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New Hampshire requires aftermarket tint on the windows beside the driver to have light transmittance of not less than 70 percent, and on windows behind the driver not less than 35 percent, with outside mirrors on both sides. Multipurpose passenger vehicle and pickup rear windows may follow the federal pre-market standard. Windshield tint is barred except a top strip up to 6 inches of at least 35 percent. No tolerance is stated.
Source: N.H. RSA 266:58-a; N.H. RSA 266:61-a (equipment waiver; medical tint permit, IX); N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2500 (after market tinting restriction and medical waiver); N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 3200 (inspection; Saf-C 3217.06 tinted glass, Saf-C 3206.04 tint meter); N.H. RSA 265:95 (obstruction to driver's view; windshield tint); N.H. RSA 625:9 (classification of offenses); N.H. RSA 651:2 (fines). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | It is unlawful to sell or inspect any motor vehicle in New Hampshire that has aftermarket tinting on the windshield, and to install it on, or drive, a vehicle registered in the state that has it (RSA 266:58-a (I)-(III)). The statute allows a strip no wider than 6 inches located at the very top of the windshield, with light transmittance of not less than 35 percent ((V); Saf-C 2502.02). A medical special permit can also allow windshield tint of not less than 35 percent ((III-a); RSA 266:61-a, IX). |
| Front side windows | Aftermarket tint on the windows to the left and right of the driver must have light transmittance of not less than 70 percent ((III)). The rules say such tint shall not be prohibited at 70 percent or more (Saf-C 2502.03), and an inspection station rejects a vehicle whose front-side aftermarket tint is below 70 percent unless a medical waiver has been obtained (Saf-C 3217.06(a)(1)). No tolerance is stated. The figure is the same for every vehicle type. |
| Rear side windows | Aftermarket tinted windows to the rear of the driver must have light transmittance of not less than 35 percent ((III); Saf-C 3217.06(a)(2)). No tolerance is stated. When aftermarket tint is applied to any window to the rear of the driver, outside rear view mirrors are required on both the left and right side of the vehicle ((III)). The statute's exception for the rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles and pickup trucks (see Rear window) uses the same term, rear windows, as the 35 percent limit, and the inspection rule applies 35 percent 'or as set forth in RSA 266:58-a' (Saf-C 3217.06(a)(2)). |
| Rear window | Not less than 35 percent, with the same outside-mirror requirement ((III)). On multipurpose passenger vehicles as defined in 49 C.F.R. 571.3 and on pickup trucks, aftermarket tinted rear windows may have whatever light transmittance 49 C.F.R. 571.205 allows for pre-market tinted rear windows ((III)). The statute states no percentage for that case and does not name SUVs. |
| Perforated film and wraps | Allowed only if there is a clear view from the interior to the exterior, light transmittance is not less than 35 percent measured from the interior, and they are not on the windshield or the windows left and right of the driver; on windows to the rear of the driver, outside rear view mirrors are needed on both sides (Saf-C 3217.06(b)). |
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).
RSA 266:58-a bars selling or inspecting any motor vehicle in New Hampshire with aftermarket windshield tint, and bars installing it on, or driving, a vehicle registered in the state that has it. The side and rear window limits in (III) apply to aftermarket tint, and the rules' restriction covers motor vehicles registered in New Hampshire (Saf-C 2502.01). The Saf-C 2500 rules define after market tinting as tint applied to the windshield or the windows to the left and right of the driver after original manufacture. The rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles (as defined in 49 C.F.R. 571.3) and pickup trucks may follow the federal pre-market standard in 49 C.F.R. 571.205 instead of the 35 percent figure; the statute does not name SUVs, so whether a particular SUV qualifies depends on that federal definition. Inspection stations that inspect vehicles with tinted glass must have a tint meter (Saf-C 3206.04(a)(7)).
A person who for medical reasons requires aftermarket tint on the windshield or on the windows to the left and right of the driver may apply for a special permit (RSA 266:58-a (III-a); RSA 266:61-a, IX). The permit only authorizes tint with light transmittance of not less than 35 percent (RSA 266:61-a, IX; Saf-C 2503.06). Under Saf-C 2503, the applicant files form DSMV 603 with the medical provider's section completed within the last 6 months; qualifying conditions include extreme intolerance to light, allergic reactions to the sun, melanoma, lupus, porphyria, or any other condition aggravated by exposure to the sun. The permit (form DSMV 473) is issued for no more than 2 vehicles, must stay in the vehicle at all times, and must be shown on request of a law enforcement officer or inspection station (Saf-C 2503.05, 2505.01, 2505.03). It lasts up to 2 years, or up to 4 years where a lasting medical necessity is documented (RSA 266:61-a, VII).
Any person who violates RSA 266:58-a is guilty of a violation ((VI)). A violation is not a crime (RSA 625:9, II(b)), and the fine imposed on an individual for a violation may not exceed $1,000 (RSA 651:2, IV(a)). RSA 265:95 also bars driving any vehicle with aftermarket windshield tint prohibited under RSA 266:58-a, and a violation of that section carries a $75 fine (265:95, IV). A vehicle with aftermarket tint that fails these limits is rejected at state inspection (Saf-C 3217.06(a)).
Aftermarket tint on the windows to the left and right of the driver must have light transmittance of not less than 70 percent, and on windows behind the driver not less than 35 percent, with outside rear view mirrors on both sides (RSA 266:58-a (III)). The rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles and pickup trucks may instead have whatever 49 C.F.R. 571.205 allows for pre-market tinted rear windows ((III)). Aftermarket windshield tint is barred except a strip no wider than 6 inches at the very top with at least 35 percent ((I)-(III), (V)), unless a medical special permit allows it (RSA 266:61-a, IX). No tolerance is stated.
Yes, if the tinted window still has light transmittance of not less than 70 percent (RSA 266:58-a (III); Saf-C 2502.03). Below 70 percent needs a medical special permit, which allows not less than 35 percent (RSA 266:61-a, IX). An inspection station rejects front-side aftermarket tint below 70 percent unless a medical waiver has been obtained (Saf-C 3217.06(a)(1)).
Only a strip no wider than 6 inches located at the very top of the windshield, with light transmittance of not less than 35 percent (RSA 266:58-a (V); Saf-C 2502.02). Otherwise it is unlawful to install aftermarket windshield tint on, or drive, a New Hampshire-registered vehicle that has it, or to sell or inspect any vehicle in the state that has it ((I)-(III)), unless a medical special permit allows it (RSA 266:61-a, IX).
The aftermarket tinted rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles, as defined in 49 C.F.R. 571.3, and of pickup trucks may have whatever light transmittance 49 C.F.R. 571.205 allows for pre-market tinted rear windows (RSA 266:58-a (III)). The statute states no percentage for them and does not name SUVs. The 70 percent front-side limit has no vehicle-class exception.
Yes. Where aftermarket tint is applied to windows to the rear of the driver, outside rear view mirrors are required on both the left and right side of the vehicle for the driver and a front seat passenger (RSA 266:58-a (III)).
Yes. A person who for medical reasons needs aftermarket tint on the windshield or the windows beside the driver may apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles for a special permit on form DSMV 603 (RSA 266:58-a (III-a); RSA 266:61-a, IX; Saf-C 2503.03). The permit allows tint with light transmittance of not less than 35 percent, covers no more than 2 vehicles, and must stay in the vehicle (Saf-C 2503.05, 2503.06, 2505.01).
Running a tint shop in New Hampshire? See shop software for New Hampshire.
This page summarizes New Hampshire 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.