembly and its substitute both aim to modernize Delaware’s tint standard while preserving officer visibility during traffic stops. The substitute bill also clarifies that there is no VLT requirement for side windows behind the driver or for the rear window, matching current enforcement practice. It further clarifies that vehicles operated by law enforcement officers are exempt from the tint restriction entirely.
Current Status and What This Means Today
As of this writing, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 255 has not been signed into law and carries no confirmed effective date, volume, or chapter number. This means the existing 70% VLT requirement for front side windows remains fully in force for Delaware drivers right now. Laws and enforcement may change, so drivers should check official state sources for the latest confirmed rules before making tint decisions.
Common Misconceptions About Delaware Tint Law
Many drivers assume a 70% VLT rating describes how dark a tint looks, when it actually measures how much light passes through. Some also assume the medical exemption requires a paid filing with a state agency, though the statute itself only requires the driver to carry the signed practitioner statement. Others believe rear windows have no rules at all, when reflectivity and dual mirror requirements still apply even without a VLT minimum in place.
Delaware Tint Law and Vehicle Registration
A common point of confusion involves vehicles registered in other states. Delaware’s tint standard is not limited to Delaware registered vehicles. Any vehicle operated on a Delaware public highway, road, or street must meet the same front window and reflectivity standards as vehicles titled within the state, based on the scope described in the Delaware Administrative Code. Out of state drivers passing through are not automatically exempt from these requirements. For readers who want to understand how Lawwalls approaches informational legal content generally, more detail is available on the Disclaimer page.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Lawwalls publishes informational content only and does not provide legal services or legal advice.
For legal advice about your specific situation contact a licensed attorney in your state. Laws change and vary by jurisdiction. Verify current rules with official government sources or a qualified lawyer.