New Mexico window tint laws set the legal visible light transmission limit at 20% for front side, back side, and rear windows on sedans. The windshield allows nonreflective tint only above the AS-1 line or top five inches. Mirrored and metallic finishes are banned outright. This article covers penalties, the SUV exemption, labeling rules, and medical exemptions. The source is Code Section 66-3-846.1 NMSA 1978.
Key Terms Defined
Several terms appear throughout New Mexico tint law and are worth defining first. VLT stands for visible light transmission, the percentage of light passing through a tinted window, where a lower number means darker film. Nonreflective sun screening material absorbs light rather than bouncing it back, unlike mirrored or metallic film. The AS-1 line is a manufacturer marking on the windshield above which tint is allowed.
What the Law Says
Code Section 66-3-846.1 NMSA 1978 sets two separate standards that often get blended together in casual summaries. One standard is a measurable percentage limit called VLT, applying to specific window positions. The other is a flat ban on certain reflective finishes and certain film colors, applying regardless of how much light the film actually lets through. Understanding both standards separately avoids confusion about what is legal.
VLT Percentage Requirements
Under the VLT requirement, front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window on a standard sedan must allow no less than 20% of visible light through the film and glass combined. This is a measurable standard that law enforcement can check with a meter. A film advertised as 5% tint, sometimes called limo tint, does not meet this 20% minimum and is not legal on these windows.
Nonreflective and Color Restrictions
The nonreflective and color requirement is separate from the VLT percentage and applies independently of any transmission number. The statute bans mirrored or metallic finish film on covered windows regardless of how much light it transmits, since the ban targets the finish itself. The law also prohibits red, yellow, or amber tint on the windshield above the AS-1 line. A film can fail this rule even with a passing VLT.
Who It Applies To
Section 66-3-846.1 applies to any vehicle on New Mexico roads with sun screening material on the windshield, front side windows, back side windows, or rear window. The rule reaches the vehicle owner and whoever installs the film, since driving with noncompliant tint creates the violation. Passenger cars and sedans are held to the standard 20% VLT limit on all covered window positions without exception under this section.
Requirements or Elements
Certification and Labeling Requirements
New Mexico law also imposes a certification and labeling requirement on tint film installed on a covered vehicle. Installed sun screening material generally must carry a label identifying the film so an officer can confirm it meets the applicable standard. Skipping this labeling step can create a separate compliance problem even if the film’s actual VLT percentage would otherwise satisfy the 20% minimum required for side windows.
Penalties or Consequences
A violation of Code Section 66-3-846.1 is classified under current law as a penalty assessment misdemeanor, a citation based offense typically resolved without a full trial for a first violation. A 2018 amendment changed the offense classification and removed the specific $75.00 fine cap language that had previously appeared in the statute. Readers should confirm the current fine schedule directly with New Mexico courts or the Motor Vehicle Division.
Exceptions and Limitations
Section 66-3-846.1 includes exceptions that change how the VLT rule applies to certain vehicle types and to drivers with documented medical needs. These exceptions do not eliminate the nonreflective and color restrictions, which continue to apply across all covered vehicles. Understanding these exceptions clarifies why some vehicles on the road carry darker tint on certain windows than the standard 20% rule would otherwise permit for a sedan.
SUV, Van, and Multipurpose Vehicle Exemption
Under Code Section 66-3-846.1 subsection F, the 20% VLT minimum does not apply to windows located behind the driver on SUVs, crossovers, vans, buses, RVs, truck tractors, or motor homes. Front side windows on these same vehicles are not covered by this exemption and must still meet the standard 20% minimum like any passenger car. An SUV or van owner cannot legally apply exempt level tint darkness to front windows.
Medical Exemption
New Mexico allows a medical exemption process for drivers who need darker tint than the standard VLT minimum permits for a documented medical reason. This generally requires a signed affidavit from a licensed physician or optometrist certifying the darker film is medically necessary for a specific occupant. The affidavit exempts the qualifying vehicle from the standard penalty but not from the underlying certification and labeling requirement.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that any SUV or van can carry any tint darkness on any window under New Mexico law. Only windows behind the driver qualify for the exemption, while front side windows stay subject to the 20% minimum. Another misconception treats the nonreflective and color ban as identical to the VLT rule, when the statute treats these as two independent requirements. Laws may change, so check official sources.
New Mexico window tint rules come from Code Section 66-3-846.1 NMSA 1978, and the full text is available through the New Mexico Statutes Section 66-3-846.1 official text for readers reviewing the current language. The New Mexico Compilation Commission official state law repository also provides official access to current statutes. Questions about this article’s informational limits are addressed 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.