In the state of Pennsylvania, as a general rule the law for automotive window tint is 70% for passenger cars on all the side windows and back glass. On SUV's, trucks and vans, only the front doors are regulated. Read on for more detailed information.

HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN PENNSYLVANIA?


       Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In Pennsylvania, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.

 Darkness allowed on Passanger Cars

• Windshield Tint can be allowed with Certificate of Exemption ( MV-402 ) and must allow 70% of light in but only with  Non-reflective tint. A Sun strip is allowed on the top 6 inches or less of the windshield as long as it does not go below asl line.

• Front Side Window Tint Must allow 70% of light in.

• Back Side Window Tinting Must allow 70% of light in.

• Rear Window Auto Tint Must allow 70% of light in.

 Darkness allowed Truck, Vans, And SUV's 

• Only the front door tinting is regulated at 70% on these vehicles. You are allowed to go as dark as you would like on all the windows behind the front 2 doors. Consult with a professional installer about the proper window tinting percentages for your vehicle before making a window film purchase.


HOW REFLECTIVE CAN AUTO GLASS TINTING BE IN PENNSYLVANIA?


Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting films contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light.

• Front Side Window Tint Must have 0% reflection.

• Back Side Window Tinting Films Must have 0% reflection.


OTHER PENNSYLVANIA WINDOW TINTING FILM RULES AND REGULATIONS

• Medical Exemption State allows medical exemptions to tint windows on your automobile. For more details about the specific terms of the exemption, consult your state law.

The law for automotive window tint varies from state to state. In many northern states window tint laws require nothing darker than a 70% film, while in other parts of the country it can be as dark as 20%.

Here in PA the law for tinted glass on your car is 70% for the entire vehicle. There are exceptions to the law of 70%: multi-purpose vehicles, like SUVs or minivans, can go with any shade on the rear of the vehicle. (Any auto glass behind the front two door windows)

These percentages are used to measure the amount of visible light transmitting (VLT) through a tinted window. The lower the percentage means the darker the film. One thing to consider is even though a car’s window may not be tinted, it doesn’t mean it is clear. A lot of auto glass that isn’t tinted can have its VLT measure at around 70% or higher. This can sometimes put a car on the illegal side even though the proper percentage of tint was applied.

The state of Pennsylvania also requires that window tint have no reflectivity of any %. This reflectivity can be seen on vehicles that have windows that look like mirrors. This type of film has phased out over the last decade as car manufacturers have put more and more technology into a vehicle’s glass and the metal in mirrored tint can interfere with this technology. This makes carbon and ceramic tint great alternative films for providing great heat rejection without interfering with our cellphone, gps, and internet signals.

A vehicle is allowed a tinted windshield strip along the top six inches of the windshield. There is no requirement to the shade of the windshield strip, however, it can’t be reflective. You should always install a window film that complies to the State of Pennsylvania regulations. Not only do you run the risk of being ticketed for illegal window film, it can be expensive to strip and redo all the windows on your car.