Cars with tinted windows look fancy for sure, but if you live in Washington, that won’t be a good idea! Thanks to the Washington 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 2011 when the car tinting law in Washington 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.
Washington Tint Laws in 2023 – Everything You Need to Know
Before you get to know the Washington Window 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 Washington state law?
The VLT or Visible Light Transmission indicates 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.
Washington Window Tint Law Limits
The Washington 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 law limits for multipurpose and passenger automobiles.
Tint Darkness for Passenger Vehicles
- Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield. - Front side windows
Must allow more than 24% of light in. - Backside windows
Must allow more than 24% of light in. - Rear window
Must allow more than 24% of light in.
Tint Darkness for Multi-purpose Vehicles
- Windshield
Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield. - Front side windows
Must allow more than 24% of light in. - Backside windows
Any darkness can be used. - Rear window
Any darkness can be used.
Window Tint Reflection in Washington
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 Washington 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
Must not be more than 35% reflective. - Backside windows
Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Tint reflection for SUV and Vans
- Front side windows
Must not be more than 35% reflective. - Backside windows
Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Other Washington Window Tint Rules and Regulations You Need to Know
When it comes to window tinting of your vehicle, Washington 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 Washington
Dual side mirrors are required in this state if the back window is tinted.
Restricted Colors
Yellow, red, and amber window tints are not allowed by Washington law.
Certificates
Film manufacturers need to certify the film they sell in the state of Washington. Check with your dealer if they are using certified film.
Stickers
The sticker to identify legal tinting is required between the film & glass on the driver’s side window.
Penalties
Can be up to $124
Washington Window Tint Medical Exemption
Washington allows medical exemptions for special tint.
Benefits of Window Tinting in Washington
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 Washington
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.
Washington Tint law references
The Bottom Line
The goal of creating this article was to enlighten you about the Washington 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.
