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Utah bars operating a motor vehicle with a front side window that allows less than 35% light transmittance, with no more than a 5% variance observed by a peace officer metering it, or a windshield below 70% outside a top strip and lower-left corner. Windows behind the driver may use nontransparent material if the vehicle has rear-view mirrors on both sides. Material presenting a metallic or mirrored appearance is barred.
Source: Utah Code § 41-6a-1635; Utah Code § 76-3-205 (infraction conviction: fine, forfeiture, disqualification); Utah Code § 76-3-301 (fines of individuals); Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Window Tint Requirements (guidance). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | A person may not operate a motor vehicle with a windshield that allows less than 70% light transmittance (subsection (1)(a)). Nontransparent materials may be used along the top edge if they do not extend downward more than four inches from the top edge or beyond the AS-1 line, whichever is lowest (subsection (3)(a)). They may also be used in the lower left-hand corner if they extend no more than three inches to the right of the left edge or four inches above the bottom edge (subsection (3)(b)). Otherwise no sign, poster or other nontransparent material may be on the windshield, except a certificate or other paper required by law to be displayed and the vehicle identification number displayed or etched under department rules (subsection (1)(d)). |
| Front side windows | A person may not operate a motor vehicle with a front side window that allows less than 35% light transmittance, with no more than a 5% variance observed by a peace officer metering the light transmittance (subsection (1)(b)). The figure is stated as what the window allows, not as a rating of the film. The statute does not say how the variance is applied; the Utah Highway Patrol's guidance page says a 5% variance is allowed when observed by a peace officer metering the light. The same figure applies to every motor vehicle. |
| Rear side windows | Nontransparent materials may be used on rear side windows located behind the vehicle operator (subsection (3)(c)), so the statute sets no light transmittance minimum for them. A vehicle with tinting or nontransparent material on any window, other than the permitted windshield strip and corner, must have rear-view mirrors mounted on the left side and the right side (subsection (5)). |
| Rear window | Nontransparent materials may be used on the rear windows (subsection (3)(c)), with no light transmittance minimum stated. The mirror requirement in subsection (5) applies: rear-view mirrors on the left and right sides that reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear. |
| Reflectance and color | No windshield or window may be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or component that presents a metallic or mirrored appearance (subsection (1)(c)). The section states this as a ban on that appearance rather than as a reflectance percentage. Like the rest of subsection (1), it is subject to the exceptions in subsections (2) to (4), including windows that meet the federal window standards (subsection (4)). The Utah Highway Patrol's guidance treats metallic or mirrored tint as prohibited on any window. |
| Installers and sellers | A person may not have for sale, sell, offer for sale, install, cover, or treat a windshield or window in violation of the section (subsection (7)). Any person subject to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, dealers, importers and repair businesses, must comply with the federal standards on motor vehicle window tinting (subsection (8)). The section contains no installer label or sticker requirement. |
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).
Utah Code 41-6a-1635 governs any person operating a motor vehicle, subject to the exceptions in subsections (2), (3) and (4). It also bars selling, installing or treating a window in violation of the section (subsection (7)). It gives one front-side figure and one rear-window rule for every motor vehicle, and it does not separate cars from SUVs, pickups or vans. A windshield or other window is considered to comply with subsection (1) if it meets the federal statutes and regulations for motor vehicle window composition, covering, light transmittance and treatment (subsection (4)).
None found in the text read. Utah Code 41-6a-1635, the rest of the Traffic Code (Title 41, Chapter 6a) and the Utah Highway Patrol's window tint page contain no medical exemption for window tint. The section's own carve-outs are the windshield top-edge and lower-left-corner allowances (subsection (3)(a)-(b)), nontransparent material on rear windows and rear side windows behind the operator (subsection (3)(c)), and windows that meet the federal window standards (subsection (4)).
A violation of the section is an infraction (Utah Code 41-6a-1635(9)). A person convicted of an infraction may not be imprisoned but may be subject to a fine, forfeiture, disqualification, or any combination of them (76-3-205(1)). An individual's fine for an infraction conviction may not exceed $750, or any greater amount specifically authorized by statute (76-3-301(1)(e)-(f)). A peace officer may not request that the Motor Vehicle Division or Driver License Division revoke or suspend a vehicle registration or driver license for violations of the windshield or front side window limits (subsection (10)).
Front side windows must allow at least 35% light transmittance, with no more than a 5% variance observed by a peace officer metering it (Utah Code 41-6a-1635(1)(b)). The windshield must allow at least 70% (subsection (1)(a)), apart from a top-edge strip and a small lower-left corner area. Rear windows, including rear side windows behind the driver, may use nontransparent material (subsection (3)(c)). Material presenting a metallic or mirrored appearance is barred on any windshield or window (subsection (1)(c)). A vehicle with tinted windows needs rear-view mirrors on the left and right sides (subsection (5)).
It depends on the window. On the rear side windows behind the driver and on the rear window, yes. The statute allows nontransparent material there (subsection (3)(c)), provided the vehicle has rear-view mirrors on both sides and the film does not present a metallic or mirrored appearance. On the front side windows, no: 20% is below the 35% minimum, even allowing for the 5% variance the statute mentions for a peace officer's meter reading.
Behind the driver, every motor vehicle may use nontransparent material, so there is no separate SUV or truck rule to rely on (subsection (3)(c)). The 35% front side window minimum and the 70% windshield minimum apply to every motor vehicle. A window that meets the federal statutes and regulations for motor vehicle window composition, covering, light transmittance and treatment is considered to comply (subsection (4)).
Only in limited areas. Nontransparent material may be used along the top edge if it extends no more than four inches down from the top edge or beyond the AS-1 line, whichever is lowest. It may also be used in the lower left-hand corner, within three inches of the left edge and four inches of the bottom edge (subsection (3)(a)-(b)). Otherwise the windshield must allow at least 70% light transmittance (subsection (1)(a)).
None was found in the text read. Utah Code 41-6a-1635, the rest of the Traffic Code (Title 41, Chapter 6a) and the Utah Highway Patrol's window tint page contain no medical exemption process for window tint.
A violation is an infraction (subsection (9)). A person convicted of an infraction may not be imprisoned but may be fined (76-3-205(1)). An individual's fine for an infraction conviction may not exceed $750 unless a statute specifically authorizes more (76-3-301(1)(e)-(f)). A peace officer may not ask the Motor Vehicle Division or Driver License Division to revoke or suspend a registration or driver license for violating the windshield or front side window limits (subsection (10)). Selling, installing or treating a window in violation of the section is also barred (subsection (7)).
Running a tint shop in Utah? See shop software for Utah.
This page summarizes Utah 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.