Loading
Loading
Rhode Island bars film on the windshield and on the side and rear windows unless an exemption applies. Material with at least 70% total visible light transmittance, measured perpendicular to the glass, is exempt; on the rear window the vehicle also needs two outside mirrors. Trucks, multipurpose vehicles and other listed classes have no limit behind the driver if they have two outside mirrors meeting federal standards. No tolerance is stated.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-23.3-1 to 31-23.3-6; R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.3-4 (exemptions, including the 70% rule); R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.3-3 (installer label); R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.3-5 (penalties); 280-RICR-30-15-3, Official Manual for Vehicle Inspection, § 3.5.15 (glass). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | No sunscreen material, window application, or reflective or non-reflective film may cover or treat the front windshield unless an exemption applies (§ 31-23.3-2; § 31-23.3-4). Material with a total visible light transmittance of at least 70%, measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass, is exempt (§ 31-23.3-4(3)). Any transparent material is allowed in the uppermost six inches, provided it does not encroach on the driver's direct forward viewing area as defined in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (§ 31-23.3-4(4)). The DMV inspection manual accepts tint that is not below the AS-1 edge mark, or that does not exceed 6 inches from the top if the windshield has no AS-1 mark (280-RICR-30-15-3, § 3.5.15(G)(3)). |
| Front side windows | Sunscreen material on the side windows immediately to the right and left of the driver's seat needs a total visible light transmittance of at least 70%, measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass, unless a vehicle exemption applies (§ 31-23.3-2; § 31-23.3-4(3)). Transmittance is defined as the light passing through the product or material, including glazing (§ 31-23.3-1(5)). The text states no tolerance. The vehicle-class exemption covers only windows behind the driver (§ 31-23.3-4(6)), so it does not reach these windows. |
| Rear side windows | At least 70% total visible light transmittance on the side windows immediately behind the driver's seat and the front passenger seat (§ 31-23.3-4(3)). Sunscreen material on windows behind the driver is exempt in trucks, buses, trailers, mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles or limousines, provided the vehicle has two outside mirrors, one on each side, that meet federal standards and are adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway behind (§ 31-23.3-4(6)). The text states no limit for those windows. A multipurpose passenger vehicle is one designed to carry ten or fewer persons and built on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation (§ 31-23.3-1(2)). The statute does not name SUVs. The DMV inspection manual lists S.U.V.s among these vehicles, along with all vans and other vehicles built on a truck chassis (280-RICR-30-15-3, § 3.5.15(G)(1)). |
| Rear window | At least 70% total visible light transmittance, and only if the vehicle has two outside mirrors, one on each side, adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle (§ 31-23.3-4(3)). The class exemption for windows behind the driver of trucks, multipurpose vehicles and the other listed vehicles, with two outside mirrors meeting federal standards, also covers the rear window (§ 31-23.3-4(6)). |
| Reflectance | Section 31-23.3-2 lists reflective and non-reflective film together, and the 70% exemption applies to any nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application (§ 31-23.3-4(3)). The Division of Motor Vehicles is directed to set standards and tests to measure reflectance and light transmittance (§ 31-23.3-3(a)). Neither the chapter nor the inspection manual section read states a reflectance limit or a color rule. |
| Installer label | Anyone installing a sunscreen device on a motor vehicle must provide and affix a label no larger than 1½ square inches, showing the installer's name and the percentage of light transmittance. Facing the vehicle from the outside, the label goes in the lower left corner of the front window (§ 31-23.3-3(b)). The DMV inspection manual says the label goes on the front windshield near the inspection sticker (280-RICR-30-15-3, § 3.5.15(G)(2)). |
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).
Chapter 31-23.3 covers any vehicle registered or required to be registered in Rhode Island, except vehicles used in farm husbandry (§ 31-23.3-1(1)). It does not apply to vehicles manufactured with windshields and window glass that meet 49 CFR 571.205, vehicles owned or leased by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, vehicles not required to be registered in the state, or a vehicle registered and garaged in the state whose sole purpose is executive security, with written permission from the local police chief (§ 31-23.3-4(1), (2), (5), (8)). A window excludes the windshield, roof-mounted viewing devices and any viewing device under 150 square inches (§ 31-23.3-1(6)). An owner need not remove sunscreening material initially installed by the manufacturer and purchased before December 1, 1993 (§ 31-23.3-6).
A motor vehicle registered in Rhode Island to a person, or the person's legal guardian, is exempt if the person has an affidavit signed by a physician or optometrist licensed in the state, stating that a physical condition makes it necessary to equip the vehicle with a sunscreening device that may exceed federal standards. On application with the affidavit, the Division of Motor Vehicles issues a sticker to be applied to the driver's side window to identify the exemption (§ 31-23.3-4(7)). The text states no minimum light transmittance for an exempt vehicle.
A person or business that installs sunscreening material that does not comply with the chapter may be fined not more than $250 for each offense (§ 31-23.3-5(a)). The owner of a vehicle with sunscreening material installed in violation of the chapter may be fined not more than $250 (§ 31-23.3-5(b)). At safety inspection, glass or sunscreening material that fails the inspection regulation is a cause for rejection (280-RICR-30-15-3, § 3.5.15(G)(5)).
Sunscreen material needs a total visible light transmittance of at least 70%, measured perpendicular to the surface of the glass, on the windshield, the front side windows and the rear side windows. The rear window may carry it only if the vehicle has two outside mirrors (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.3-4(3)). The statute states no tolerance. Transparent material is also allowed in the top six inches of the windshield (§ 31-23.3-4(4)). Trucks, multipurpose vehicles and the other listed classes with two outside mirrors meeting federal standards have no limit behind the driver (§ 31-23.3-4(6)).
The windows behind the driver of trucks, buses, trailers, mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles and limousines are exempt if the vehicle has two outside mirrors, one on each side, that meet federal standards (§ 31-23.3-4(6)). The statute defines a multipurpose passenger vehicle as one designed to carry ten or fewer persons and built on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation (§ 31-23.3-1(2)). The statute does not name SUVs, but the DMV inspection manual lists S.U.V.s and all vans among these vehicles (280-RICR-30-15-3, § 3.5.15(G)(1)). The front side windows stay at 70%.
Transparent material is allowed in the uppermost six inches if it does not encroach on the driver's direct forward viewing area under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (§ 31-23.3-4(4)). Material with a total visible light transmittance of at least 70% is also exempt on the windshield (§ 31-23.3-4(3)).
Yes. The installer must affix a label of no more than 1½ square inches with the installer's name and the percentage of light transmittance, in the lower left corner of the front window as seen from outside the vehicle (§ 31-23.3-3(b)).
Yes. A vehicle registered in Rhode Island to a person, or the person's legal guardian, is exempt if the person has an affidavit from a Rhode Island-licensed physician or optometrist stating a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the vehicle with a sunscreening device which may exceed federal standards. The Division of Motor Vehicles issues a sticker for the driver's side window on application (§ 31-23.3-4(7)).
Up to $250 for each offense for an installer of non-compliant sunscreening material, and up to $250 for the owner of a vehicle with non-compliant material (§ 31-23.3-5).
Running a tint shop in Rhode Island? See shop software for Rhode Island.
This page summarizes Rhode Island 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.