North Carolina Window Tint Laws (Updated 2026)

Tinting your car’s windows gives you protection from dangerous UV rays, improves your driving comfort and protects your belongings.

However, each state has different window tinting laws drivers must follow to avoid citations or “ﬁx-it” tickets.

It’s important other drivers and pedestrians are able to make eye contact and see where you’re looking. Law enforcement also needs to be able to identify the driver in a vehicle.

What is Visible light transmission (VLT)?

VLT = VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION

The higher the percentage of VLT, the more light passes through.
100% VLT means your car’s windows are transparent, leaving you unprotected from damaging UV rays.
5% VLT is the darkest and barely lets light pass through the tint film.

How Does Law Enforcement Measure Window Tint?

North Carolina Window Tint Laws

North Carolina

Passenger cars and station wagons

Includes most 2-5 Door vehicles that seat less than 5 passengers.

Windshield: Non-reﬂective above the AS-1 line or top 5″
Front Side Windows: 32% VLT
Back Side Windows: 32% VLT
Rear Window: 32% VLT

Multipurpose passenger vehicles, transportation vehicles, and lightweight trucks

Minivans, Pickups, SUVs, etc. that are designed to carry less than 10 passengers.

Windshield: Non-reﬂective above the AS-1 line or top 5″
Front Side Windows: 32% VLT
Back Side Windows: Any tint darkness
Rear Window: Any tint darkness

Reflective Tint

Window tint with metallic particles to give glass a silver/mirror look. This reﬂects glare and reject heat.

Windshield: Prohibited
Front Side Windows: Max. 20% Reﬂective
Back Side Windows: Max. 20% Reﬂective
Rear Window: Max. 20% Reﬂective

Other

Other limits, restrictions, or allowances

Prohibited Tint Colors: Red, Amber, and Yellow
Mirrors: Dual side mirrors are REQUIRED if rear window is tinted.
Certiﬁcation: NC does not require certiﬁed tint
VLT Stickers: NC does not require VLT stickers

READY TO GET YOUR WINDOWS TINTED IN NORTH CAROLINA?

With over 36 years of experience in the window tint and paint protection industry, we can help you find the perfect tint that will make your car stand out, give you extra protection and stay within your state’s legal limits. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians can answer any questions you have regarding window tint laws in your state.

We offer tinting services throughout the state of North Carolina with our multiple store locations, including Burlington, NC, Concord, NC, East Charlotte, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Kernersville, NC, Lake Norman, NC, Marion, NC, Matthews, NC, Raleigh, NC, Southend Charlotte, NC, Southport, NC, Uptown Charlotte, NC, and West Charlotte, NC.

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DISCLAIMER: Window tint laws in your state can change on a daily basis. These rules and regulations may be interpreted differently by city or county authorities. We recommend verifying this information with your local DMV or local law enforcement agencies for accuracy. This information relating to window tint laws was last updated on May 18, 2021. If you ﬁnd any of this information to be inaccurate, please let us know so we can update it!

WHAT ARE THE WINDOW TINT LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA?