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Arkansas: on 1994 and later models, aftermarket tint on side windows beside and immediately behind the driver must result in at least 25% net light transmission, and on the rearmost window at least 10%. Trucks, buses, trailers, motor homes and multiple purpose passenger vehicles may go to 10% on side windows immediately behind the driver. No tolerance is stated. Except in medical and police cases, windshield tint is limited to a top eyebrow strip.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 27-37-306; § 27-37-307; § 27-37-304. Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Aftermarket tint on the glass immediately in front of the operator is limited to a strip on the top edge, known in the industry as an eyebrow, that may not extend more than 5 inches down from the top center of the windshield (27-37-306(b)(1)). The section states no light-transmission figure for the strip. Separately, no substance or material other than rearview mirrors and decals required by law may be attached to the windshield more than 4½ inches above its bottom if it obstructs the operator's view or the safe operation of the vehicle (27-37-304(a)(1)(A)). After August 16, 2013, a motorist with a physician's certification may have windshield tint of at least 50% net light transmission (27-37-306(e)(2)(C)), and law enforcement vehicle windshields may be tinted to at least 50% (27-37-306(i)). |
| Front side windows | On 1994 and later model vehicles, aftermarket tint on the side windows and side wings immediately to the right or left of the driver must result in at least 25% net light transmission (27-37-306(b)(2)). The section states no measurement tolerance, and the truck and multiple purpose passenger vehicle exception does not reach these windows. Separately, material attached to either front door window, other than material attached by the manufacturer, is barred if it obstructs the operator's view or the safe operation of the vehicle (27-37-304(a)(1)(B)). |
| Rear side windows | On 1994 and later model vehicles, aftermarket tint on the side windows and side wings to the right or left immediately behind the driver must result in at least 25% net light transmission (27-37-306(b)(2)). On any truck, bus, trailer, motor home or multiple purpose passenger vehicle, the side windows immediately behind the driver may go to at least 10% net light transmission. The sections read (27-37-302 and 27-37-304 to 27-37-307) do not name SUVs or define multiple purpose passenger vehicle, so this page cannot say whether a particular SUV qualifies. Subsection (b) does not separately mention side windows farther back than those immediately behind the driver. |
| Rear window | On 1994 and later model vehicles, the rearmost window may be covered with aftermarket tint that results in at least 10% net light transmission (27-37-306(b)(3)). Subsection (b) gives one rearmost-window figure for every vehicle type. |
| Striping, lettering and reflectance | A vehicle may not be operated on the public highways if aftermarket tinting material together with striping material has been applied to any of its windows, or if letters or logos larger than one-quarter inch have been applied to its windows (27-37-306(a)). The sections read (27-37-302 and 27-37-304 to 27-37-307) state no reflectance limit and do not mention mirrored film. |
| Installer label | Any vehicle operated on Arkansas roads with aftermarket tinting material on any glass must have a label attached to the front glass immediately to the operator's left, giving the name and phone number of the installing company and affirming that all tinting on the vehicle conforms to the section (27-37-306(c)). The medical provision repeats the label requirement, stating that the label comes from the window tinting installer (27-37-306(e)(3)). |
| Chauffeur-driven for-hire sedans | A sedan licensed as an automobile for hire under 27-14-601(a)(2) that accommodates at least three rear passengers and is chauffeur-driven (not a taxicab or van) may have tint of at least 15% net light transmission on the rear passenger doors, at least 10% on the rear windshield, an eyebrow strip of at least 10% on the top edge of the front windshield, and at least 25% on the front passenger doors (27-37-307(a)-(b)). A sedan in compliance with 27-37-307 is exempt from 27-37-306 (27-37-307(c)). When the sedan is sold to someone not in the business of renting automobiles for hire and is no longer expected to be used for hire, the owner must remove that tinting and return the sedan to compliance with 27-37-306, unless the tint is in the glass itself rather than a film (27-37-307(d)). |
VLT (visible light transmission) is the percentage of visible light that passes through a window or film; a higher number means lighter tint. Most state limits are measured on the finished window (glass and film together). Where a rule is stated for the film itself, the table says so. Some states also limit reflectance, the share of light bounced back off the surface (a mirror-like look).
Section 27-37-306 governs aftermarket tint on vehicles operated on Arkansas public highways. Its side and rear window figures are stated for 1994 and later model vehicles; under subsection (h) the section also applies to 1993 and older models that were not tinted under Acts 1991, No. 563 or No. 1043, and to older models tinted under those Acts once their ownership is transferred. It does not apply to motorists operating vehicles registered in other states that have enacted legislation regulating window shading ((d)), or to vehicles used exclusively or primarily to transport dead human bodies ((f)). A chauffeur-driven for-hire sedan in compliance with 27-37-307 is exempt from 27-37-306. The separate obstruction rule in 27-37-304 states that it does not prohibit tinting of newly manufactured automobiles that comply with federal law (27-37-304(b)).
