Idaho window tint laws set a minimum of 35% VLT for front side windows and 20% VLT for rear side windows under Idaho Code Section 49-944. The windshield may carry non reflective tint only above the AS-1 line or within 6 inches of the top. Reflectivity on side windows cannot exceed 35%. The law also covers rear window tint, medical exemptions, and a $67 infraction penalty. Idaho Statutes and Idaho State Police confirm these rules.
Key Terms Idaho Tint Law Uses
Idaho Code Section 49-944 relies on specific legal terms that shape how the rule applies. Visible Light Transmission, often shortened to VLT, is the percentage of light that passes through the combined tint film and glass. Luminous reflectance measures how much light a tint bounces back outward, similar to a mirror effect. An infraction is a civil traffic violation rather than a criminal charge.
The AS-1 line is a manufacturer marked line near the top of most windshields showing where a factory sun shade band ends. Idaho Code Section 49-944 uses this line to define where non reflective tint may legally begin. If a vehicle has no visible AS-1 line, the law instead measures 6 inches down from the top of the windshield. This gives drivers a consistent standard even when the manufacturer line is faint or missing.
What Idaho Window Tint Law Requires
Idaho Code Section 49-944 divides window tint rules by location on the vehicle rather than by vehicle type, so cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans all follow the same standard. The windshield allows non reflective tint only above the AS-1 line or within the top 6 inches when no line is visible. This band exists to reduce glare without blocking the driver’s forward view through the main windshield area.
Front side windows, front side vents, and the rear window together must allow at least 35% VLT under Idaho Statutes Section 49-944, window tint standards and penalty. This 35% figure has a tolerance of plus or minus 3%, so tint measuring close to that line may still fall within legal limits during an inspection or traffic stop. Reflectance on these same windows cannot exceed 35%, also with a 3% tolerance built into the statute.
Side windows located to the rear of the driver follow a different standard than the rear window itself. Idaho Code Section 49-944 sets this rear side window minimum at 20% VLT, again with a 3% tolerance. Reflectance on rear side windows is also capped at 35%. This creates a meaningful gap between the front and rear side window rules that drivers should not overlook when choosing tint film.
A frequent point of confusion involves the rear window, meaning the actual back windshield of the vehicle, compared to the rear side windows located behind the driver and front passenger doors. Idaho Code Section 49-944 groups the rear window with the front side windows and front vents at the 35% VLT standard. The rear side windows carry the lower 20% VLT minimum. These are two distinct categories with two distinct legal thresholds.
Who Idaho Tint Law Applies To
Idaho Code Section 49-944 applies broadly to any person who places, installs, affixes, or applies window tinting film or a sunscreening device to a motor vehicle. The statute also prohibits operating, selling, or offering to sell a vehicle with windows that do not comply. This means liability under the law can extend to installers and sellers, not only to the driver or registered owner of the vehicle.
Because the statute uses the general term motor vehicle without separate categories for sedans, trucks, or multipurpose vehicles, the same VLT and reflectance standards apply uniformly across vehicle types. A driver moving between a sedan and an SUV in Idaho does not need to track different tint percentages for each vehicle class, which simplifies compliance compared to states that split rules by vehicle type.
Additional Requirements Under Idaho Law
Idaho Code Section 49-944 includes a mirror requirement tied directly to rear window tinting. If a vehicle’s rear window carries any tint film or sunscreening device, the vehicle must be equipped with dual side mirrors. This requirement exists because a tinted rear window reduces the driver’s ability to see directly behind the vehicle, so both side mirrors become the primary rear visibility tool.
The statute does not specify banned tint colors, so Idaho drivers are not restricted to particular color choices for window film. The controlling factors remain the VLT percentage and the luminous reflectance percentage rather than the color of the film itself. A tint that meets the numeric thresholds is not made illegal simply by its shade or tint color under the current statute language.
Penalties for Violating Idaho Tint Law
A violation of Idaho Code Section 49-944 is classified as an infraction, which is a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. According to the Idaho State Police tint law notice, the penalty for a tint violation is $67. This fine can apply to the vehicle’s driver as well as to the person or business that installed the noncompliant tint.
Because the violation is an infraction, a conviction under this section does not carry jail time or a criminal record. The infraction classification reflects Idaho’s approach of treating window tint compliance as an equipment and safety standard similar to other vehicle equipment rules, rather than as a serious criminal matter. Drivers cited under this section still receive a citation that must be resolved through the applicable court process.
Medical Exemption for Darker Tint
Idaho Code Section 49-944 allows a medical exemption that permits darker tint than the standard limits. To qualify, the vehicle operator or a passenger must possess written verification from a licensed physician stating that the person must be protected from sunlight or heat exposure for medical reasons tied to past or current treatment. This written verification must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Under the medical exemption, the front windshield may use non reflective tint with a light transmission of at least 70%, with a 3% tolerance. The vehicle’s windows under this exemption must allow at least 20% VLT, also with a 3% tolerance, and luminous reflectance in each case cannot exceed 35% with the same 3% tolerance. This exemption applies specifically to the vehicle used by the qualifying operator or passenger.
Exception for Factory Installed Tinted Glass
Idaho Code Section 49-944 does not make it illegal to operate or sell a vehicle with a windshield or windows that were treated with a material the vehicle came equipped with when sold new. This covers glass or components that could have been included as standard or optional equipment from the manufacturer or authorized dealer at the time of manufacture. This exception protects factory tinted glass from being treated the same as aftermarket film.
Common Misconceptions About Idaho Tint Rules
Many drivers assume the rear window and the rear side windows share the same VLT requirement, but Idaho Code Section 49-944 treats them differently. The rear window falls under the 35% VLT group with the front side windows, while the rear side windows carry a separate 20% VLT minimum. Confusing these two categories can lead a driver to install tint that meets one standard while failing the other.
Some drivers also believe Idaho requires a sticker or certificate confirming legal tint, similar to rules in certain other states. Idaho Code Section 49-944 does not include a sticker or manufacturer certification requirement as part of its standards. Compliance is instead measured directly against the VLT and reflectance percentages written into the statute, which an officer can verify with appropriate testing equipment during a stop.
Laws and enforcement may change. Idaho Code Section 49-944 was last amended in 2023, so drivers should check official state sources for the latest rules before assuming older tint percentages or exemption terms still apply. For a full explanation of how Lawwalls presents informational content like this guide, see 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.