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On a vehicle required to be registered in Mississippi, tinted windows are legal only with a windshield label certifying that all windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more, or a medical exemption certificate; no tolerance is stated. Listed vehicle classes, factory tint and some SUV, pickup and van rear windows are excepted. Windshield film is barred except an uppermost sun shield as federal law allows manufacturers; mirrored glazing is barred.
Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-59, as amended by Laws 2026, ch. 340 (SB 2453), effective July 1, 2026; SB 2453 (2026) bill history: approved by the Governor March 13, 2026; chapter 340; effective July 1, 2026; Miss. Code 63-7-59 (Justia copy of the 2025 code, before SB 2453 changed subsection (4)). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | No tinted film, glazing material or darkening material of any kind may be on the windshield, except material designed to replace or provide a sun shield in the uppermost area, as federal law authorizes vehicle manufacturers to install (subsection (1)). The statute gives no strip depth in inches and no percentage for that area. Glazing that causes a mirrored effect is also barred on the windshield (subsection (1)). The tint inspection label goes on the lower left corner of the windshield (subsection (6)). |
| Front side windows | A vehicle with any window tinted or darkened may be driven only if a label on the windshield certifies that all of its windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more, or the owner or operator has a certificate of medical exemption (subsection (2)). The figure is the light transmittance of the window, not a film rating, and the statute states no tolerance. The subsection (3)(b) exception for pickups, vans, SUVs and similar vehicles covers only windows behind the front two side windows, so it does not reach these windows. The vehicle classes listed in subsection (3)(a) and factory tint permitted by federal law (subsection (3)(c)) are outside subsection (2) entirely. |
| Rear side windows | The same requirement covers all windows of the vehicle: 28% light transmittance or more (subsection (2)(a)). On a pickup truck, van, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle, windows behind the front two side windows that were tinted after factory delivery are outside subsection (2) to the extent the window meets the minimum light transmittance that federal law or regulations authorize for that window and that vehicle before factory delivery (subsection (3)(b)). The statute states no percentage for that exception, and this page did not review the federal standard it points to. |
| Rear window | The rear window is one of the windows that must have a light transmittance of 28% or more (subsection (2)(a)). Subsection (3)(b) names the rear window of a pickup truck, van, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle, on the same federal-limit condition as the rear side windows. |
| Mirrored glazing | No glazing material that causes a mirrored effect may be on the front windshield, side wings or side or rear windows of a vehicle required to be registered in Mississippi and driven on its public roads (subsection (1)). The statute states no reflectance percentage. |
| Tint inspection label | The Department of Public Safety issues labels to official tint inspection stations for the windshield of every motor vehicle required to be inspected in Mississippi that has a window tinted or darkened after factory delivery (subsection (6)). Before affixing a label, the station must test that the window meets the light transmittance requirement of subsection (2), using methods or devices the Department approves and certifies at least annually, and it charges a $5 fee only when a test is actually performed. The label goes on the lower left corner of the windshield, must be legible from outside, shows the label registration number and a certification of compliance with Mississippi law, and is pressure-sensitive, self-destructive on removal and no larger than one inch square. No label may be issued for a vehicle whose windshield or windows were darkened except as the section authorizes (subsection (8)). |
| Installation | No one may install tinted film, darkening material, glazing material or any other material on the windshield or any window that would leave the vehicle in violation of subsection (2) (subsection (7)). Altering or reproducing a label or medical exemption certificate to mislead law enforcement officers or inspection stations, or knowingly using one except as the section authorizes, is unlawful (subsection (9)). |
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).
Subsections (1) and (2) apply to anyone driving a motor vehicle required to be registered in Mississippi on the state's public roads, streets or highways. Subsection (3) lifts only the subsection (2) requirement, not the windshield and mirrored-glazing rules in subsection (1). Subsection (3)(a) covers school buses, other buses used for public transportation, buses or vans owned or leased by a nonprofit incorporated in Mississippi, funeral home services vehicles, limousines owned or leased by a private or public entity, government-owned law enforcement or fire department vehicles, and volunteer fire department vehicles. Subsection (3)(c) covers any other vehicle whose windows were tinted or darkened before factory delivery as federal law or regulations permit. Subsection (3)(b) covers windows behind the front two side windows of pickup trucks, vans, motor homes, recreational vehicles, sport utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles, but only to the federal factory limit for that window, which this page does not state. Only Department of Public Safety officers, and municipal officers in municipalities of 2,000 or more people, enforce the section (subsection (12)).
