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Texas calls for the windows to the left and right of the driver, measured with the glass and any aftermarket tint, to pass 25% or more light and reflect 25% or less. Side windows behind the driver are exempt. The rear window is exempt if outside mirrors on both sides show the highway 200 feet or more to the rear. Windshield tint is limited to a top strip at 25% or more light transmission.
Source: Tex. Transp. Code § 547.613 and 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 21.3; Tex. Transp. Code § 547.609 (required label); Tex. Transp. Code § 547.001 (definitions); Tex. Transp. Code § 547.004 (general equipment offenses); Tex. Transp. Code § 542.401 (general penalty); Tex. Transp. Code § 644.001 (commercial motor vehicle); Tex. Transp. Code § 548.001 (commercial motor vehicle, intrastate); 37 Tex. Admin. Code § 21.3 (Cornell LII copy of the rule); 49 CFR § 393.60 (federal glazing rule for commercial motor vehicles); 49 CFR § 390.5 (federal commercial motor vehicle definition); Texas DPS window tinting standards page. Summary last checked against these sources on September 19, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Front side windows | Aftermarket tint on a wing vent or a window to the left or right of the driver is within the statute's exception when the window and tint together have 25% or more light transmission and 25% or less luminous reflectance. DPS's rule applies both limits over the entire surface area of the window and measures them with the original glass. Subsection (d) of the statute says DPS may determine that such a window is exempt if either figure varies from the standard by no more than three percent. The statute does not say whether that means three percentage points or three percent of the standard, and DPS's rule and web page state 25% with no tolerance. |
| Rear side windows | Exempt from the tint offense in Subsection (a). Section 547.613(b)(2-a) exempts a side window to the rear of the vehicle operator, and DPS's rule states no minimum light transmission for these windows. |
| Rear window | Exempt from the tint offense in Subsection (a) if the vehicle has an outside mirror on each side that reflects to the driver a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear (Section 547.613(b)(3)). If the vehicle does not have a qualifying mirror on both sides, DPS's rule and web page call for the rear window to have 25% or more light transmission and 25% or less luminous reflectance, measured with the glass; the rule text also allows a darker shade band at the topmost part of the rear window. The statute's only exception written specifically for tint on the rear window is the mirror one (the general Subsection (b) exceptions, such as factory glass, also apply to it), and this page does not settle how the DPS requirement fits with it. |
| Windshield | The statute's exception covers a windshield sunscreening device that, in combination with the windshield, has 25% or more light transmission and 25% or less luminous reflectance, is not red, blue or amber, and does not extend below the AS-1 line or more than five inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top. DPS's rule words the lower limit as the AS-1 line, or five inches from the top where the windshield has no AS-1 mark. Where the AS-1 line sits more than five inches below the top, the two wordings differ and this page does not settle which controls; the statute's wording is the stricter one. DPS says clear, untinted UV film is allowed anywhere on the windshield. |
| Reflectance and color | Luminous reflectance of 25% or less applies to the windshield and to the windows left and right of the driver, measured with the glass, and, under DPS's rule, to the rear window when the vehicle does not have a qualifying mirror on both sides. Both the statute and DPS's rule say a windshield device may not be red, blue or amber. The statute's side-window exception lists no color condition. |
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).
These limits govern film and similar sunscreening material added to a vehicle's glass, and readings include the original glass. Section 547.613(b) lists exceptions to the tint offense in Subsection (a), including factory-tinted glass, vehicles not registered in Texas, vehicles used regularly to carry passengers for a fee under a local license or permit (DPS's page lists taxis, limousines and buses), vehicles maintained and used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement, and commercial motor vehicles. Federal rule 49 CFR 393.60(d) separately requires at least 70% light transmittance for tint on a commercial motor vehicle's windshield and the windows immediately right and left of the driver.
Texas has a statutory defense and a DPS rule exception. Section 547.613(e) is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) if the defendant or a passenger in the vehicle was required for a medical reason to be shielded from direct rays of the sun. Under 37 TAC 21.3(e), a vehicle operated by or regularly used to carry a person whose medical condition makes them susceptible to harm from sunlight or bright artificial light may have tint darker than 25% on every window except the windshield, if the driver or an occupant carries a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist while on a highway. The statement must identify the driver or occupant with reasonable specificity and say that, in the physician's or optometrist's professional opinion, the tint is necessary to safeguard that person's health. The rule does not extend darker tint to the windshield. DPS's web page describes the exception for the two front windows, while the rule text covers all windows except the windshield. DPS says it stopped issuing window tint exemption certificates on January 1, 2019, that the signed statement serves as proof of the exception, and that the statement must be kept in the vehicle and shown to an officer at a traffic stop.
