The Darkest Legal Tint in Tennessee Explained

Tennessee Window Tint Laws

In Tennessee, the laws concerning window tint are no different than in many other states across the nation. The state has established a legal limit that’s relatively standard—the darkest legal tint in Tennessee is 20% on a standard passenger vehicle or SUV. However, tint laws can get a bit more complicated depending on the type of passenger vehicle in question. For instance, some states may allow for a few extra percentage points on a van or bus when compared to a regular car, but Tennessee does not, its all the same. For most passenger cars, SUVs, and vans in Tennessee, an individual should not install window tint that is darker than 20%. Of course, there are allowances made for the front window when it comes to the darkest legal window tint Tennessee will allow. Currently, Tennessee is one of several states that have implemented a relatively recent law pertaining to the tint of front windows. Now, Tennessee has officially revised its tint laws so that front window tint is not allowed, whereas it was before. The bottom line is that Tennessee Windows must allow a full 100% of light in. While some states will permit darker tint levels on the front windows, Tennessee indicates that this is not an acceptable practice across the board. Consequently, of all of the windows, the only ones that you can legally place tint on are the sides and rear windows . On these side and rear windows, a person can legally install tint that is no darker than 20%. For multipurpose vehicles such as SUVs, vans and trucks, there are some exceptions to the lower window tint levels. In fact, Tennessee permits SUVs, vans and trucks to employ darker tint levels on the windshield, windows directly adjacent to the windshield. Hence, the 20% legal minimum does not relate to these front windows, since they are specifically excluded as noted above. For your front windshield, you can legally employ 20% tint levels or higher. But keep in mind that many states mandate a 4" strip that runs along the top of the windshield piped down to about the visor of your car. This strip along the top of the windshield is not also counted toward the tint levels that are otherwise permitted for SUVs and vans. In other words, you can still have 20% tint along the entire top 4 inches of your windshield, but then have legal percentage tint along the remaining windshield above the visor. As with all window tint laws, Tennessee strictly prohibits the reflection of color on tinted windows. Although some states will allow for colored tint, the color of any tint on vehicles in Tennessee must be non-reflective. Thus, in the same way that you cannot have window tint that is darker than 20%, you cannot have window tint that reflects color.

Penalties and Consequences for Violations

Several legal consequences are in place in Tennessee for tint-law violations. The typical result of a citation for the crime is a fine, though an appropriate subsection of the previous law enforcement tool is the confiscation of a window tint meter — which is extremely unlikely but can still theoretically happen. It’s also worth noting that violations sometimes prompt random safety inspections of the specific vehicle. Additionally, there are consequences for the officers who didn’t follow the rules and procedures for tinting. If a law enforcement officer fails to follow protocol and subsequently conducts an arrest on tinted windows, the officer could face legal trouble.
The penalty is generally a fine, with no jail time. The financial consequence being simple, however, tint law violation fines do seem to be a little high. In 2019, in Davidson County, a person can expect to face a basic fine of $125 — with an additional $10 ($135 total) charged per additional piece of equipment illegally tinted. An illegal tint can count as each individual piece of tint, so a fine could theoretically reach $635 (for a car, SUV or truck, which respectively tend to have three to five windows). The maximum punishment can include not only a fine, but also a probationary follow-up inspection, in which the owner will have to prove they have removed the tint and any other offending equipment from their vehicle. If they cannot present the appropriate proof, their car may be subject to in-depth vehicle inspection — including the dismantling of parts. However, these are the worst case scenarios, and the vast majority of citations will merely result in fines.

