Wyoming window tint laws set a 28% VLT minimum for front side, back side, and rear windows under Wyoming Statutes Section 31-5-962. Windshield tint is limited to the area above the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches when unmarked. A first conviction can bring a fine up to $200 under Section 31-5-1201. This guide covers reflectivity, exempt vehicles, and medical exemptions from Wyoming Statutes Section 31-5-962, Sunscreening Devices.
Key Terms Defined
Wyoming’s tint statute uses specific technical language that shapes how the rules apply on the road. VLT stands for visible light transmission, the percentage of light that passes through the combined glass and film layer. A higher VLT number means a lighter tint, while a lower number means a darker tint. This distinction matters because readers often assume the opposite when comparing product labels to the legal minimum.
The AS-1 line is a factory-etched marking near the top of a windshield showing how far down manufacturers designed shading to legally extend. Luminous reflectance describes how mirror-like a tint appears from outside the vehicle, a separate measurement from darkness. A sunscreening device is the statute’s formal term for any tint film applied to reduce sun exposure through vehicle glass.
What the Law Says
Wyoming Statutes Section 31-5-962 sets uniform requirements for how dark and reflective a vehicle’s windows can be. The rule structure separates the windshield from the side and rear windows, and it adds a separate limit on how reflective any tint may look from outside the car. These rules apply statewide and do not vary by county, though enforcement discretion can differ between local law enforcement agencies across Wyoming.
Windshield Tint Rule
Tint on a windshield is only legal above the AS-1 line, the factory-marked line manufacturers place near the top of the glass. When a windshield has no visible AS-1 line, the law generally allows nonreflective tint only within the top 5 inches of the windshield. The remainder of the windshield below that line or measurement must stay clear of aftermarket film under the statute’s sunscreening device provisions.
Front Side Window Rule
Front side windows, meaning the windows to the immediate left and right of the driver and front passenger, must allow more than 28% VLT. This means at least 28% of visible light has to pass through the combined glass and film. A film that brings total light transmission below that threshold on a front side window does not meet the statutory minimum under Section 31-5-962.
Back Side and Rear Window Rule
Back side windows and the rear window must also allow more than 28% VLT under the same statute. Wyoming Statutes Section 31-5-962 subsections d and e set this floor uniformly, without a separate darker allowance written into the text for SUVs or vans. Readers should treat the 28% figure as the general rule for these windows unless a specific vehicle type falls under one of the statute’s listed exemptions.
Reflectivity Limit
Beyond darkness, the statute also restricts how reflective or mirror-like a tint film can look from outside the vehicle. Front side, back side, and rear windows must use nonreflective tint under the luminous reflectance provisions in Section 31-5-962. A film can meet the 28% VLT darkness threshold and still fail the law if its outward finish carries a mirrored or metallic appearance.
Color Restrictions
The statute text reviewed for this guide does not set out a separate list of banned tint colors, unlike some other states that prohibit specific shades such as red or amber. Choosing a standard gray, black, or charcoal film remains the more conventional approach among vehicle owners in Wyoming. Readers should still confirm current guidance with an installer, since interpretation of color-related equipment rules can shift with local enforcement practice.
Who It Applies To
Wyoming’s sunscreening device statute applies broadly to vehicles registered and operated within the state, covering passenger cars along with several other vehicle classifications named in the code. A multipurpose passenger vehicle, defined as a vehicle built on a truck chassis or with off-road features carrying ten people or fewer, falls under these rules unless a specific exemption applies. Most everyday drivers fall under this uniform 28% VLT standard.
Requirements or Elements
Compliance under Section 31-5-962 requires meeting both the VLT floor and the nonreflective standard at the same time, not just one or the other. A vehicle owner installing aftermarket film needs the finished product to allow more than 28% of light through covered windows while also avoiding a mirrored outward finish. Meeting only the darkness requirement without addressing reflectivity does not satisfy the full statutory standard.
Side Mirror Requirement When Rear Windows Are Tinted
When a vehicle’s rear window is tinted, proper outward visibility becomes a safety consideration tied to how the vehicle is equipped. Vehicles with tinted rear windows typically need functioning dual side mirrors so the driver retains rearward visibility without relying on the rear window alone. This requirement connects directly to the broader equipment standards found elsewhere in Wyoming’s motor vehicle code.
Penalties or Consequences
A violation of Wyoming’s window tint statute is generally treated as a misdemeanor under Wyoming Statutes Section 31-5-1201, which sets the penalty tiers for equipment violations under this article. A first conviction may result in a fine of up to $200. A second conviction may result in a fine of up to $300, reflecting an increased penalty for repeat violations of the same equipment standard.
A third or subsequent conviction may result in a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both under Section 31-5-1201. These figures represent the maximum penalty tiers written into the statute rather than a guaranteed outcome for every citation. Actual penalties can depend on the specific circumstances of a stop and the discretion of the court handling the case.
Exceptions and Limitations
Wyoming’s tint statute includes several carve-outs that change how the general 28% VLT and nonreflective rules apply to certain vehicles and older installations. These exceptions are specific rather than broad, so a vehicle owner should confirm whether a particular exemption actually applies rather than assuming general coverage. The three main categories are exempt vehicle types, a grandfather clause for older tint, and a medical exemption pathway.
Vehicles Exempt from Rear-Window Rules
The statute exempts rear windows of certain vehicle types from the standard side and rear window rule, specifically trucks, buses, motor homes, ambulances, limousines, and multipurpose passenger vehicles as defined in the code. Motorcycle windshields are separately addressed under the statute’s exemption language as well. This exemption list is specific to these named categories rather than a general allowance for all SUVs or larger vehicles.
Pre-1996 Grandfather Clause
Vehicles with sunscreening devices installed before July 1, 1996 fall under a grandfather clause that sets a different floor than the current 28% standard. Under this provision, tint installed before that date must still allow more than 13% VLT rather than meeting the modern 28% threshold. This clause applies only to installations that predate the cutoff date and does not extend to newer film applied to an older vehicle.
Medical Exemption Certificate Process
Wyoming allows a medical exemption pathway for individuals with light-sensitive conditions that require darker tint than the standard permits. This process generally involves a physician or optometrist providing a signed statement supporting the medical necessity, which then supports an exemption certificate through the appropriate state process. A self-reported condition without this documented physician or optometrist statement typically does not satisfy the exemption requirement on its own.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that SUVs and vans may use any darkness of tint on their back side and rear windows. The statute sets a uniform 28% VLT floor under subsections d and e for covered vehicles generally, with darker allowances limited to the specific exempt vehicle types named in the code. Another common error is assuming higher VLT numbers mean darker tint, when the opposite is true.
Readers also sometimes assume a self-written note about a medical condition satisfies the medical exemption requirement. The process typically requires a licensed physician or optometrist’s signed statement rather than a personal explanation offered during a stop. Laws and enforcement may change, so checking official state sources for current rules remains useful, and reviewing the Disclaimer can clarify how this general information relates to any individual situation.
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.