Kentucky window tint laws set specific visible light transmission limits for every window on a vehicle under Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110. Front side windows and back side windows must allow more than 35% of light through, while a full windshield tint is allowed only if it transmits at least 70% light and is not red or yellow. A violation is classified as a Class B misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $250. This guide covers VLT limits, reflectivity rules, the windshield exception, vehicle type differences, and penalties under the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police framework.
Key Terms Defined
Visible Light Transmission, commonly called VLT, describes the percentage of visible light that can pass through a vehicle window once both the glass and any film are combined. A higher VLT percentage means a lighter tint that lets more light through, while a lower percentage means a darker tint. Kentucky law measures compliance using this VLT percentage rather than a subjective darkness description, which gives officers a testable standard during a traffic stop.
Reflectance describes how much incoming light a tint film bounces back like a mirror, which is a separate concept from how dark the tint appears from inside the vehicle. A film can have a moderate VLT percentage yet still exceed the legal reflectance limit because reflectance measures shine rather than light transmission. Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 addresses reflectance separately from VLT for this reason.
The AS-1 line is a mark etched by the vehicle manufacturer near the top of the windshield glass. Under the older strip-only approach to windshield tinting, only the section of glass above this manufacturer-marked line could carry non-reflective tint. Many drivers are unaware the AS-1 line even exists on their vehicle, which creates confusion when comparing windshield tint rules to older strip-based guidance.
What the Law Says
Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 governs the windshield, front side windows, back side windows, and rear window separately, with each category carrying its own light transmission or reflectance standard. The statute defines tint film as sunscreening material and applies a 3 percentage-point tolerance when law enforcement measures a window using a meter, which accounts for normal measurement variation rather than granting drivers additional darkness beyond the stated limits.
For the windshield, tint is permitted on the strip above the AS-1 line using the traditional non-reflective standard. Since Senate Bill 46 took effect on July 15, 2024, Kentucky law also permits sunscreening material across the entire windshield surface provided the material allows at least 70% of light through and is not red or yellow in color. This 2024 amendment expanded windshield tint options beyond the older strip-only approach that many outdated guides still describe as the only rule.
Front side windows, meaning the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver and front passenger, must allow more than 35% of light to pass through the combined glass and film. This limit applies uniformly regardless of vehicle type under the statute’s front window provisions, giving drivers a single clear standard for the front two windows on any covered vehicle.
Reflectivity is addressed separately from VLT. Windows behind the driver, meaning back side windows and the rear window, may not exceed 35% reflectance under the verified statute text. This reflectance ceiling applies independently of whatever VLT percentage the tint film carries, so a film can pass the light transmission test yet still violate the law if it reflects too much light back toward oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
Who It Applies To
Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 distinguishes between passenger vehicles and multipurpose vehicles such as SUVs, vans, and trucks when setting limits for back side windows and the rear window. This distinction exists because multipurpose vehicles are often used to transport cargo or passengers in ways that make additional rear privacy more practical, so the statute calibrates the rear window standards differently for each vehicle category rather than applying one flat rule to every vehicle on the road.
For a standard passenger vehicle, back side windows and the rear window must allow more than 18% of light through. For a multipurpose vehicle such as an SUV, van, or pickup truck, back side windows and the rear window must allow more than 8% of light through, a darker allowance than what passenger vehicles receive. Front side window and windshield rules remain the same across both vehicle categories, and only the back side and rear window standards shift based on vehicle classification.
Requirements
Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 requires that any vehicle with tinted windows carry a label certifying that the tint complies with the statute’s VLT and reflectance limits. This compliance label is typically affixed to the inside of the driver’s door jamb area. The installer or seller of the tint film is generally responsible for providing this certification label at the time the film is applied, giving officers and inspectors a quick reference point during a stop or inspection.
Penalties or Consequences
A violation of Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 is classified as a Class B misdemeanor under the statute’s own enforcement provision. Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 534.040 sets the maximum fine for a Class B misdemeanor at $250. This general misdemeanor fine statute, rather than a tint-specific dollar figure, governs the financial consequence for illegal window tint, so drivers should not rely on other dollar amounts that circulate outside the verified statutory text.
Exceptions and Limitations
The windshield exception created by Senate Bill 46 is the primary statutory exception within Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110, allowing full windshield sunscreening material at 70% VLT or higher, provided the material is not red or yellow. Outside of the AS-1 strip allowance and this 70% full-windshield option, the statute does not describe additional windshield exceptions in its current codified text.
Regarding a medical exemption for darker tint than the statute otherwise allows, no such provision was identified within the current codified text of Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110 subsections one through twelve. Commercial sources online make conflicting claims on this point, with some asserting no exemption exists and others describing a detailed application process, but neither claim traces to verifiable statutory language. A driver seeking clarity on this question should confirm directly with the Kentucky State Police or the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet rather than relying on secondary sources.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that Kentucky’s windshield tint rule still limits drivers to only the strip above the AS-1 line, when in fact the 70% full-windshield option has been available since July 15, 2024. Another misconception treats VLT and reflectance as the same measurement, when the statute in fact applies them as two distinct standards, meaning a tint film can meet one requirement while failing the other. A further misconception assumes one flat rear window rule applies to every vehicle, when passenger vehicles and multipurpose vehicles carry different back side and rear window standards under the statute. Laws and enforcement may change, so drivers should check official state sources for the most current rules before assuming any figure remains fixed indefinitely.
Kentucky’s tint rules also interact with vehicle inspection and traffic enforcement generally, since an officer can measure tint darkness during a routine stop using a meter subject to the statute’s 3 percentage-point tolerance. Understanding both the Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 189.110, official text and the Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 534.040, fines for misdemeanors helps clarify why a tint violation is treated as a criminal misdemeanor matter rather than a simple civil infraction, and the Kentucky Legislature record for Senate Bill 46 documents the 2024 amendment that changed windshield tint options statewide. This article is general information only, and readers can review the Disclaimer for further context on how Lawwalls content should be used.
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.