Under subsection (4), as amended effective July 1, 2026 by SB 2453, a person diagnosed by a Mississippi-licensed physician or optometrist as having a physical condition or disease seriously aggravated by minimum exposure to sunlight may place tinted film or other darkening material that would otherwise violate the section on the windshield or windows of a vehicle the person owns or operates or regularly rides in as a passenger. Before that amendment, the subsection named only a physician. The vehicle must prominently display on the dashboard a certificate of medical exemption, on a form prepared by the Commissioner of Public Safety and signed by the person it is issued for. County tax collectors' offices issue the certificate free of charge. The applicant presents an affidavit signed by the applicant and signed and attested by the physician or optometrist stating the condition, plus proof that the applicant owns the vehicle or a signed affidavit from the owner of a vehicle operated for the applicant's use. The subsection states no minimum light transmittance for an exempt vehicle.
Installing material that puts a vehicle in violation of subsection (2) (subsection (7)), issuing a label contrary to subsection (8), or altering, reproducing or misusing a label or medical exemption certificate (subsection (9)) is punishable on conviction by a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months in the county jail, or both (subsection (10)). Any other violation of the section is punishable as provided in Miss. Code 63-7-7 (subsection (11)); that section was not read for this page, so its penalty is not stated here.
A vehicle required to be registered in Mississippi may be driven with tinted or darkened windows only if a label on the windshield certifies that all of its windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more, or the owner or operator has a certificate of medical exemption (Miss. Code 63-7-59(2)), unless a subsection (3) exception applies: certain vehicle classes, factory tint permitted by federal law, and some windows behind the front two on SUVs, pickups, vans and similar vehicles. The statute states no tolerance. Film on the windshield is barred except a sun shield in the uppermost area as federal law authorizes manufacturers to install, and glazing that causes a mirrored effect is barred on every window (subsection (1)).
Generally no. Subsection (2) requires all the windows to have a light transmittance of 28% or more, and 20% is below that. The exceptions are the vehicle classes in subsection (3)(a), factory tint permitted by federal law (subsection (3)(c)), a medical exemption certificate (subsection (4)), and windows behind the front two side windows of a pickup truck, van, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle to the extent they meet the minimum federal law authorizes for that window before factory delivery (subsection (3)(b)). The statute states no percentage for that last exception.
Possibly, behind the front two side windows only. Subsection (3)(b) lifts the 28% requirement for windows behind the front two side windows, including the rear window, of a pickup truck, van, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle tinted after factory delivery, to the extent the window meets the minimum light transmittance federal law or regulations authorize for that window and that vehicle before factory delivery. The statute gives no number, and this page did not review the federal standard, so it cannot say how dark a given vehicle may go. The front side windows have no such exception.
Yes. A vehicle with tinted or darkened windows needs a label on the windshield certifying that all its windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more, unless the owner or operator has a medical exemption certificate or a subsection (3) exception applies (subsection (2)). The Department of Public Safety issues the labels to official tint inspection stations, which test the windows first, charge $5 for the test, and affix the label to the lower left corner of the windshield (subsection (6)). The label is pressure-sensitive, self-destructive on removal and no larger than one inch square.
Only with material designed to replace or provide a sun shield in the uppermost area, as federal law authorizes vehicle manufacturers to install (subsection (1)). The statute gives no strip depth in inches and no percentage. A certificate of medical exemption under subsection (4) allows film on the windshield or windows that would otherwise violate the section.
Yes. A person diagnosed by a Mississippi-licensed physician or (since July 1, 2026) optometrist as having a condition or disease seriously aggravated by minimum exposure to sunlight may have otherwise-illegal tint on the windshield or windows of a vehicle the person owns, operates or regularly rides in (subsection (4)). The certificate, on a Commissioner of Public Safety form, must be prominently displayed on the dashboard; county tax collectors' offices issue it free on an affidavit signed by the applicant and attested by the physician or optometrist, with proof of ownership or the owner's affidavit.
Installing tint that puts a vehicle in violation of the 28% rule, issuing a label contrary to the section, or altering, reproducing or misusing a label or medical certificate is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months in the county jail, or both (subsection (10)). Other violations, such as driving with non-compliant tint, are punishable under Miss. Code 63-7-7 (subsection (11)), which this page did not review. Only Department of Public Safety officers and officers of municipalities of 2,000 or more people enforce the section (subsection (12)).
Running a tint shop in Mississippi? See shop software for Mississippi.
This page summarizes Mississippi 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.