Nebraska window tint laws set the front window limit at more than 35% VLT and the rear window limit at more than 20% VLT for passenger vehicles under Code Section 60-6,257. Reflectance on front and back side windows cannot exceed 35%. A violation is a Class V misdemeanor under Code Section 60-6,258. This guide covers windshield rules, penalties, medical exemptions, and a 2025 legislative proposal, sourced from the Nebraska Legislature.
Key Terms in Nebraska Tint Law
Nebraska law regulates two separate properties of window film, and confusing them causes reader error. Light transmission measures how much visible light passes through the combined glass and film. Luminous reflectance measures how much light bounces back outward off the surface, similar to a mirror. Code Section 60-6,257 sets a floor for transmission and a ceiling for reflectance, and legal tint must satisfy both requirements at once.
The AS-1 line also causes confusion among Nebraska drivers researching tint rules. It is a mark factory printed near the top of most windshields, typically about five inches down from the roofline. Nebraska law allows non reflective tint above this line but requires the area below it to stay clear and transparent. Colored film in red, yellow, or amber above the AS-1 line is prohibited under the statute.
What the Law Says About Front Windows
Front side windows in Nebraska must allow more than 35% VLT to pass through under Code Section 60-6,257. This applies equally to sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, SUVs, vans, and any other motor vehicle required to register in the state. The same 35% figure also caps reflectance on these windows, so film cannot be darker than the transmission floor or shinier than the reflectance ceiling.
Rear and Back Side Window Rules
Passenger vehicles such as sedans, coupes, and station wagons face a different rule on rear and back side windows than on front windows. These windows must allow more than 20% VLT, a lower floor than the front window requirement, giving drivers room for darker privacy tint toward the back of the car. Reflectance on these same windows still cannot exceed 35% under the statute.
Nebraska treats multipurpose vehicles, vans, and buses differently for rear and back side windows than it treats standard passenger cars. Under Code Section 60-6,257, these vehicle types are exempt from the 20% transmission floor on these windows, allowing darker tint. This does not remove every rule. The general prohibition against substantially impairing the ability to see into the vehicle still applies to every vehicle type on Nebraska roads.
Who the Tint Law Applies To
The statute applies to any person who drives a motor vehicle required to be registered in Nebraska upon a public highway. This includes Nebraska residents and out of state drivers operating a Nebraska registered vehicle within the state. The law also extends to camper shells, motor homes, pickup covers, and slide in campers, which must meet federal safety glazing standards referenced in the statute.
Penalties for Illegal Window Tint
Driving with tint that violates Code Section 60-6,257 is classified as a Class V misdemeanor under Code Section 60-6,258. This is the lowest misdemeanor classification under Nebraska law and generally results in a fine rather than a jail sentence. The Nebraska Judicial Branch traffic fine and waiver schedule lists a standard waiver fine of $25 for a tinted windows citation.
A Class V misdemeanor conviction becomes part of a driver’s record, and additional charges from the same traffic stop can increase the total consequences a driver faces. The listed fine reflects a standard waiver amount rather than a fixed maximum written into the tint statute itself. A person cited under this law generally has the option to pay the waiver fine or contest the citation in court.
Medical Exemption Status in Nebraska
A significant number of websites claim Nebraska allows a medical exemption for darker tint with a physician’s note, but this claim does not match the actual statute. Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,257 tinting and sunscreening law contains no medical exemption provision of any kind. The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles forms page also does not list a tint exemption form, supporting the conclusion that no formal program exists.
Readers who need darker tint for a light sensitivity condition should not rely on third party websites offering to arrange an exemption, since these services describe a process the statute does not authorize. A driver with genuine medical concerns about sunlight exposure should contact the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles directly to confirm whether current administrative practice differs from the statute text as written.
Recent Legislative Activity on Tint Limits
Nebraska’s tint percentages have not changed recently, but a 2025 bill proposed a significant tightening of the current rules. Nebraska Legislature LB106 bill text on motor vehicle window requirements was introduced in the 109th Legislature and would have reduced the front side transmission floor and the reflectance ceiling from 35% down to 20%. The bill received a hearing but died without passing.
Because a bill covering this exact topic was actively moving through the Nebraska Legislature for over a year, drivers researching this topic should treat window tint rules as an area where verification matters. Laws and enforcement may change, and checking official state sources for the latest rules before installing tint is a reasonable step. A bill dying in committee does not guarantee similar proposals will not return later.
Common Misconceptions About Nebraska Tint Law
One frequent misconception is that any tint level is acceptable as long as a driver can still see out through the windshield. Nebraska law separately regulates transmission percentage, reflectance percentage, and a general prohibition on substantially impairing outside visibility into the vehicle, meaning tint can fail the law on more than one ground at once even with a single film applied.
Another common error is assuming rear window rules automatically apply the same way across every vehicle body style. Multipurpose vehicles receive different treatment under Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,258 windshield and windows violation penalty and the underlying statute than standard passenger cars do. Readers can review a fixed Disclaimer explaining how this general legal information should be used before making any tinting decision.
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.