Loading
Loading
For motor vehicles other than mini-vans, D.C. Code § 50-2207.02 requires the front windshield and front side windows to allow at least 70% light transmittance and the rear windshield and rear side windows at least 50%. Mini-vans need 55% in front and 35% in the rear. Windshield tint below 70% is allowed above the AS-1 line or within 5 inches of the top. The code states no measurement tolerance.
Source: D.C. Code § 50-2207.02; 18 DCMR § 734 (glazing materials; 734.8 applies § 50-2207.02); 18 DCMR § 413 (413.10, cited in the § 50-2207.02(h)(1) exemption); D.C. Code § 50-2201.02 (chapter definitions). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | The front windshield must allow at least 70% light transmittance on motor vehicles other than mini-vans (subsection (a)(1)(A)) and at least 55% on mini-vans (subsection (a)(2)(A)). Any motor vehicle may have a front windshield that allows less than 70% light transmittance above the AS-1 line, or within 5 inches from the top of the windshield (subsection (b)). The section states no measurement tolerance. |
| Front side windows | At least 70% light transmittance on motor vehicles other than mini-vans (subsection (a)(1)(A)); at least 55% on mini-vans (subsection (a)(2)(A)). The section does not name SUVs, pickups or multipurpose passenger vehicles, and neither it nor the chapter definitions in § 50-2201.02 define mini-van, so whether a particular vehicle counts as a mini-van is not settled by the text. The section states no measurement tolerance. |
| Rear side windows | At least 50% light transmittance on motor vehicles other than mini-vans (subsection (a)(1)(B)); at least 35% on mini-vans (subsection (a)(2)(B)). |
| Rear window | The rear windshield has the same figures as the rear side windows: at least 50% light transmittance on motor vehicles other than mini-vans (subsection (a)(1)(B)) and at least 35% on mini-vans (subsection (a)(2)(B)). |
| Installers | No person may install window tinting in the District of Columbia on a motor vehicle that is not exempt under subsection (h) if the tint would cause the vehicle to violate subsection (a) when operated or parked on District public streets (subsection (g)). |
| Inspection | The Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles must reject any vehicle appearing for inspection under Chapter 11 of Title 50 whose window tint violates subsection (a) or (b) (subsection (o)). |
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).
The limits apply to motor vehicles operated or parked on the public streets or spaces of the District of Columbia (subsection (a)). The section sets one set of figures for mini-vans and another for every other motor vehicle; it does not name SUVs or pickups. Under subsection (h) the section does not apply to limousines, ambulances, buses and hearses meeting 18 DCMR § 413.10, church-owned vehicles, all official government vehicles, vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase, or vehicles the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles exempts for the owner's medical condition. Subsection (i) says the subchapter does not modify federal window-tint law that applies to manufacturers, importers, dealers or motor vehicle repair businesses. 18 DCMR § 734.8 bars operating or parking a vehicle with tint in violation of § 50-2207.02.
Subsection (h)(5): the section does not apply to vehicles exempted by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles because the owner has a medical condition requiring windows that allow less light than subsection (a) permits. The text read does not describe how to apply. Other carve-outs in subsection (h): limousines, ambulances, buses and hearses meeting 18 DCMR § 413.10, church-owned vehicles, all official government vehicles, and vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase. The section does not mention diplomatic vehicles.
Operating or parking a vehicle in violation of subsection (a) brings a $50 citation (subsection (c)). Except where an officer orders immediate removal under subsection (f), the vehicle must also be inspected at an official District Inspection Station within 5 business days; if it is not brought into compliance by the end of that period, the owner shall be fined not more than $1,000 (subsection (d)), or may be fined not more than $5,000 after a second or subsequent finding (subsection (e)). An officer may order the vehicle removed immediately to an inspection station if the tint puts public health and safety at risk (subsection (f)). The (d)(2) and (e)(2) violations are adjudicated as moving violations (subsection (l)). The mailed notice of infraction must be answered within 30 calendar days of mailing, or a longer period the Director sets by regulation, or the registration certificate is suspended (subsections (k) and (n)). No points are assessed (subsection (p)).
For motor vehicles other than mini-vans, the front windshield and front side windows must allow at least 70% light transmittance and the rear windshield and rear side windows at least 50% (D.C. Code § 50-2207.02(a)(1)). For mini-vans the figures are 55% in front and 35% in the rear (subsection (a)(2)). The section states no measurement tolerance.
The section gives darker figures only to mini-vans: 35% on the rear windshield and rear side windows (subsection (a)(2)(B)). It does not name SUVs or pickups, and neither the section nor the chapter definitions in § 50-2201.02 define mini-van, so body style alone does not settle it. Other motor vehicles need at least 50% on those windows (subsection (a)(1)(B)). Separately, the section does not apply to vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase (subsection (h)(4)); the text does not say how that treats film added later.
The front windshield must allow at least 70% light transmittance (55% on mini-vans) (subsection (a)). A windshield may allow less than 70% above the AS-1 line, or within 5 inches from the top of the windshield (subsection (b)).
Yes. The section does not apply to vehicles exempted by the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles because the owner has a medical condition requiring windows that allow less light than subsection (a) permits (subsection (h)(5)). The text read does not describe how to apply.
A $50 citation (subsection (c)), plus a required inspection at an official District Inspection Station within 5 business days. If the vehicle is not brought into compliance in that period the owner shall be fined not more than $1,000, or may be fined not more than $5,000 after a second or subsequent finding (subsections (d) and (e)). No points are assessed (subsection (p)).
No. No person may install window tinting in the District of Columbia on a non-exempt motor vehicle if the tint would cause the vehicle to violate subsection (a) when operated or parked on District public streets (subsection (g)).
This page summarizes District of Columbia 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.