A motorist diagnosed by a physician with a disease or disorder, including albinism or lupus, for which the physician determines an exemption is in the motorist's best interest, is exempt, and must carry the physician's certification in the vehicle (27-37-306(e)(1)(A)); installing tinted glass in that motorist's vehicle is also exempt ((e)(1)(B)). That subdivision applies to vehicles tinted before August 16, 2013, and proof of the tint date and the installing company's name and phone number must be carried in the vehicle ((e)(1)(C)). After August 16, 2013, a motorist with a physician's certification may have at least 20% net light transmission on the side windows and side wings beside and immediately behind the driver, at least 10% on the rearmost window, and at least 50% on the front windshield ((e)(2)), with the installer's label on the front glass to the operator's left ((e)(3)). The certification must be carried in the vehicle and is valid for three years from issue ((e)(4)-(5)). When the vehicle is transferred, the transferor must disclose that the tint is not within legal limits without a medical waiver, or remove it ((e)(6)).
An installer who installs tint in violation of 27-37-306, or any person operating a motor vehicle with tint or other aftermarket alteration of the glass contrary to the section, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor (27-37-306(g)). A violation of 27-37-304 (material on the windshield or front door windows that obstructs the view) is a Class C misdemeanor (27-37-304(c)). The sections read do not state a fine or jail term for these classes.
On 1994 and later model vehicles, aftermarket tint on the side windows and side wings beside the driver and immediately behind the driver must result in at least 25% net light transmission, and the rearmost window may go to 10% (Ark. Code 27-37-306(b)(2)-(3)). On trucks, buses, trailers, motor homes and multiple purpose passenger vehicles, the side windows immediately behind the driver may go to 10%. Apart from the medical and law enforcement provisions, the windshield may have only an eyebrow strip on the top edge, no more than 5 inches down from the top center ((b)(1)). The section states no measurement tolerance.
The side windows immediately behind the driver on any truck, bus, trailer, motor home or multiple purpose passenger vehicle may be tinted to at least 10% net light transmission instead of 25% (27-37-306(b)(2)). The sections read (27-37-302 and 27-37-304 to 27-37-307) do not name SUVs or define multiple purpose passenger vehicle, so body style alone does not settle whether a given SUV qualifies. The rearmost window is 10% on every vehicle type, and the front side windows stay at 25%.
Yes. Any vehicle operated on Arkansas roads with aftermarket tinting material on any glass must have a label attached to the front glass immediately to the operator's left, with the name and phone number of the installing company and a statement that all tinting on the vehicle conforms to the section (27-37-306(c)).
Yes. With a physician's certification that darker tint is in the motorist's best interest, tint applied after August 16, 2013 may go to at least 20% on the side windows beside and immediately behind the driver, 10% on the rearmost window and 50% on the front windshield (27-37-306(e)(2)). The certification must be carried in the vehicle and is valid for three years ((e)(4)-(5)), and the installer's label is still required ((e)(3)). For vehicles tinted before that date, a diagnosed motorist carrying the certification is exempt from the section ((e)(1)).
For most vehicles, only a strip along the top edge, known as an eyebrow, that extends no more than 5 inches down from the top center of the windshield (27-37-306(b)(1)); the section gives no light-transmission figure for that strip. A motorist with a physician's certification may have windshield tint of at least 50% net light transmission ((e)(2)(C)), and law enforcement vehicle windshields may be tinted to at least 50% ((i)).
Installing tint in violation of 27-37-306, or operating a motor vehicle with tint contrary to it, is a Class B misdemeanor (27-37-306(g)). The section read does not state the fine or jail term for that class.
Section 27-37-306 does not apply to motorists operating vehicles registered in other states that have enacted legislation regulating window shading ((d)). Its side and rear window figures are stated for 1994 and later model vehicles, but subsection (h) also applies the section to 1993 and older models not tinted under the repealed 1991 Acts, and to older models tinted under those Acts once ownership is transferred.
Running a tint shop in Arkansas? See shop software for Arkansas.
This page summarizes Arkansas statute and regulation text for general information and is not legal advice. It covers passenger vehicles with aftermarket film (film added after the vehicle left the factory) and includes SUV, van and truck rules where the state sets different ones. Some vehicle types, such as limousines, buses, commercial and law-enforcement vehicles, and factory glass are treated differently in some states, and whether a vehicle registered in another state is covered depends on the state; see “Who this covers” above. Federal glazing rules (FMVSS 205, 49 CFR 571.205) apply separately from state law, and 49 U.S.C. 30122 bars manufacturers, distributors, dealers, rental companies and motor vehicle repair businesses from knowingly making inoperative any part of a device or element of design installed to comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard, so installers should check both. Laws change and enforcement varies; confirm current requirements with the state before tinting. Before tinting, ask the installer to measure your glass and confirm the finished window will meet the limit; afterward, ask for a reading on a light-transmission meter and keep it.