Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in Illinois, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the Illinois 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 2009 when the car tinting law in Illinois was proposed. It talks about how dark or reflective your car window tint should be, depending on the state you live in.
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.
So yes, it’s pretty crucial you read the whole article from top to bottom.
Illinois Tint Laws in 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the Illinois window tint laws, you need to learn about the VLT. So before we get into the details, let’s talk about it first!
What does VLT mean according to Illinois 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 visible light transmission will penetrate the windows without any trouble.
For instance, if you install 75% tint on the glasses, 75% light transmission 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 Illinois– IL window tint law 2023
The Illinois 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 IL window tint laws for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Legal Tint in Illinois- Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
If you are using a non-reflective tint, you can install it on the top six-inch of your vehicle’s windows. - Front side windows
For front side windows, 35% tint is allowed according to the Illinois window tint rules. - Backside windows
You can use 35% tint darkness without getting in trouble. - Rear window
The legal tint in Illinois is up to 35% on the rear window.
Legal Tint in Illinois- Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
When you are thinking about non-reflective window tints for the windshield of any multipurpose vehicle, you can use tinted films on the top six inches. - Front side windows
The law will let you use 50% tinting if it is about the front side windows. - Backside windows
You can use any tint darkness. - Rear window
The same goes for hare You can use any tint darkness.
Window Tint Reflection in Illinois
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 window tint Illinois law authorizes 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
You can’t use reflective. - Backside windows
Must be non-reflective.
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front Side windows
Must be non-reflective. - Back Side windows
You can’t use reflective.
Other Illinois Window Tint Rules and Regulations You Need to Know
When it comes to window tinting of your vehicle, Illinois 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 Illinois
Dual side mirrors are required if the back window is tinted.
Restricted Colors
When someone hears about the tint laws in Illinois, the next question they ask is which color to use on the glass. Well, No colors of tint are explicitly banned by Illinois tint laws. that’s pretty impressive!
Certificates
The films used by the manufacturers to tint your cars don’t need any certification in Illinois.
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, $50-$500 fine. Second or subsequent violations are class C misdemeanors with a $100 – $500 fine.
Illinois Window Tint Medical Exemption
In Illinois, 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 that specifically states 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.
How to Get Medical Exemption for Window Tint in Illinois?
The process for getting this Illinois Window Tint Exemption Form is fairly simple. You just need to go to your doctor and get a note from them stating that you need the dark tint for medical reasons. Once you have the note, take it to your local motor vehicle office and they will issue you an exemption sticker to put on your car.
Illinois Medical Exemption Requirements
| State | Illinois |
| Statute, regulation, or other sources | 625 ILCS 5/3-663 625 ILCS 5/12-503 |
| For whom the exemption may apply | the vehicle owner and operator or a person who resides at the same address |
| Reason(s) | a medical disease that requires that person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun, including but not limited to systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, or albinism; no exemption shall be granted for any condition, such as light sensitivity, for which protection can be adequately obtained by the use of sunglasses or another eye-protective devices |
| Frequency of certification of need | every 4 years |
| Vehicle must be marked | certification from the physician that must contain signature and name the medical condition; copy also to Secretary of State, who may forward to law enforcement agencies |
| Certification from medical provider (which type[s] of provider) | a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state |
| Application to state department | required |
| Document required in vehicle | certification from the physician that must contain signature and name the medical condition; copy also to Secretary of State, who may forward to law enforcement agencies |
Benefits of Window Tinting
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 Tint in Illinois
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.
Illinois, ILTint Laws FAQ
Is 5 Tint Legal in Illinois?
if you are thinking to tint your passenger vehicle you can’t darken your windows to more than 35 percent. But for Multi-purpose Vehicles’ back and rear windows you can use any tint darkness.
Is 15 Percent Tint Legal in Illinois?
No, if you are thinking to tint your passenger vehicle you can’t darken your windows to more than 35 percent. But for Multi-purpose Vehicles’ back and rear windows you can use any tint darkness.
Is 20 Tint Legal in Illinois?
For Passenger Vehicles 20% tint is illegal. You can use any tint darkness on Multi-purpose Vehicle’s back & rear windows.
what is the darkest legal tint in Illinois?
For Passenger Vehicles 35% and for Multi-purpose Vehicles driver-side windows 50% is the darkest tint in Illinois also you can use any tint darkness on Multi-purpose Vehicles’ back and rear windows.
How Much is a Ticket for Tinted Windows in Illinois?
Illinois tint ticket can cost $50 to $500.
Ill. Tint law references
Illinois Vehicle Code Chapter 12, Article V – Glass, Windshields, and Mirrors
Medical exemption info :
Illinois Tinted Window Medical Certification form (.pdf file)
The Bottom Line
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the Illinois 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 familiar with the Illinois window tint laws if you are planning to get your car tinted. While there are some restrictions, the benefits of window tinting make it well worth the effort to follow the guidelines. To learn more about Illinois’s window tinting laws or for assistance finding a qualified installer, visit the website of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Center.
