Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in Alaska, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the Alaska tint laws, you cannot use tint film on the windows whenever you want.
But what do these laws say? Well, that’s what we’ll discuss here today.
It was 1994 when the car tinting law in Alaska was proposed. It talks about how dark or reflective your car window tint should be, depending on the state tint laws.
We’ve provided all the information you need in this regard over here. Also, there is also some extra information on rules and regulations, which you should obey if you don’t want to get fined.
Alaska Tint Laws 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the Alaska window tint laws, you need to learn about the VLT. So before we get into the details, let’s talk about it at first!
What does VLT mean according to Alaska state law?
The VLT or Visible Light Transmission indicated the percentage of detectable light that passes through your car’s window.
When the VLT is lower, the window tint will get darker. And higher VLT means that more light will penetrate the windows without any trouble.
For instance, if you install 75% tint on the glasses, 75% light will go through them. And when the tint is 5%, the insides of your car will be way darker!
By the way, We have in-depth content about VLT and window tint percentage for your reference. We recommend checking it out If you want to know the different levels of window tint.
So, what is the legal tint in Alaska- AK window tint law 2023
The Alaska window tint law is different for each type of vehicle. For passenger and multipurpose vehicles, you have to follow dissimilar rules.
So here are the AK window tint laws for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Legal Tint in Alaska- Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
For windshields in Alaska, there are two types of legal tint: one that is transparent and one that is reflective. If you are using a non-reflective tint, you can install it on the top five-inch of your passenger vehicle’s windows. - Front side windows
According to Alaska tint laws, front side windows can have a darkness level of 70 for passenger vehicles. It means 30% light must be in. This allows for a nice level of privacy while also reducing the glare that comes into your car during the day. - Backside windows
The back side windows of your car can help keep you and your passengers cool in summer weather. However, some municipalities and states have laws that limit the amount of darkness or tint that can be used on the backside windows. If you live in Alaska, you are able to get a 40% legal tint installed on your backside windows without getting in trouble. - Rear window
When it comes to tinting your rear window, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. In Alaska, the legal limit for tint darkness is 40%. This means that any window with a darker shade than this will be considered illegal and could lead to fines or even jail time.
Legal Tint in Alaska- Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
When you think about tinting your windows for the windshield of any multipurpose vehicle, you can use tinted films on the top five inches of the window. This is legal in Alaska, as long as the film does not exceed a 65-percent transparency rating. - Front side windows
The law states that you can have 70% darkness on the front side windows of your vehicle. This means that you can have a darker tint than what is legally allowed on the rear window. The purpose of this law is to allow drivers to be able to see out of their vehicles in low light situations. - Backside windows
Back side windows of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in Alaska must have a minimum of 40 percent light transmittance. This is according to the law in the state. “The window must be transparent to allow at least 40% of the light entering it to pass through the window,” reads section 55.21.010(a)(2) of Alaska Statutes. The back side windows on an MPV should be tinted accordingly if the driver wants to keep traffic violations down and ensure that they are following all traffic laws. - Rear window
When it comes to legal tint in Alaska, most motorists understand that the rear window is exempt. This means that you will be able to install 40% darkness without any issues. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you are looking to add some privacy to your car while still abiding by the law. For instance, make sure the tint is properly registered and approved. Additionally, be sure to take into account other regulations such as side and rearview mirrors.
Window Tint Reflection in Alaska
Using tint on your automobile’s window can reflect the incoming light and reduce the heat. Moreover, the tinted windows also prevent glares.
Well, the Alaska tint laws authorize some specific window reflection while using a tint. So if you ever think about coloring the glasses, pay attention to this as well.
Tint Reflection for Sedans
- Front side windows
In the front side windows, you don’t have permission to use any metallic or mirrored appearance. - Backside windows
The same thing goes for the backside windows too. You cannot use any metallic or mirrored appearance on this one as well.
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front Side windows
You cannot use mirrored appearance and metallic appearance on this window. - Back Side windows
The drivers don’t have permission to use any mirrored appearance.
Other Alaska Window Tint Laws and Regulations You Need to Know
When it comes to window tinting of your vehicle, Alaska is pretty serious about that. You will have plenty of rules and regulations to abide by.
Besides maintaining a specific percentage of the glare on each window, here are some other restrictions you need to follow, even if you want to do a subtle darkening.
Side mirrors in Alaska
For the side mirrors, Alaska doesn’t have any specific tinting rule whatsoever.
Restricted Colors
When someone hears about the tint laws in Alaska, the next question they ask is which color to use on the glass. Well, the law of Alaska doesn’t allow you to use all the colors on the palette; that’s no secret! So which colors can be used?
You can use gray, green, and bronze car window tint without any issue. Moreover, you have permission to use neutral smoke color too.
