Tennessee window tint laws set clear percentage limits on how much light must pass through vehicle glass. Under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-9-107, front side, back side, and rear windows must allow more than 35% VLT. The windshield must allow more than 70% VLT below the manufacturer AS-1 line. This guide covers penalties, medical exemptions, and enforcement rules confirmed through the Tennessee Code.
Key Terms Defined
VLT Visible Light Transmission
VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission and it measures how much light passes through both the glass and the film combined. A higher VLT number means a lighter tint that lets more light through. A lower VLT number means a darker tint that blocks more light. In Tennessee a window with 35% VLT allows more than a third of visible light to pass through it.
The AS-1 Line
The AS-1 line is a mark etched near the top of most factory windshields by the vehicle manufacturer. Tennessee law allows a non-reflective tint strip only above this line on the windshield. Below the AS-1 line the windshield must allow more than 70% VLT. Drivers who cannot locate the AS-1 line on their vehicle are generally guided to treat the top few inches of the windshield as the reference point.
What the Law Says
Tennessee window tint laws are codified in Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 on tinted motor vehicle windows, which sets the visible light transmission standards for every window on a motor vehicle. The statute makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle where any window has been altered by film that reduces VLT below the required threshold. This single section governs windshields, side windows, and the rear window.
Windshield Tint Rules
The windshield in Tennessee must allow more than 70% VLT except for the area above the AS-1 line. This threshold connects to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 on glazing materials, the federal standard governing glazing materials used in windshields. Tennessee law treats the manufacturer’s standard shade band as an exception to the 70% rule, so factory shade bands are not violations.
Front, Back, and Rear Side Window Rules
Front side windows, back side windows, and the rear window in Tennessee must each allow more than 35% VLT. This rule applies the same way to sedans, SUVs, vans, and trucks, since Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 does not create a separate darker allowance for larger vehicle classes. A film that reduces VLT below 35% on any of these windows places the vehicle in violation regardless of type.
Reflectivity and Metallic Tint Rules
Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 addresses light transmittance directly, and its listed exceptions focus on federal permitted models, government vehicles, out of state registration, and licensed investigator vehicles rather than reflectivity language. Some third party sources describe additional metallic or color restrictions, but this guide relies only on verified statute language rather than unconfirmed claims. Readers should confirm any reflectivity question directly with Tennessee authorities.
Who It Applies To
Passenger Vehicles, SUVs, and Vans
The 35% VLT standard for side and rear windows and the 70% VLT standard for the windshield apply uniformly across passenger vehicle types under Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107. Sedans, SUVs, vans, and trucks are held to the same numeric thresholds rather than separate categories with different darkness allowances. This differs from some other states that permit darker rear windows for SUVs and vans specifically.
Out-of-State Vehicles
Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 exempts any motor vehicle registered in another state that meets that state’s own tint requirements. This means a vehicle tinted to comply with a different state’s darker allowance can generally be driven into Tennessee without matching Tennessee’s own percentages, as long as the vehicle remains registered in that other state. This exemption ends once a vehicle becomes registered in Tennessee itself.
Requirements or Elements
Professional Installer Sticker and Receipt Requirements
Any professional installer who applies window tinting materials for profit in Tennessee must affix an adhesive label to the lower right corner of the driver’s window. The label must state the installer’s business name and a legend confirming compliance with Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107. The installer must also supply a signed receipt listing the date and vehicle details, and the owner carries the burden of proving compliance.
Penalties or Consequences
Class C Misdemeanor Classification and Statutory Fine
A violation of Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest misdemeanor category under Tennessee law. A Class C misdemeanor carries a statutory fine of up to $50 and a jail term of up to 30 days, though jail time for a first tint violation is uncommon. Court costs are assessed separately and are not fixed by the tint statute itself.
Field Comparison Test and Refusal Consequences
An officer with reasonable belief that a vehicle violates the tint standards has probable cause to detain that vehicle and conduct a field comparison test. Refusing to submit to this field comparison test when requested by a full time salaried police officer is itself treated as a separate violation under the statute. This refusal provision exists independently from the underlying question of whether the tint itself was actually too dark.
Exceptions and Limitations
Medical Exemption Process
A person with a medical condition adversely affected by ultraviolet light may submit a statement from a physician to the commissioner requesting a tinting exemption. The commissioner forwards the certified statement to the medical review board for evaluation, and an approved exemption comes with a certificate or decal that must be displayed in the vehicle. A denied applicant may appeal to the chancery court of their county.
Vehicles Exempt Under Federal Regulations or Licensing
Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 lists several exemption categories beyond the medical process. These include vehicle models permitted by federal rules to carry tinted windows, government service vehicles used for law enforcement behind the front doors, vehicles registered in another state meeting that state’s rules, and vehicles owned by licensed private investigators under Tennessee Code Title 62 Chapter 26. None of these extend to front door windows.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception All Tint Colors Are Restricted
Several third party sources claim that Tennessee bans specific tint colors such as red, amber, or yellow. This guide could not confirm a color restriction within the actual text of Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107, which focuses on visible light transmittance percentages rather than color. Readers who see this claim elsewhere should treat it as unverified and confirm any color specific question directly with Tennessee authorities before installation.
Misconception The Fine Is Always the Full Court-Cost Amount
Some sources cite total costs well above $50 for a first tint violation, which can create confusion about what the law itself actually sets as a penalty. The statutory fine under Tennessee Code Section 55-9-107 is capped at $50 as part of the Class C misdemeanor classification. Additional court costs are assessed separately by the court and are not part of the fine amount written into the statute itself.
Tennessee residents who want to confirm exemption eligibility can review guidance from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security window tint exemption guidance, which confirms windshield tinting cannot be exempted under any circumstance. Laws and enforcement practices can change, so drivers should verify current requirements before installation. This article is general information, and readers can review the Disclaimer for details on its intended use.
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.