Mississippi window tint laws require front side windows to allow at least 28% VLT under Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59. Back side and rear windows follow the same 28% VLT minimum for standard cars. Reflectivity on side windows cannot exceed 20%. This guide covers window type rules, the label requirement, standard penalties, the tampering penalty, and medical exemptions. The source is Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 and Section 63-9-11.
What VLT and Reflectivity Mean
VLT stands for visible light transmission, the percentage of light that passes through a tinted window. A lower VLT percentage means a darker film. Reflectivity measures how mirror-like a window looks from outside and is tested separately from darkness. Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 regulates both VLT and reflectivity, so a film can fail one test while passing the other entirely.
Windshield and the AS-1 Line
The windshield may carry nonreflective tint only above the manufacturer AS-1 line, a factory-marked line near the top of the glass. Tint below the AS-1 line on the windshield is not permitted under Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59. This rule exists because tint below the sightline can interfere with driver visibility. The AS-1 line position is set by the manufacturer and varies by vehicle.
Front Side Windows
Front side windows must allow 28% VLT or more, letting at least 28% of light pass through the glass and film combined. Back side windows carry the same 28% VLT minimum on standard passenger vehicles. The rear window also follows the 28% VLT standard for sedans and similar cars. These figures measure the combined glass and film, not the film alone.
Reflectivity Limits
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 caps reflectivity on side windows at 20%, measured separately from the VLT darkness rule. A film that meets the 28% VLT minimum can still violate the law if its reflective coating exceeds 20%. Reflectivity is often confused with darkness, but a highly reflective film can look lighter while still failing this separate test. Installers should confirm both ratings.
Who the Law Applies To
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 applies to vehicles registered and operated within Mississippi. Enforcement is statewide, carried out jointly by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and municipal police in cities with a population over 2,000. No county or city sets a separate tint darkness rule under current Mississippi law. Any page suggesting a different local standard describes the same statewide requirement.
Label and Certification Requirement
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 requires a light transmittance label affixed to tinted windows confirming the film meets the legal minimum. This sticker documents that the installed film was tested and complies with the VLT and reflectivity standards. Officers may check for this label during a traffic stop in addition to assessing tint darkness visually. A vehicle can face scrutiny for a missing label even with legal tint.
Standard Tint Violations
Ordinary tint violations under Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 are penalized through the general schedule in Mississippi Code Section 63-9-11. A first violation may result in a fine of $100 or ten days in jail. A second violation may result in a fine of $200 or twenty days in jail. A third or later violation may result in a fine of $500 or up to six months in jail.
Label or Certificate Tampering
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 subsection 10 sets a separate, higher penalty specifically for tampering with or falsifying the required light transmittance label. This tampering violation may result in a fine of $1,000 or up to three months in jail, distinct from the standard darkness penalty schedule. Many sources describe $1,000 as the general tint fine, which misstates the statute and its scope.
Medical Exemption Process
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 subsection 4 allows a medical exemption permitting darker tint than the standard 28% VLT minimum for a documented medical reason. The process requires a physician-signed Mississippi DPS window tint medical waiver affidavit confirming the medical necessity. According to the Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau tint waiver information, the waiver is issued free through county tax collector offices once submitted.
SUV, Van, and Pickup Truck Rules
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 subsection 3 permits back side and rear windows on SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks to use darker tint than sedans under specific conditions. This exemption applies when the glass meets factory or federal pre-delivery sun-shield standards, not unlimited aftermarket darkness. Front side windows on these vehicle types still follow the standard 28% VLT minimum regardless of vehicle classification.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that the $1,000 penalty applies to any dark tint violation, when Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 on window tint reserves that amount for label tampering under subsection 10. Another misconception treats SUV and van rear windows as exempt from any darkness limit, though the exemption depends on meeting factory-delivery standards rather than granting unlimited freedom to install any film.
A third misconception assumes reflectivity and VLT darkness are the same measurement, though Mississippi Code Section 63-9-11 general penalty schedule and Section 63-7-59 treat them as separate legal tests with separate limits. Laws and enforcement may change over time, so readers should check official state sources for the latest rules before installing tint film or relying on outdated figures found elsewhere online.
Verifying Current Rules
Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59 was substantively amended in 2015, with the core 28% VLT requirement in effect since July 1, 2006. State code publications can lag behind the most recent legislative session, so confirming current text through an official source remains useful before relying on a single figure found elsewhere online or in outdated third party marketing materials from tint retailers.
For general questions about how these tint rules may apply to a specific vehicle or situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state rather than relying solely on informational summaries found online. Additional context on how Lawwalls presents this legal information, including its limits and general scope, is available on the Disclaimer page linked at the end of this final section.
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.