Therefore, if you want to use smoke gray window tint, you can do that confidently.
Certificates
The films used by the manufacturers to tint your cars don’t need any certification in Alaska.
Stickers
According to the law, if you have completed the tinting, your car windows don’t need any stickers to prove that. Well, that’s pretty impressive!
Penalties
When the coloring has been done wrongly, you will be given a warning to fix that. And if you don’t handle this issue with caution and get it repaired by the given time, you will be fined up to $300.
Alaska Window Tint Medical Exemption
In Alaska, the law states that any driver with a medical exemption can tint their car windows to any degree. To get this exemption, you must have a letter from your doctor stating that you need to tint your windows for medical reasons. The letter must include your name, date of birth, and the specific reason why you need to tint your windows. You must also have this letter with you whenever you’re driving, and present it to a police officer if they ask for it.
Alaska Medical Exemption Requirements
| State | Alaska |
| Statute, regulation, or other sources | 13 AAC 04.223 |
| For whom the exemption may apply | driver or passenger who frequently travels in the vehicle |
| Reason(s) | a person must be shielded from the direct rays of the sun |
| Which windows | |
| Limits on the amount of tint | |
| Certification from medical provider (which type[s] of provider) | certification from a physician licensed to practice in the state |
| Frequency of certification of need | annual |
| Document required in vehicle | certification from the physician |
For more information regarding window tint medical exemptions in Alaska you can check out these resources:
Benefits of Window Tinting in Alaska
The tint on your car’s window isn’t just a decorative thing; it comes with greater benefits too. So let’s talk about the advantage of coloring your vehicle’s window, shall we?
Prevents the Interior from Fading
While parking our cars, we always look for shades, don’t we? Well, it helps us to maintain the top-notch condition of our car’s exterior.
Likewise, when you use tints on your vehicle’s windows, the interior doesn’t have to face the harshness of the sunlight. Therefore, if you have beautiful leather seats, they are less likely to get damaged!
Blocks UV Rays
You don’t need to get lectured about the harmful effects of UV rays, do you? We all know that applying tons of sunscreen isn’t enough to protect you from damage. And when your car has tinted glasses, you can avert this UV situation pretty gracefully.
Get Better Security
Nothing is worst than people staring at you when you mind your own business in the car. The people in the backseat have to go through this problem more than the drivers. And when you get tinted glasses, you don’t have to go through this annoyance anymore.
Take a Chill Pill
When riding on the hottest summer days, even the AC won’t be enough to cool you down. But if you have tinted windows, you don’t have to worry about sweating anymore!
Cost of Car Window Tinting in Alaska
The cost may vary from film to film when it is to tint. For instance, if you want to use a regular classic film for your Sedan, it will cost you up to 150-200 bucks. And when you want something exclusive like ceramic tints, you will need to spend $400 or more!
However, if you don’t have the budget to do the tinting professionally, you can get a DIY tint kit. It will cost you around a hundred bucks, which is a relief!
To know more detail about car tint cost click here.
Alaska, AK Tint Laws FAQ
Is 5% Tint Legal in Alaska?
According to the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles, 5 tint is not legal in the state. However, for medical reasons, you may be able to get a special permit to have that level of tint on your car. The DMV also states that any tint above 30% cannot be used in the state.
Is 20% Tint Legal in Alaska?
20% tinting is not legal in Alaska according to the state’s vehicle code. The law states that any window tint above 1%. This means that if your car has 20% tint, the window panes must be at least 2 inches thick to be in compliance with the law.
So, How Much Does an Alaska Window Tint Ticket Cost?
Window tinting in Alaska can cost anywhere from $10-$300 depending on the municipality. In general, most municipalities charge $25-$100 for window tinting and add an additional fee for vehicles with darker windows. The fees are subject to change, so it is important to contact your municipality directly for the most up-to-date information.
Secret Tips
How To Pass Inspection With Tinted Windows
Tint law references
- Alaska Statutes Title 1 Chapter 04 Sec. 223 – Tinted vehicle windows
- Municipality of Anchorage – Traffic, Vehicle Equipment FAQ – Tinted Windows
- Alaska State Legislature: 13 AAC 04.223. Tinted vehicle windows – Section (c) (1)-(3)
The Bottom Line
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the Alaska tint laws so you can confidently drive your car through the state. The article you’ve read just now was last updated in 2021. If you think we’ve missed any new information, feel free to contact us anytime you want.
In conclusion, it is important to be aware of the Alaska tint laws when modifying your vehicle. While the tinting regulations may seem restrictive, they are in place for safety reasons. By following the guidelines, you can ensure that your car is in compliance with state law and avoid any potential fines or penalties.
