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Under Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.32, glass plus inside film must pass at least 50% of visible light on the vent and front side windows (35% on a qualifying medical recommendation) and 35% on the rear side windows and rear window. Officers allow a 3% tolerance, and the films may not be reflective. Windshield film may go only inside, outside the critical area and above the maker's marked line, none without that mark (Trans 305.34).
Source: Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.32 and 305.34; Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.34 (windshields); Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.02 (applicability); Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.03 and 305.04 (enforcement, penalty); Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.05 (definitions); Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.485 (sections applied to heavy trucks); Wis. Stat. § 110.075(7) (forfeiture). Summary last checked against these sources on September 28, 2026.
| Window | Rule |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Window tinting film or other nontransparent material may be applied to the inside of the windshield only on the portion that is both outside the critical area and above the horizontal line delineated by the manufacturer's mark, which the rule prints as "A" (underlined) or "A." (Trans 305.34(6)(c)). If the manufacturer put no such mark on the windshield, no tinting film may be attached. The critical area is the part of the windshield the driver normally uses to see ahead, including the areas swept by factory-installed wipers (Trans 305.05(43)). The rule states no inch or percentage figure. Windshields tinted by the glazing manufacturer as part of the original manufacturing process are allowed (Trans 305.34(6)(b)). |
| Front side windows | Tinting film applied to the inside of the vent and front side windows is allowed if the glazing and film together let at least 50% of the visible light through (Trans 305.32(4)(b)2), and officers allow a 3% tolerance when measuring (Trans 305.32(7)). The film may not be reflective. Windows tinted by the glazing manufacturer and installed in the original manufacturing process are also permitted, with no percentage stated (Trans 305.32(4)(b)1). On the recommendation of a physician or Christian Science practitioner treating the owner or an immediate family member, non-reflective film may bring these windows down to 35%, with a written statement carried in the vehicle (Trans 305.32(4)(b)3). |
| Rear side windows | Film applied to the inside is allowed if the glazing and film together let at least 35% of the visible light through (Trans 305.32(6)(b)), with the same 3% measuring tolerance (Trans 305.32(7)). The film may not be reflective. Glazing tinted by its manufacturer and installed in the original manufacturing process is permitted (Trans 305.32(6)(a)). The rule sets the same figure for automobiles, light trucks and motor homes (Trans 305.02(2)(a)). |
| Rear window | Film applied to the inside is allowed if the glazing and film together let at least 35% of the visible light through (Trans 305.32(5)(b)2), with the 3% measuring tolerance (Trans 305.32(7)); the film may not be reflective. Factory-tinted glazing is permitted (Trans 305.32(5)(b)1). If the rear window does not transmit at least 60% of the visible light, the vehicle must have an outside rearview mirror on the left and right side of the driver's compartment (Trans 305.32(5)(b)3). |
| Reflectance | Tinting films permitted on the vent and front side windows, the rear side windows and the rear window may not be reflective (Trans 305.32(4)(b)2-3, (5)(b)2, (6)(b)), including film applied under a medical recommendation. The rule states no reflectance percentage. |
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).
Trans 305.32 and 305.34 are in subchapter II of chapter Trans 305, which applies to automobiles, light trucks and motor homes (Trans 305.02(2)(a)). A light truck has a gross vehicle weight rating or actual gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less (Trans 305.05(25)), and both sections also apply to heavy trucks (Trans 305.485(2)(g), (i)). The figures are the same for every covered vehicle type; the rule does not mention SUVs or multipurpose passenger vehicles. The chapter does not apply to farm tractors and self-propelled farm implements, among other listed vehicles (Trans 305.02(1)). Glazing tinted by its manufacturer in the original manufacturing process is permitted without a stated percentage.
On the recommendation of a physician or Christian Science practitioner treating the owner or an immediate family member of the owner, film may be applied inside the vent and front side windows if glazing plus film passes at least 35% of the visible light; the film may not be reflective (Trans 305.32(4)(b)3). A written statement from the treating physician or practitioner must be carried in the vehicle at all times. It must identify the patient, the medical condition, whether the condition is temporary or permanent, and the vehicle's make, model, year and VIN. The film must be removed when the vehicle is sold, when the person no longer lives in the owner's household, or when a temporary condition has ended. An immediate family member is a spouse, child, stepchild, foster child or other dependent living in the owner's household (Trans 305.05(23)). The provision covers the vent and front side windows only.
Unless a statute provides a different penalty, a violation of chapter Trans 305 is punishable as prescribed in Wis. Stat. § 110.075(7) (Trans 305.04). That subsection provides a forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200 for violating § 110.075, § 110.06, chapter 347 or rules issued under them, unless otherwise provided by statute. No person may operate, or allow to be operated, on Wisconsin highways a vehicle subject to the chapter that does not conform to it (Trans 305.03).
Film applied inside the vent and front side windows must leave at least 50% of visible light passing through the glass and film combined (Wis. Admin. Code Trans 305.32(4)(b)2), or 35% on a qualifying physician's or Christian Science practitioner's recommendation (Trans 305.32(4)(b)3). Film on the rear side windows and rear window must leave at least 35% (Trans 305.32(5)(b)2, (6)(b)). Officers allow a 3% tolerance when measuring (Trans 305.32(7)), and the films may not be reflective.
Not with aftermarket film. Subchapter II, which contains Trans 305.32, applies to automobiles, light trucks and motor homes (Trans 305.02(2)(a)), and Trans 305.32 also applies to heavy trucks (Trans 305.485(2)(g)). For all of them, glass plus inside film on the rear side windows and rear window must pass at least 35% (Trans 305.32(5)(b)2, (6)(b)); the rule does not mention SUVs or multipurpose passenger vehicles. Glazing tinted by its manufacturer and installed as part of the original manufacturing process is permitted with no percentage stated (Trans 305.32(5)(b)1, (6)(a)).
Only on the inside, on the portion that is both outside the critical area and above the horizontal line delineated by the manufacturer's mark (Trans 305.34(6)(c)). If the manufacturer put no such mark on the windshield, no tinting film may be attached. The rule states no inch or percentage figure. Windshields tinted by the glazing manufacturer in the original manufacturing process are allowed (Trans 305.34(6)(b)).
No. Tinting films permitted on the vent, front side, rear side and rear windows may not be reflective (Trans 305.32(4)(b)2-3, (5)(b)2, (6)(b)).
Yes, if the rear window does not transmit at least 60% of the visible light striking it. The vehicle must then have an outside rearview mirror on the left and right side of the driver's compartment (Trans 305.32(5)(b)3).
Yes, for the vent and front side windows. On the recommendation of a physician or Christian Science practitioner treating the owner or an immediate family member, film may leave as little as 35% of visible light through the glass and film, and it may not be reflective (Trans 305.32(4)(b)3). A written statement identifying the patient, condition and vehicle must be carried in the vehicle at all times. The film must be removed when the vehicle is sold, when the person no longer lives in the owner's household, or when a temporary condition has ended.
Unless a statute provides a different penalty, a violation of chapter Trans 305 is punishable under Wis. Stat. § 110.075(7) (Trans 305.04), which provides a forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $200.
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This page summarizes Wisconsin 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.