Legal Tint Benefits

The benefits of adhering to window tint regulations are numerous. For one, having legal tint on your vehicle windows provides an added level of safety. This is particularly true with darker, high-quality tints that prevent shattering in the event of a collision. Such tint also makes it difficult for potential thieves to see inside the vehicle, while keeping out harmful UV rays that can cause interior damage.
Beyond protection, legal window tint also offers aesthetic benefits by providing a sleek and uniform appearance to the windows. This is an important consideration for those who want a more professional or polished look for their vehicle.
Another benefit of legal window tint is that it helps to maintain the resale value of the vehicle. If you have tinted your windows with a shade that is not legally allowed, you may have to remove it or pay penalties if you decide to sell your vehicle. Staying within the legal limits for window tint allows you to keep the car free of these extra hassles.
In Tennessee, the darkest window tint that is legally allowed is a 20% VLT, which has 80% of visible light blocked. Such a tint is considered dark, but it is still legal.
Following Tennessee’s window tint regulations provides dark tinted windows that have all of the safety, aesthetic, health and resale benefits that come with having legal window tint.

How to Get the Correct Tint the First Time

To ensure that your vehicle tint is compliant with Tennessee laws, there are several things that you should keep in mind before obtaining your new tint. First and foremost, it is important to select an installer that has experience working with the dark tinted film that you are looking to install, as well as an installer that has knowledge of the specific tint restrictions for your car or truck. Throughout the state of Tennessee, tint is measured using the term VLT: which stands for "visible light transmission." Generally, when we refer to the tint on you back windows being compliant, we are referring to an appropriate VLT percentage. By selecting an experienced auto tint installer, you can be assured that they will be familiar with the precise tint levels as defined by Tennessee law.
Many of the drivers who find themselves in conflict with Tennessee police officers end up receiving warnings due to incorrectly installed tint, which contributes to the fact that most Tennessee consumers will eventually "get a ticket" due to their window tint being too dark . By ensuring that the tint on your vehicle is installed correctly, you will reduce your chances of ever receiving a violation for illegal tint. It is also helpful to perform regular tint checks using a tint strip or tint meter, as this will alert you when you need to have your tint replaced.
While running tint checks every once in a while may help you determine whether you need to have your tint replaced, the best way to determine whether your tint is too dark is to take your vehicle to a certified law enforcement agency that performs tint checks. These law enforcement offices will have the proper tools and experience to determine whether your tint is within Tennessee legal limits and will even inform you of how many more tint checks you need to have performed before replacing your tint. This requires a minimal payment and some of your time but will protect you from receiving a ticket due to using commercially available tint that is darker than what is allowed by Tennesee law.

Exceptions to Window Tint Laws

Much like the law in other states, Tennessee does provide some exemptions from the state’s tint restrictions. These exemptions typically involve exceptions for medical conditions that require medical tint to be applied to the windows of a vehicle. Permitted medical tint – sometimes called medical exemption window tint – may only be obtained upon the issuance of a certified letter from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities.
Individuals who are interested in obtaining a medical tint exemption must take steps to secure the certified letter from the Board of Health. The certified letter must list the specifics of the applicant’s purpose for requesting special tint, the kind of tint requested, the degree of tint, and where the tint will be applied.
Individuals can secure a blank application form from the Board of Health by visiting its website. After the application has been filled out completely, it can then be delivered in person or via U.S. mail to the Board of Health.

Staying Up-to-Date on the Law

It is imperative that vehicle owners stay on top of the law updates from time to time. Determining the extent to which section 55-9-107 will be applied to darkness of tint is a matter that should be resolved soon. The body of law that will be determined by Tennessee courts will provide more clarity as well as help law enforcement deal with the issue of darkness of tint. The General Assembly provides citizens and law enforcement with a wealth of information. Information about laws, rules, and public notices is available online, via phone, and in person. The legislative proposals adopted early each year by the General Assembly are usually collected and published in The Public Acts of Tennessee . These acts or laws become effective after the General Assembly approves them unless they are designated to take effect at a later time or exist in order to implement a specific service. It is best to consult The Public Laws of Tennessee regarding the laws for your state every few months. The public can also review The Public Acts of Tennessee on the internet and contact the relevant departments directly. The best time of year to keep an eye on the updates to the laws that apply to tint is in the fall. The Department of Safety and the Department of Revenue are great sources of information about law updates regarding the dark tinted car windows. In addition, you may contact the department in person or through hotline or website based resources.