South Dakota window tint laws require front windshields and front side windows to allow more than 35% VLT and back side and rear windows to allow more than 20% VLT. A 9% enforcement tolerance applies to both limits. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine. This guide covers windshield rules, reflectivity limits, and medical exemptions under Codified Law Chapter 32-15 and Codified Law 22-6-2.
What VLT Means for Tint Darkness
VLT stands for visible light transmission. It measures the percentage of light that can pass through the combined glass and film on a vehicle window. A higher VLT number means more light gets through and the tint looks lighter. A lower VLT number means less light gets through and the tint looks darker. South Dakota sets separate minimum VLT numbers for different windows on the vehicle.
Understanding the Enforcement Tolerance
South Dakota law builds a 9% enforcement tolerance directly into the front and rear window statutes. This means the legal minimum is not a strict cutoff with zero room. A front side window rated at 35% VLT can test somewhat lower during a roadside check without automatically becoming a violation. This tolerance exists because tint meters and testing conditions can vary between devices and officers.
Class 2 Misdemeanor Explained
A Class 2 misdemeanor is the lowest criminal charge level in South Dakota, below a Class 1 misdemeanor and any felony. Under South Dakota Codified Law 22-6-2 misdemeanor classes and penalties, it carries a maximum of 30 days in a county jail or a $500 fine, or both. This is a real criminal charge rather than a simple fix-it ticket, even though many cases resolve with only a fine.
Front Windshield and Front Side Window Rules
Front side windows and the front windshield area near the driver fall under South Dakota Codified Law 32-15-2.4 on front windshield and side window tint. This statute requires more than 35% light transmittance on the windshield, side wing vents, and side windows adjacent to the driver seat, with a 9% enforcement tolerance built in. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Back Side and Rear Window Rules
Back side windows and the rear window behind the driver seat follow a separate rule from the front windows. State law requires these windows to allow more than 20% light transmittance, also with a 9% enforcement tolerance applied. This lower minimum reflects that rear visibility for the driver matters less than front visibility, so darker tint is allowed behind the driver seat compared to the front side windows and windshield.
Reflectivity Rules for Tinted Windows
South Dakota law does not set a specific reflectivity percentage the way it sets VLT percentages. Instead the state prohibits a metallic or mirrored appearance on front side windows and back side windows. The windshield above the manufacturer AS-1 line must use non-reflective film only. This means the standard is about appearance and glare rather than a numeric reflectivity limit, which differs from how some other states regulate reflective tint.
The AS-1 Line and Windshield Film Placement
The AS-1 line is a mark near the top of most windshields showing where a manufacturer considers the critical vision area to begin. South Dakota law allows non-reflective sunscreening film above this line but restricts how far any film can extend downward. Film may not extend beyond the AS-1 line or past the lowest point of the sun visor, and violating this placement rule is also a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Who These Rules Apply To
These window tint rules apply to any motor vehicle required to be registered in South Dakota and operated on the state highways. The rules cover the front windshield, side wing vents, front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window as separate categories with their own light transmittance requirements. Farm equipment and vehicles not required to be registered for highway use generally fall outside this specific registration based framework.
Manufacturer Certification and Sticker Requirements
Film manufacturers face a separate compliance obligation from vehicle owners and drivers. Under South Dakota Codified Law 32-15-2.7 manufacturer certification requirement, each manufacturer of film, glaze, or other window application must certify to the state Department of Public Safety that its product complies with the light transmission specifications set in the front and rear window statutes. This certification step happens at the manufacturer level rather than requiring individual driver paperwork.
Testing and Citation Documentation
Officers who use a tint meter to enforce the front or rear window statutes must follow the meter manufacturer’s own testing procedures. State law also requires that any citation issued for a tint violation include specific documentation. The officer must note the serial number of the meter used and the date it was last certified directly on the citation, creating a paper trail tied to the testing equipment.
Penalties for Illegal Window Tint
A violation of the front window VLT rule, the rear window VLT rule, or the windshield placement rule is each a Class 2 misdemeanor. Under South Dakota Codified Law 22-6-2 misdemeanor classes and penalties, that classification carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in a county jail or a $500 fine, or both. Courts may also order restitution as part of sentencing.
Medical Exemption Status in South Dakota
South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 32-15 does not contain a medical exemption provision allowing darker tint for drivers with documented health conditions. The front window statute and the rear window statute both set their VLT minimums and enforcement tolerance without carving out any exception tied to medical need or a physician certification. Any claim that South Dakota offers a medical exemption process is not supported by the current statute text.
Common Misconceptions About South Dakota Tint Law
A common misconception is that the 35% VLT number on front windows is an absolute line with no margin. The statute includes a 9% enforcement tolerance built into the text. Another misconception involves medical exemptions, since some sources claim South Dakota allows a doctor certified exception. The South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 32-15 vehicle and accessory specifications contains no such provision, and further detail is 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.