Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in Minnesota, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the Minnesota 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 1985 when the car tinting law in Minnesota 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.
Minnesota Tint Laws 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota– MN window tint law 2023
The Minnesota 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 MN window tint laws for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Legal Tint in MN- Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
No tint is allowed on the windshield for Minnesota. - Front side windows
For front side windows, 50% tint is allowed according to the Minnesota window tint rules. - Backside windows
You can use 50% tint darkness without getting in trouble. - Rear window
On the rear window, the legal tint in Minnesota is 50%.
Legal Tint in MN- Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
No tint allowed - Front side windows
The law will let you use 50% tinting if it is about the front side windows. - Backside windows
For the back side windows, you can use any darkness accurately according to the laws of Minnesota. - Rear window
When it is to the rear window, No limitations for darkness.
Window Tint Reflection in Minnesota
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 Minnesota 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
The law will let you use must not be more than 20% reflective - Backside windows
The law will let you use must not be more than 20% reflective
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front Side windows
The law will let you use must not be more than 20% reflective - Back Side windows
The law will let you use must not be more than 20% reflective
Other Minnesota Window Tint Rules and Regulations You Need to Know
When it comes to window tinting of your vehicle, Minnesota 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 Minnesota
There are no restrictions or requirements for side mirrors in Minnesota.
Restricted Colors
When someone hears about the tint laws in Minnesota, the next question they ask is which color to use on the glass. No colors of tint are explicitly restricted from use.
Certificates
The films used by the manufacturers to tint your cars don’t need any certification in Minnesota.
Stickers
According to the law, The sticker to identify legal tinting is required between the film & glass on the driver’s side window Source.
Penalties
Penalties can be up to $95.
MN Window Tint Laws Medical Exemption
In Minnesota, 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 Minnesota?
The process for getting this Minnesota 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.
Minnesota Medical Exemption Requirements
| State | Minnesota |
| Statute, regulation, or other sources | M.S.A. § 169.71 |
| For whom the exemption may apply | driver or passenger |
| Reason(s) | medical need |
| Which windows | N/A |
| Limits on the amount of tint | prescription or physician’s statement of medical need specifically states the minimum percentage light transmittance maybe reduced to satisfy the medical need |
| Certification from medical provider (which type[s] of provider) | physician |
| Frequency of certification of need | <= 2 years |
| Document required in vehicle | prescription or physician’s statement of medical need |
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 Minnesota
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.
Minnesota, MN Tint Laws FAQ
Is 5 Tint legal in Minnesota?
You can use 5% tint on multi-purpose vehicle’s back & rear windows. 5% tint is illegal for passenger vehicles.
Is 20 Tint Legal in MN?
You can use 20% tint on multi-purpose vehicle’s back & rear windows. 20% tint is illegal for passenger vehicles.
Darkest Legal Tint in MN?
For passenger vehicles, 50% is the darkest tint in Minnesota. For multi-purpose vehicles driver side window 50% is the darkest tint, you can use any tint of darkness on the backside & rear window.
Minnesota Tint Ticket Cost- How Much?
A Minnesota tint ticket can cost $135.
MN Tint law references
Minnesota Statutes section 169.71: Windshield.
The Bottom Line
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota’s window tinting laws or for assistance finding a qualified installer, visit the website of the Minnesota Criminal Justice Information Center.
