Texas Window Tint Laws — Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about window tint regulations in Texas. Current legal limits for every window, penalties for violations, and how medical exemptions work.
Updated April 2026 · Texas Tint Exemption Editorial Team
Texas Tint Limits at a Glance
Texas regulates window tint under Transportation Code §547.613. VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is the percentage of light passing through. Lower VLT = darker tint.
| Window | Sedan | SUV / Van / Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield | 25% VLT allowed, non-reflective tint only | 25% VLT allowed, non-reflective tint only |
| Front Side Windows | 25% VLT | 25% VLT |
| Back Side Windows | Any darkness | Any darkness |
| Rear Window | Any darkness | Any darkness |
| Max Reflectivity | 25% | 25% |
Texas is unique: back and rear windows can be any darkness on all vehicle types. Only the front side windows are restricted to 25% VLT.
Texas Annual Safety Inspection & Tint
Texas vs. Neighboring States
Texas has some of the most permissive rear window rules in the country (any darkness on all rear windows), but the 25% front restriction is stricter than some neighbors:
| State | Front Side | Back Side | Inspection? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 25% VLT | Any | Annual |
| Louisiana | 40% VLT | 25% VLT | No |
| Oklahoma | 25% VLT | 25% VLT | No |
| New Mexico | 20% VLT | 20% VLT | No |
| Arkansas | 25% VLT | 10% VLT | No |
Your Texas exemption is only valid in Texas. Louisiana, for example, has stricter front limits (40% VLT) and would not honor a TX exemption.
Where Texas Tint Laws Are Most Actively Enforced
Texas DPS State Troopers patrol interstates statewide, but tint enforcement is concentrated in:
Understanding VLT in Texas's UV Environment
VLT measures the percentage of visible light passing through your window tint. Texas spans extreme UV zones — El Paso reaches UV index 11-12 with 297 sunny days, while Houston averages UV index 9-10 with 204 sunny days. Here's what common VLT levels look like:
Penalties for Illegal Tint in Texas
In Texas, illegal tint creates two problems: traffic citations from DPS/local PD and annual inspection failure. A medical exemption at $225solves both permanently under §547.613(c).
Restricted Tint Colors in Texas
Texas Transportation Code restricts certain tint colors: Red, amber, and blue not permitted. These colors are prohibited on all vehicles regardless of whether you have a medical exemption. Only neutral-tone films are permitted.
Medical Exemptions Under Texas §547.613(c)
Texas Transportation Code §547.613(c) authorizes medical exemptions for individuals with conditions requiring enhanced UV or light protection. Texas's large Hispanic and Latino population experiences elevated lupus prevalence, while the state's world-class cancer centers (MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, UT Southwestern in Dallas) treat thousands of melanoma patients annually who benefit from medical tint exemptions.
Texas's significant military communities at Fort Cavazos (Killeen), Fort Bliss (El Paso), Lackland AFB (San Antonio), and NAS Corpus Christi also include veterans with TBI-related photophobia and other service-connected conditions that qualify for tint exemptions.