Understanding Legal Window Tinting Laws in CT

What Constitutes Legal Window Tint in CT?

"A basic definition of what is legal window tinting in CT is that if it is lighter than 35% it is likely to pass inspection at at DMV location in Southern Connecticut. If it is darker than that, it may not pass inspection.
To be more specific, any person driving a motor vehicle equipped with windows or windshields other than a motorcycle "who fails to comply with the provisions of this section …may be issued a summons for an infraction and fined thirty-five dollars." (C.G.S. 14-110 (c)) As far as the precise number of how dark is darker than 35% or lighter than 35%, according to Conn. Gen. Stat . § 14-110(e), "The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall provide specifications and criteria to be used by inspectors in determining whether the window treatment on motor vehicles not required to undergo safety inspection is illegally dark."
As far as where window tinting comes in regarding safety inspections, "The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54. . . concerning standards for window tinting to be used in conjunction with the state safety inspection program established in accordance with section 14-16." (C.G.S. 14-96g (b)(5)) The main takeaway from this is that you should be cautious of having window tinting that is illegal in Connecticut, after all, the rules and regulations are well defined."

Connecticut’s Tint Laws for Vehicles

Connecticut lawmakers have generally taken a conservative approach when it comes to window tinting restrictions for vehicles. The Connecticut window tint law does not allow for most types of tinting.
Automobiles, vans, buses and SUV’s are all restricted by Connecticut tint laws. A few exceptions however, do exist for the windows of these vehicles. Connecticut state law allows only certain types of tinting materials to be used at specific shades of darkness.
For the front windshield, only a non-reflective tint is permitted. While there are no restrictions on the amount of visible light allowed through the glass, the tint cannot be darker than 35% VLT for any part of the windshield. For the front side windows, within the tinted band at the top, occupants can use any type of tinting material allowed by Connecticut state law provided it is no darker than 35% VLT. The back side windows of the vehicle are restricted to a maximum of 35% VLT while the back windows are permitted tinting darkness of up to 20% VLT. All tinting darkness must be applied to the inside of the window glass and never allowed on the outside of the window. When all is said and done, the standard allowable limit that any motor vehicle driver in Connecticut can have on their vehicles is 35% VLT. Connecticut tint law prohibits any tint application greater than 35% VLT for any part of the vehicle except in some rare cases for drivers of medical transport vehicles carrying children who are diagnosed with a light sensitivity condition.

Advantages of Legal Tint

Using window tint on your car can have a number of benefits, as long as you’re using it legally. For one thing, it can reduce the need for sun shades while also keeping the sun’s heat out of your car, meaning you spend less money on air conditioning. In addition, it can protect the inside of your vehicle, from the upholstery to the dashboard, against UV rays that otherwise would cause them to fade after a certain number of years. This is especially beneficial if you live in Connecticut, with our intense summer sun.
However, if you have darkly tinted windows, you are going to have a lot of trouble seeing out — and the police are keeping an eye out for this. Even factory-tinted windows can be tinted too dark, and this means you could be pulled over, stopped and have to sign a ticket for having darkly tinted windows. Some police departments, in fact, have window tint meters and will test the tint of your car.
If you can avoid that situation at all costs, you will. It’s generally best to adhere to any and all tint laws to avoid getting into unnecessary trouble.

Consequences for Illegal Tinting in Connecticut

If you are pulled over by law enforcement and found to have illegal tint, one of the following penalties may be imposed, based on title 14-110 of the Connecticut General Statute: Briefly , fines range between $75.00 to $150.00 for a first violation; between $150.00 and $300.00 for a second violation; and between $300.00 and $500.00 for third or subsequent violations. It is also important to note that Connecticut has banned all tint on windshield and/or window glass for commercial vehicles – even those with letter or number group licenses.

How To Keep Your Tint Legal

To ensure your tint is as dark as your vehicle preferences, it is upmost important to make sure that your window tint complies with Connecticut laws. By consulting with a reputable installer, you can be assured your tint will be installed properly, and meet all requirements.
Connecticut requires that window tint installed on the front windshield have no more than 70% VLT. The rear windows and back windows can have no more than 32% VLT. The windshield and window tint your installer provides must be accompanied by a certificate or sticker indicating the tint is compliant with Connecticut law. In Connecticut the tint produced by the film itself must comply with all of the requirements of a certified manufacturer as well as meet certain criteria, and self-certified tint is not legal. Since tint manufacturers are required to test their film and provide it with a sticker identifying its visual light transmittance levels, most reputable installers we work with are certified and also are therefore able to sell window tint that has these stickers attached.

CT Tint Law FAQs

FAQs About CT Tint Laws
What is windshield tint?
Windshield tint is an aftermarket product applied to new or used vehicle windows that darkens the glass.
What is a legal tint in Connecticut?
Connecticut law allows for tint on the rear windows, provided no more than 32% light transmittance is allowed (See Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-99a). Connecticut statute specifies that no reflected light is permitted. In other words, all windows must allow 32% light through every window, except the windshield.
What is illegal tint in Connecticut?
It is illegal to have less than 32% Transmittance light on the windshield or any of the side windows that are tinted after the vehicle has been manufactured to 50% light of the original window is not considered tinted under Connecticut law. If the window(s) has been tinted at all, then it is illegal if 32% light is not allowed to pass through the tinted area.
What does the 32% number mean?
The 32% number represents the ratio of light that is able to pass through the tinted window. For example, 32% window tint allows 32% of the light to pass through the tinted window. The remaining percentage is the amount of tint that blocks light. In other words, if the tint blocks 32% of light, then 68% of light is allowed to pass through.
What happens if I have illegal window tint on my car or truck?
The police cannot pull you over for having, around , or front window tint. The only time police may stop you for tint is if you have illegal tint on your front windshield. This is usually caught on an unmarked patrol car during night traffic stops. If you have a legal window tint installed correctly there is no reason for probable cause to stop your vehicle. If an officer suspects your tint is too dark, he or she can use the "Bead" method of testing. Bead testing involves "spraying" a "bead" in an effort to see whether it passes through your tint. If it doesn’t, the officer will most likely issue an infraction and the fine. That results in you having to visit the DMV to pay the fine and have your vehicle’s tint tested. A description of the "bead" test by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles: "The method of testing the amount of visible light transmitted through or reflected by any sun screening material applied to a windshield." If you receive a ticket you can show up at the DMV and be tested in your tint, this will optimize your chances of a successful test. If you are successful in the test, you will receive a $75 rebate check in the mail within 30 days.
How do I know if I have illegal tint?
A simple test that you can conduct yourself consists of holding a knife directly to the tint, and see if it can penetrate through to the window. If it can, then the tint is likely illegal and you should consider removing it.
How do I remove the tint?
To remove the tint from your vehicle’s window, spray a hot, soapy solution on the glass. Using a clean blade, pick at the corner of the tint to remove it from the glass. Once it is off, apply the hot soapy solution to the tint to help peel it off.