California has some of the strictest window tint laws in the country. Under Cal. Veh. Code § 26708, front side windows must let through at least 70% of visible light (70% VLT), and only the top 4 inches of the windshield may be tinted. Rear side windows and the rear window have no VLT restriction as long as the vehicle has functioning dual outside mirrors. Red, blue, amber, and reflective/mirror tints are prohibited on any window. A medical exemption is available under § 26708.5 with a signed physician's letter. Fines for a tint violation are typically a "fix-it ticket" (about $25 base) but can reach much higher with penalty assessments if uncorrected.
| Governing statute | Cal. Veh. Code § 26708; medical exemption § 26708.5 |
|---|---|
| Front side windows | 70% VLT minimum (very light tint only) |
| Windshield | Only the top 4 inches may be tinted |
| Rear side windows | No VLT restriction with dual outside mirrors |
| Rear window | No VLT restriction with dual outside mirrors |
| Reflective/mirror tint | Prohibited on any window |
| Colored tints | Red, blue, amber prohibited |
| Medical exemption | Available with signed physician's letter — § 26708.5 |
| Base fine | About $25 for first "fix-it" ticket; up to $197 with penalty assessments |
| Enforcement | California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement |
Governing statute (§ 26708)
California's window tint law is codified at Cal. Veh. Code § 26708. The core prohibition is against any material that "obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows" — with specific tolerances for tint that stays within statutory limits.
The statute is one of the strictest in the United States. Unlike most states, California does not permit any tint film on the front side windows below 70% VLT, and it does not permit windshield tint below the top 4 inches — even for medical reasons (unless a specific medical exemption is granted).
Front side windows — 70% VLT
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is the percentage of visible light that passes through the window and any tint film. A window with 70% VLT lets 70% of light through and blocks 30%. Most factory tint on front side windows already lets through more than 70% of light, so no additional film is legal in most cases.
Aftermarket tint films typically start at 50% VLT and go darker (35%, 20%, 5% / "limo tint"). Any of these on the front side windows is a violation in California. The measurement is taken through the window as a whole, including the manufacturer's original glass tint plus any aftermarket film.
Windshield tint — top 4 inches only
Only the top 4 inches of the windshield may be tinted (the "eyebrow" strip). Anything below that — even a light tint or ceramic film that is nearly clear — is a violation. There is no VLT specification for the top strip because it is above the driver's typical line of sight.
Rear side windows and rear window
California places no VLT restriction on the rear side windows (behind the driver) or the rear window, provided the vehicle has two functioning outside rearview mirrors that give the driver a view of the road behind. This is the main window-tint freedom California drivers have — the rear can be as dark as the driver wants, including full "limo tint" (5% VLT or lower).
Prohibited tints (colored, reflective)
Regardless of VLT, certain tint types are prohibited on any window in California:
- Reflective / mirror tint — no film that reflects more than a standard clear glass window. Even on the rear windows, mirror tint is prohibited.
- Red tint — prohibited on all windows.
- Blue tint — prohibited on all windows.
- Amber tint — prohibited on all windows.
The prohibition is meant to prevent visual confusion with law enforcement and emergency vehicle lighting, and to preserve the driver's ability to see traffic signals accurately.
Medical exemption (§ 26708.5)
Cal. Veh. Code § 26708.5 allows a driver or passenger with a qualifying medical condition (such as lupus, photosensitivity from medication, or certain skin conditions) to have additional tint installed. Requirements:
- A signed letter from a licensed physician or surgeon stating that the tint is medically necessary.
- The letter must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
- The exemption applies only to the specific vehicle regularly used by the person named in the letter.
The exemption does not automatically permit windshield tint below the top 4 inches — that remains prohibited even with medical documentation in most cases.
Fines and enforcement
A tint violation is typically issued as a "correctable" infraction — commonly called a "fix-it ticket". The base fine is about $25, but with penalty assessments and court fees, the actual out-of-pocket cost is usually around $100–$200.
Fix-it ticket procedure
- Officer issues the citation with a correctable box checked.
- The driver has approximately 30 days to remove the offending tint.
- An officer or CHP inspector verifies the correction and signs off on the citation.
- The driver returns the signed citation to the court and pays a reduced administrative fee (typically $25).
If the driver does not correct the tint or fails to appear, the full fine plus penalty assessments becomes due and a failure-to-appear charge may be added.
Repeat offenders or those who install prohibited tint after a prior citation face harsher treatment. Businesses that install illegal tint may face additional charges — installing prohibited tint on a customer's vehicle is a violation of Bus. & Prof. Code § 17203 (unfair competition), which the customer or the state can enforce.
Commercial vehicles & ridesharing
Commercial vehicles (including rideshare vehicles operating for hire) are subject to the same window tint rules as private vehicles. Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft typically require drivers to comply with all state vehicle laws, including tint rules, as a condition of being on the platform.
Out-of-state vehicles
California recognizes out-of-state vehicle registration, and out-of-state visitors are generally not cited for tint that would be illegal in California but is legal in their home state — provided the vehicle has current out-of-state registration and the driver is not a California resident. New California residents have 20 days after moving in to register their vehicle in California and, at that point, must bring the vehicle into compliance with California's tint laws.
State agency contact
California Department of Motor Vehicles & California Highway Patrol
DMV handles registration; CHP is the primary enforcement agency
Compared to neighboring states
Related California laws
Related comparisons
Related guides
Recent changes
- 2017AB 1303 clarified the medical exemption process under § 26708.5, requiring the physician's letter to be carried in the vehicle at all times.
- 2012SB 1476 added specific exemptions for materials meeting federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 (windshield safety glass).
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Sources
Primary sources
- Cal. Veh. Code § 26708. The primary window tint statute. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=26708
- Cal. Veh. Code § 26708.5. Medical exemption provisions. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=26708.5
- California DMV Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures. Official DMV guidance. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/
- California Highway Patrol. Primary enforcement agency. https://www.chp.ca.gov/