A Guide to Auto Window Tinting Percentage Laws in Florida

Leo’s Touch Window Tinting Blogger • July 21, 2023

If you want to get auto window tinting in Tampa, then you can't miss this guide on 2023 window tinting laws and rules in Florida.

florida window tinting laws

Are you getting ready to have auto window tinting in Tampa, FL done? If so, make sure you understand the window tinting laws before scheduling window tinting in Tampa.


If you break these laws while having car window tinting in Tampa performed, you may be ticketed and have to pay over $100 in fines. You'll also have to fix your window tinting percentages accordingly to see to it that you aren't breaking any Florida auto window tinting laws moving forward. Otherwise, you could be subjected to further fines in the future.


There are so many benefits that'll come along with getting your car window tinting in Florida done. But you won't get to enjoy these benefits for long if you end up breaking Florida window tinting laws in the process.



Here are the laws you need to know prior to Googling "car window tinting near me" and choosing an auto window tinting company to assist you.

A Brief History of Florida Auto Window Tinting Laws

The Florida auto window tinting laws that are in place in 2023 aren't exactly new. They were first put into place way back in the early 1990s. Florida was one of the first states in the country to create window tinting laws for vehicles.


Just like other states, most of the Florida window tinting laws dictate how dark the tint put on a car's windows can be. They do this by listing the acceptable visible light transmission, or VLT, for each of the windows in a car.


VLT refers to the amount of light that auto window tint allows to pass through a car's windows. So if the VLT of car window tint is, say, 75%, that means that it'll let 75% of the light trying to get through a car's window pass through it.


The higher the VLT of window tint is, the more light it'll let pass through it. Keep this in mind as we get into discussing the Florida window tinting laws pertaining to window tinting percentages.

The Florida Window Tinting Percentage Laws

There isn't one specific window tinting percentage that you'll need to use for all the windows in your car when you're having them tinted in Florida. Almost every window in your car will have a different window tinting percentage that you'll be able to use on it.


This is a big part of what can make the Florida auto window tinting laws confusing for some people. In certain instances, they'll have some windows with tint on them that is acceptable in the eyes of the law and other windows that will have tint that's too dark and therefore breaking the law.


Let's take a look at the window tinting in Tampa that you'll legally be able to do on each of your car's windows.

Front Windshield

You might be under the impression that tinting your car's windshield would be off-limits in Florida. But you can have a portion of your windshield tinted if you would like.


If you choose to put tint on your windshield, you'll need to use non-reflective tint on it. You'll also need to make sure that you only tint your windshield above the AS-1 line that your auto manufacturer established.


Most of the time, this is going to mean that you'll be able to tint the top 4 inches of your windshield with non-reflective tint.

Front Side Windows

After you have your car's windshield tinted, you'll also want to have the front side windows tinted. This is the tint that's going to help cool your car off, make it more secure, and allow it to remain private.


The auto window tint that you place on your car's front side windows must allow for more than 28% of light to pass through it. This will make your front side windows fairly dark, but you won't be able to make them quite as dark as your rear side windows.

Rear Side Windows

While Florida auto window tinting laws are relatively strict when it comes to the front windshield and front side windows, you'll get a lot more freedom with the rear side windows. The tint on these windows will only have to allow 15% of light to pass through them.


This tint won't be quite as dark as the 5% tint that some people will put on their car's windows. But it'll still be very dark and will keep you within the limits of Florida auto window tinting laws.

Rear Windshield

Just like with the rear side windows, you'll have the freedom to make the tint on your car's rear windshield fairly dark. This tint will also only have to allow 15% of light to pass through your rear windshield.


If you choose to put 15% tint on both your rear side windows and your rear windshield, you'll notice a big difference in the way the interior of your car looks and feels. It'll be so much darker than it would be otherwise.

Window tinting Tampa

How to Avoid Breaking Florida Window Tinting Laws

Now that you know about the laws that'll impact you when you're having window tinting in Florida done to your car, you should be able to avoid breaking these laws. But just in case you're still a little confused by these laws, you can rest assured knowing you'll be able to steer clear of breaking them by working with the right company while having auto window tinting in Tampa performed.


Leo's Touch Window Tinting is here to help those who are having a tough time understanding the Florida auto window tinting laws. We'll make sure you're able to stay in accordance with these laws when you schedule car window tinting in Tampa through us.

Contact Us for Help With Auto Window Tinting in Florida

Do you want to take full advantage of the many benefits of doing window tinting in Tampa? Leo's Touch Window Tinting can help you choose the right tint for your car and discuss the Florida auto window tinting laws with you more.


Reach out to us today to arrange to have auto window tinting in Tampa done through our company.

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