Get Up to Date With Florida Tint Laws Before You Tint

Are you considering tinting your car windows in Florida? Then make sure you know what's legal. So, keep reading to learn more about Florida tint laws.

Florida has one of the highest car ownership rates in the nation, and we know that Floridian drivers work hard to be safe and compliant drivers. One of the most cost-effective ways to improve your driving experience is to tint your windows, but it's important to stay within legal limits.

One easy way to stay within legal limits is to work with a reputable automotive window tint company like Solar Shade. Still, knowledge is power, and it's worth looking at Florida tint laws to get a sense of what's allowed.

Today, we're going to provide an overview of window tinting laws in Florida and what the related terminology means. 



Read on for our authoritative guide to vehicle window tinting laws in the sunshine state.

VLT and Reflection: What Do These Terms Mean?

There's often a lot of confusion about what VLT (visible light transmission) and reflectivity mean when discussing tinting car windows. 

People often assume that VLT refers to tint darkness, but this is not the case. VLT refers to the amount, calculated as a percentage, of light that can filter through your window tinting and windows. That means that if we're talking about a 25% VLT, we're talking about a window film that allows 25% of light to get through it, rather than a window film that is 25% darker than the average window.

Reflection is a little bit more straightforward. Reflection is also calculated as a percentage and refers to how much light a window film reflects. That means that if we're talking about 25% reflectivity, we're talking about a window film that reflects 25% of the light that hits it.

VLT Laws: Sedans

Florida is very specific about legal VLT limits, assigning a legal limit based on the type of vehicle you're modifying and the windows you're modifying. The legal VLT limit for sedans is:

• more than 28% VLT for the front side windows
• more than 15% VLT for the back side windows
• more than 15% VLT for the rear window

You may also install a non-reflective window film on your windshield, but only above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.

VLT Laws: SUVs and Vans

Now, let's look at the specific tint laws that apply to SUVs and vans in Florida. These larger vehicles have lower VLT minimums for the back side and rear windows. The legal VLT limit for SUVs and vans is:

• more than 28% VLT for the front side windows
• more than 6% VLT for the back side windows
• more than 6% VLT for the rear window

Once again, you may install a non-reflective window film on your SUV or van windshield, but only above the manufacturer's AS-1 line. 

Reflection Laws: Sedans, SUVs, and Vans

Window tint reflection is designed to reduce glare and incoming heat by reflecting sunlight and UV rays, rather than letting them in. Reflection laws do not vary between sedans, SUVs, and vans the way that VLT laws do.

As we mentioned earlier, your windshield window tint cannot be reflective. The same goes for your rear window tint. Your front side windows can be up to 25% reflective and your front side windows can be up to 35% reflective. 

Additional Florida Tint Laws

The primary thing car owners need to know about window tint laws in their state is the VLT and reflectivity limits. However, there are a few additional Florida tint laws that you should know about to ensure that your window tint is compliant. 

An important one is that Florida does not allow any colored tint. In some states, you may be able to acquire window tint that has a noticeable color to it, like blue or yellow. This is never permissible in the state of Florida.

Another additional Florida tint law is that you must place the sticker that identifies your legal tinting levels inside your driver's side door jamb. This sticker will come in useful at home and when you cross state lines, where tinting laws may be different.

Florida Tint Laws and Medical Exceptions

Can you ever, under any circumstance, exceed the legal window tint limits in the state of Florida? The answer is yes, but only if you 1) have specific medical conditions and 2) file the proper paperwork with the Division of Motorist Services.

The medical conditions that will qualify drivers for this medical exception include:

• Vitiligo
• Xeroderma pigmentosum
• Dermatomyositis
• Lupus
• Albinism

Some other autoimmune diseases will qualify you for a medical exception. Contact your local Division of Motorist Services department if your medical condition isn't on this list but may still qualify. 

What Happens if You Exceed Florida Tint Laws?

What happens if you exceed tint darkness regulations or reflectivity regulations? Are there any real consequences to worry about? The answer is yes, and it's not worth the risk.

For starters, Florida police officers are allowed to pull you over if they believe that your window tinting is in violation of state laws. If they find this to be true, they can slap you with a ticket for a nonmoving traffic violation.

Getting pulled over can impact your driver's insurance rates, but illegal window tinting can raise your premiums even if you haven't gotten in trouble for it. If your car insurance provider discovers that you have disobeyed vehicle window tinting laws, they may consider this a disregard for automotive safety and raise your premiums.

Get Automotive Window Tint for a Better Driver Experience

Car window tint is a great way to get more out of your car and your driver experience. The key is to ensure that you stay within Florida tint laws for your safety and to avoid getting into legal or financial trouble.

Are you ready to upgrade your car with window tinting? Do you want to work with a company that always stays within window tinting laws in Florida? Contact us to set up a window tint appointment today with Solar Shade Window Tint.