Loading
Loading
Oregon's general rule for side and rear windows: the film must transmit at least 50% of light and reflect 13% or less, and the window with film applied must transmit at least 35% in total; no tolerance is stated (ORS 815.221(2)). Darker film is allowed on the top six inches of the windshield, behind the driver of a qualifying multipurpose passenger vehicle, and with a qualifying physician's or optometrist's document.
Source: Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 815.221, 815.222; ORS 153.018, 153.019, 153.021 (violation fines). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Tinting material darker than the 50% film and 35% total limits of 815.221(2)(a) and (c) may be applied to the top six inches of the windshield, and tinting material may not be applied to any other portion of the windshield (815.221(3)). The statute sets no light-transmittance floor for that top six-inch band. |
| Front side windows | The tinting material must have a light transmittance of 50% or more and a light reflectance of 13% or less, and the total light transmittance through the window with the film applied must be 35% or more (815.221(2)). Both light-transmittance tests apply, so a film rated at least 50% can still fail on glass that is already dark. The statute states no measurement tolerance. Darker film is allowed only under the medical provision (815.221(5)). |
| Rear side windows | The same 50% film, 13% reflectance and 35% total limits as the front side windows apply (815.221(2)). A multipurpose passenger vehicle may have darker film on all windows behind the driver, but only if it has rearview mirrors on each side and the tinted windows meet the federal requirements for AS-3 glazing (815.221(4)). The statute defines a multipurpose passenger vehicle as a motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer persons and built on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation; it does not name SUVs or pickups. Separately, there are no light transmittance requirements for glazing materials applied to AS-3 type windows (815.221(7)). |
| Rear window | The same 50% film, 13% reflectance and 35% total limits as the side windows apply (815.221(2)). The same multipurpose-passenger-vehicle allowance covers windows behind the driver when the vehicle has rearview mirrors on each side and the tinted windows meet the AS-3 glazing requirements (815.221(4)), and the AS-3 type window provision in 815.221(7) also applies. |
| Reflectance and color | Film on side and rear windows must have a light reflectance of 13% or less (815.221(2)(b)). Mirror finish products; red, gold, yellow, amber or black material; and liquid tint that is brushed or sprayed on are not permitted (815.221(8)). |
| Installer certificate | Each person who installs tint in compliance with 815.221 must give the person who requested the installation a certificate stating the installer's name and address, the film's light transmittance and light reflectance, and that the total light transmittance through each tinted window is not less than 35%. The certificate must be kept in the vehicle and shown to a police officer who asks about the tint (815.221(9)-(10)). |
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).
ORS 815.221 governs tinting material applied to the windows of a motor vehicle, and the operating offense in ORS 815.222(2) reaches vehicles registered or required to be registered in Oregon. The side- and rear-window limits apply to every vehicle type, except that a multipurpose passenger vehicle with rearview mirrors on each side may have darker film on all windows behind the driver if the tinted windows meet the AS-3 glazing requirements (815.221(4)). There are no light transmittance requirements for glazing materials applied to AS-3 type windows (815.221(7)). The sections read state no measurement tolerance, and the 2026 session's table of amended ORS sections does not list 815.221 or 815.222.
Darker film may be applied to the side and rear windows of a vehicle registered in the name of a person (or that person's legal guardian) if the person has an affidavit, a prescription or a letter on the practitioner's letterhead, signed by a validly licensed physician or optometrist, stating that the person or another person in the household has a physical condition requiring window tinting with a lower light transmittance than the section allows (815.221(5)). The document must be kept in the vehicle and shown to a police officer who asks about the tint (815.221(6)). A court may also dismiss an operating citation, or reduce the fine, if the defendant establishes that such a condition existed when the citation was issued (815.222(5)).
Applying tint that does not comply with ORS 815.221, and operating a vehicle registered or required to be registered in Oregon with non-compliant tint, are each a Class B traffic violation (815.222(1)-(3)). Except as otherwise provided by law, the maximum fine for a Class B violation is $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a corporation (ORS 153.018). The presumptive fine is generally $265 plus any surcharge (ORS 153.019). The minimum fine is $135, which a court may waive if payment would be inconsistent with justice (ORS 153.021). A court may dismiss an operating citation, or reduce the fine, if the windows were modified to comply after the citation, shown for example by a removal or installation receipt or an officer's written statement (815.222(4)).
The film itself must have a light transmittance of 50% or more and a light reflectance of 13% or less, and the window with the film applied must let through at least 35% of light in total (ORS 815.221(2)). A film rated below 50% does not meet that rule, unless the medical allowance in ORS 815.221(5) applies. No tolerance is stated.
Yes, if it is a multipurpose passenger vehicle: a motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer persons and built on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation. Such a vehicle may have darker film on all windows behind the driver if it has rearview mirrors on each side and the tinted windows meet the federal AS-3 glazing requirements (ORS 815.221(4)). The statute does not name SUVs. Separately, there are no light transmittance requirements for glazing materials applied to AS-3 type windows (ORS 815.221(7)), and the medical allowance applies to any vehicle (ORS 815.221(5)).
Film on side and rear windows may reflect no more than 13% of light (ORS 815.221(2)(b)), and mirror finish products are not permitted (ORS 815.221(8)(a)). Red, gold, yellow, amber or black material and brushed or sprayed liquid tint are also not permitted (ORS 815.221(8)).
Only the top six inches, where darker film is allowed. Tinting material may not be applied to any other portion of the windshield (ORS 815.221(3)).
Yes. Darker film may go on the side and rear windows of a vehicle registered in the name of a person (or that person's legal guardian) if the person has an affidavit, prescription or letter on letterhead signed by a validly licensed physician or optometrist stating that the person or someone in the household has a physical condition requiring it. The document must be kept in the vehicle and shown to an officer who asks (ORS 815.221(5)-(6)).
Yes. The installer must give you a certificate with the installer's name and address, the film's light transmittance and reflectance, and a statement that the total light transmittance through each tinted window is not less than 35%. Keep it in the vehicle and show it to an officer who asks about the tint (ORS 815.221(9)-(10)).
Applying non-compliant tint, and operating a vehicle registered or required to be registered in Oregon with it, are each a Class B traffic violation (ORS 815.222). Except as otherwise provided by law, the presumptive fine is generally $265 plus any surcharge and the maximum for an individual is $1,000 (ORS 153.019, 153.018). A court may dismiss an operating citation, or reduce the fine, if the defendant shows the windows were modified to comply after the citation (ORS 815.222(4)).
Running a tint shop in Oregon? See shop software for Oregon.
This page summarizes Oregon 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.