Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in South Dakota, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the South Dakota 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 1989 when the car tinting law in South Dakota 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.
South Dakota Tint Laws 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the South Dakota 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 SD tint laws
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.
South Dakota Car Window Tint Law Limits
The South Dakota 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 law limits for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line. - Front side windows
More than 35% light must be in. - Back side windows
More than 20% light must be in. - Rear window
More than 20% light must be in.
Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line. - Front side windows
More than 35% light must be in. - Back side windows
More than 20% light must be in. - Rear window
More than 20% light must be in.
Window Tint Reflection – South Dakota tint laws
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 South Dakota 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
No metallic or mirrored appearance. - Backside window
No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front side windows
No metallic or mirrored appearance. - Backside window
Front side windows - No metallic or mirrored appearance.
- Backside window
No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Other South Dakota tint laws You Need to Know
When it comes to window tinting of your vehicle, South Dakota 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 South Dakota
There are no restrictions on side mirrors in South Dakota.
Restricted Colors
No colors of tint are explicitly restricted.
Certificates
Film manufacturers need to certify the film they sell in South Dakota. Check with your dealer if they are using certified film.
Stickers
The sticker to identify legal tinting is required between the film & glass on each tinted window.
Penalties
Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota Window Tint Medical Exemption
South Dakota law does not allow any medical exemptions that would allow using special car window tint.
Benefits of Window Tinting in South Dakota
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 South Dakota
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.
South Dakota Tint laws references
The Bottom Line
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the South Dakota 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.