Section 547.613(a) makes two misdemeanors: operating a vehicle with material on the windshield or side or rear window that obstructs or reduces the operator's clear view, and, for any person including an installer or manufacturer, placing transparent material that alters color or reduces light transmission on those windows, except where a Subsection (b) exception applies. The section states no fine for those offenses, and the general penalty for a Rules of the Road misdemeanor with no other penalty is a fine of $1 to $200 (Section 542.401). A person in the business of applying tint who applies it without a label that complies with Section 547.609 between the material and the glass faces a fine of up to $1,000 (Subsection (a-1)). Subsection (b) lists exceptions to Subsection (a) and does not mention the label offense, and the medical defense in Subsection (e) is written for Subsection (a) offenses; this page does not settle whether a label is required on windows or vehicles that Subsection (b) exempts, or whether the medical defense reaches the label offense. Section 547.004(c) lets a court dismiss a charge brought under that general equipment section if the defect is fixed before the first court appearance and a fee of up to $10 is paid; this page does not settle whether a tint citation is brought under that section.
Texas calls for the windows to the left and right of the driver, measured with the glass and any aftermarket tint, to pass 25% or more light and reflect 25% or less. Side windows behind the driver are exempt. The rear window is exempt if the vehicle has an outside mirror on each side that reflects a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear. Windshield tint has separate limits. Factory glass and certain vehicles are also exempt: vehicles not registered in Texas, vehicles maintained and used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement, vehicles used regularly to carry passengers for a fee under a local license or permit, and commercial motor vehicles.
Not for aftermarket tint on the windows to the left and right of the driver. The statute's exception needs 25% or more light transmission in combination with the window, and 20% is below that; the reading is taken with the glass in place, so the film's own rating alone is not the test. The statute lets DPS treat a window as exempt if it varies from the standard by no more than three percent, and on either reading of that phrase it would not reach 20%. Factory-tinted glass, the exempt vehicle types listed in the scope section, and the medical defense or rule exception are treated differently.
Mirrors are the statute's rear-window exception. Section 547.613(b)(3) exempts the rear window if the vehicle has an outside mirror on each side that reflects to the driver a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear. If the vehicle does not have such a mirror on both sides, DPS's rule (37 TAC 21.3(c)(4)(B)) and web page call for the rear window to keep 25% or more light transmission and 25% or less luminous reflectance. The statute itself has no 25% option for the rear window, and this page does not settle how the two sources fit together.
Texas has a statutory defense and a DPS rule exception. Section 547.613(e) is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) if the defendant or a passenger was required for a medical reason to be shielded from direct rays of the sun. Under 37 TAC 21.3(e), a vehicle used by or regularly carrying a person whose medical condition makes them susceptible to harm from sunlight or bright artificial light may have tint darker than 25% on every window except the windshield if the driver or an occupant carries a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist while on a highway. DPS's web page describes the exception for the two front windows, while the rule text covers all windows except the windshield. DPS says it stopped issuing exemption certificates on January 1, 2019.
Not for the front side windows or the rear window: Section 547.613 sets those rules the same way whatever the body style. Side windows behind the driver are exempt on every vehicle and, separately, on a multipurpose vehicle, which Section 547.001(5) defines 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 use. Commercial motor vehicles as defined in Section 644.001 are exempt from Subsection (a), and whether a van or truck counts depends on that definition, not on body style. For intrastate operation it points to Section 548.001 (in general, more than 26,000 pounds, more than 15 passengers including the driver, or placarded hazardous materials); for interstate operation it points to the federal definition in 49 CFR 390.5, which includes vehicles used in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle or combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more. Federal rule 49 CFR 393.60(d) separately requires at least 70% light transmittance for tint on a commercial motor vehicle's windshield and the windows immediately right and left of the driver, and says that limit does not apply to other windows; this page does not settle which vehicles that rule reaches.
Under the statute's terms, yes. Section 547.613(a)(2) makes it a misdemeanor for any person, expressly including an installer or manufacturer, to place transparent material that alters color or reduces light transmission on a windshield or side or rear window unless a Subsection (b) exception applies. A person in the business of applying tint who does not install a label complying with Section 547.609 between the material and the glass faces a fine of up to $1,000; Subsection (b) does not mention that label offense, and this page does not settle whether it applies to windows or vehicles that Subsection (b) exempts. DPS's rule also bars an installer or business from applying a device that does not comply. DPS says it requires only one label, at the rearmost bottom corner of the driver's side window; the statute words the label duty per window, 'as applicable', and this page does not settle how many labels satisfy it.
Running a tint shop in Texas? See shop software for Texas.
This page summarizes Texas 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 required safety equipment inoperative, 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.