Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in Iowa, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the Iowa tint laws, you cannot use tint film on the windows whenever you want.
But what do these Iowa window tint laws change? Well, that’s what we’ll discuss here today.
It was 1983 when the car tinting law in Iowa was proposed. It talks about how much dark or reflective your car window tint film 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.
Iowa Tint Laws in 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the Iowa 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 Iowa 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 film will get darker. And higher VLT means that more visible 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 film.
So, what is the legal tint in Iowa– IA window tint law 2023
The Iowa window tint law is different for each type of vehicle. For passenger and multipurpose vehicles, you have to follow dissimilar rules.
So here is the IA, Iowa tinted window law for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Legal Tint in Iowa- Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
Must allow more than 70% of light in. - Front side windows
For front side windows, 70% tint is allowed according to the Iowa window tint rules. - Backside windows
Any tint darkness can be used. - Rear window
Any tint darkness can be used.
Legal Tint in Iowa- Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
Must allow more than 70% of light in. - Front side windows
For front side windows, 70% tint is allowed according to the Iowa window tint rules. - Backside windows
Any tint darkness can be used. - Rear window
Any tint darkness can be used.
Window Tint Reflection in Iowa
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 Iowa 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
Not excessive reflectiveness, the law is not specific. - Backside windows
For front side windows, Not excessive reflectiveness, the law is not specific.
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front side windows
Not excessive reflectiveness, the law is not specific. - Backside windows
For front side windows, Not excessive reflectiveness, the law is not specific.
Other Iowa Window Tint Rules and Regulations You Need to Know
When it comes to accurate window tinting of your vehicle, Iowa 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 Iowa
For the side mirrors, Iowa doesn’t have any specific tinting rule whatsoever.
Restricted Colors
When someone hears about the tint laws in Iowa, the next question they ask is which color to use on the glass. Well, the law of Iowa No colors of tint are explicitly prohibited from use.
Certificate
The films used by the manufacturers to tint your cars don’t need any certification in Iowa.
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 $127.50.
Iowa Window Tint Medical Exemption
Iowa doesn’t permit darker window tinting due to medical exemptions since July 2012 for car windows.
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 Iowa
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.
Iowa, IA Tint Laws FAQ
What is the New Iowa Tint Law Change?
The Iowa legislature has recently passed a law that changes the tinting requirements for vehicles in the state. Previously, front-side windows had to allow more than 70% of light in, while back-side windows could be completely dark. The new law changes this so that any darkness can be used as long as there is at least 30% light allowed in through the window. This change is meant to increase safety on roadways by allowing drivers more visibility during nighttime traffic conditions.
Is 5 Tint Legal in Iowa?
In Iowa, it is illegal to have a front-side window with a tint darker than 70%. However, it is legal to have a back-side or rear window with any darkness. This law is in place to help keep drivers safe during the day.
Is 20 Tint Legal in Iowa?
In Iowa, it is illegal to have a front-side window with a tint darker than 70%. However, it is legal to have a back-side or rear window with any darkness. This law is in place to help keep drivers safe during the day.
Is 35 Percent Tint Legal in Iowa?
In Iowa, it is illegal to have a front-side window with a tint darker than 70%. However, it is legal to have a back-side or rear window with any darkness. This law is in place to help keep drivers safe during the day.
What is the Darkest Legal Tint in Iowa?
For driver-side windows, 70% tint is the darkest legal tint for all tips of Vehicles. without driver-side windows and windshield, you can use any tint darkness.
Tint law references
Iowa Administrative Code – IAC Rule 761.450.7 – Front windshields, windows, or side wings
Iowa Department of Transportation – Window Tinting Standards
Iowa Code Title VIII, Subtitle II, Section 321.438: Windshields and windows. (.pdf file)
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is important to be familiar with the Iowa 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 Iowa‘s window tinting laws or for assistance finding a qualified installer, visit the website of the Iowa Criminal Justice Information Center.
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the Iowa 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.
