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Hawaii allows film on front side windows and wing vents only if, together with the glass, it leaves at least 35% light transmittance, plus or minus 6 percent. Rear windows, and side windows behind the driver on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks and buses, are exempt when the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides. Windshield film is limited to the top edge, and to transparent material meeting FMVSS 205 on the AS-1 area.
Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-21.5 (as amended by L 2025, c 129, § 2); 49 C.F.R. § 571.205 (FMVSS 205, Glazing materials), referenced in subsections (a), (b) and (e). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Transparent film may run along the top edge of the windshield as long as it does not encroach on the AS-1 portion or, if no AS-1 marking can be found in the left or right upper margin, goes no lower than four inches below the top, measured from the middle of the bottom edge of the top moulding ((e)(6)). Transparent material on the AS-1 portion is exempt only if it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 ((e)(11)). The statute itself states no windshield percentage. Signs, stickers or other materials are allowed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner farthest from the driver or a five-inch square in the lower corner nearest the driver ((e)(3)). |
| Front side windows | Sun screening devices on front side wing vents and windows ((e)(7)), and on front side windows and wing windows adjacent to the driver and necessary for driving ((e)(8)), are exempt only if, when used with the glazing material, they have a light transmittance of no less than 35 percent plus or minus 6 percent. The statute draws no vehicle-class distinction for the front side windows. |
| Rear side windows | Side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks or buses are exempt from the section, provided the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides ((e)(9)). The clause does not name sport utility vehicles, and the text read does not define its vehicle terms. The text read gives no other exemption for film on the rear side windows of a vehicle outside that list ((a)(2)). |
| Rear window | Rear windows, including the rear windshield, on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks, buses or other motor vehicles are exempt from the section, provided the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides ((e)(9)). Without mirrors on both sides, the exemption does not apply, and the text read gives no other exemption for film on the rear window ((a)(2)). |
| Reflectance and color | Subsection (b) bars installing or using a sun screening device that does not meet FMVSS 205 "and" has mirrored or high reflective finishes producing a red, yellow, amber or blue appearance as viewed from outside the vehicle ((b)(1)-(2)). The statute sets no numeric reflectance limit; the department of transportation may adopt rules setting criteria or visual references for enforcing the tint color and reflectivity prohibitions ((g)). |
| Installer duties | The installer must give the vehicle owner a certificate at installation certifying that the device complies with law, and failing to issue it is a violation of the section. The certificate must be stored in the vehicle at all times, and its absence at the time of a citation is prima facie evidence of installer noncompliance. An installer's receipt in the possession of the person in the vehicle at the time of a citation is prima facie evidence of the installer's identity. An installer of a noncompliant device must reinstall compliant devices free of charge or reimburse the owner for installation by another installer ((f)(2) and the paragraph following it). |
| Traffic stops | Notwithstanding the exemptions in subsection (e), drivers and passengers of vehicles with applied tint must fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer, unless unable to because of physical disability or mechanical failure, provided the driver communicates or cooperates through other reasonably available means. Failure to comply may be cited as a noncriminal traffic infraction ((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).
The section covers anyone who operates, permits or causes the operation of, or parks a motor vehicle on a public highway, and anyone who installs or uses a sun screening device with a vehicle's glazing ((a), (b)). The safety inspection under section 286-26 includes a test of the glazing and any sun screening devices ((c)). The section does not apply to rearview mirrors, adjustable nontransparent sun visors mounted forward of the side windows and not attached to the glass, rear trunk lid handles or hinges, window wipers and wiper motors, or privacy drapes, curtains or blinds inside motor homes ((e)). The rear side window exemption names sedans, vans, minivans, trucks and buses, and the text read does not say whether a sport utility vehicle counts as one of these.
No medical exemption process was found in the text of § 291-21.5 as read; the section does not mention medical conditions. The only disability reference is in subsection (d), which excuses people unable to roll down their windows at a traffic stop because of physical disability or mechanical failure; it does not permit darker tint.
The vehicle owner is fined no less than $300 and no more than $550 for each separate offense ((f)(1)); an installer (person or business entity) of a noncompliant device is fined no less than $700 and no more than $1,200 for each separate offense and must reinstall compliant devices free of charge or reimburse the owner ((f)(2)). Any violator is liable for removal of the noncompliant device ((b)). Failing to roll down windows at a traffic stop may be cited as a noncriminal traffic infraction ((d)).
Film on the front side windows and wing vents must, together with the glass, leave at least 35% light transmittance, plus or minus 6 percent (HRS § 291-21.5(e)(7)-(8)). Rear windows on any motor vehicle, and side windows behind the driver on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks and buses, are exempt if the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides ((e)(9)). Windshield film is limited to the top edge above the AS-1 line or, with no AS-1 marking, the top four inches ((e)(6)), plus transparent material on the AS-1 portion that meets FMVSS 205 ((e)(11)).
The statute sets no percentage for them. Rear windows, including the rear windshield, and side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks or buses are exempt from the section, provided the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides ((e)(9)). The side-window clause does not name sport utility vehicles, and the text read does not define its vehicle terms or give any other exemption for film on those windows ((a)(2)).
Tinted film is allowed only along the top edge: transparent film may not encroach on the windshield's AS-1 portion or, if no AS-1 marking can be found, go lower than four inches below the top ((e)(6)). Material on the AS-1 portion itself is exempt only if it is transparent and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 ((e)(11)); the Hawaii statute does not state a percentage for this.
Subsection (b) bars installing or using a sun screening device that does not meet FMVSS 205 "and" has mirrored or high reflective finishes producing a red, yellow, amber or blue appearance from outside the vehicle ((b)(1)-(2)). The statute gives no numeric reflectance limit, and the department of transportation may adopt rules on enforcing the tint color and reflectivity prohibitions ((g)).
Yes. The installer must issue the owner a certificate at installation certifying that the device complies with law, and the certificate must be stored in the vehicle at all times. If it is absent at the time of a citation, that is prima facie evidence of installer noncompliance ((f)).
Yes. Notwithstanding the subsection (e) exemptions, drivers and passengers of vehicles with applied tint must fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer, unless unable to because of physical disability or mechanical failure, as long as the driver communicates or cooperates through other reasonably available means. Failure to comply may be cited as a noncriminal traffic infraction ((d)).
The vehicle owner faces a fine of $300 to $550 for each separate offense ((f)(1)), and the installer faces $700 to $1,200 for each separate offense and must reinstall compliant film free of charge or reimburse the owner ((f)(2)). Any violator is also liable for removing the noncompliant film ((b)).
No medical exemption process was found in the text of § 291-21.5 as read. Subsection (d) excuses people who cannot roll down their windows because of physical disability or mechanical failure, but it does not allow darker tint.
Running a tint shop in Hawaii? See shop software for Hawaii.
This page summarizes Hawaii 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.