Pennsylvania Tint Laws
Window tints look sleek, protect you from the sun and reduce glare. With those and other benefits, it's no wonder drivers get tint products for their cars' windows. However, before you revamp your vehicle, you need to know your state's tint laws to avoid getting ticketed for incorrect window tints.
Every state has their own requirements and restrictions for window tints. Pennsylvania drivers may have more restrictions to follow, but don't give up on tinting your vehicle. Learn about Pennsylvania tint laws below to understand what you can and can't have on your vehicle.
Is Window Tint Legal in Pennsylvania?
Window tint is legal in Pennsylvania, but it's under more restrictions than you'd find in other states. When you look at Pennsylvania window tint requirements, you'll see numbers for visible light transmission (VLT). VLT, written as a percentage, indicates how much light can pass through a window tint, which influences visibility.
The lower the percentage, the less you'll see through the tint. That means you can hardly see through something like a 5% window tint, but a 70% tint lets you see inside a vehicle clearly. You'll find window tint materials ranging from:
For Pennsylvania, you'll likely need to stay at 70%. What VLT you can use will depend on your vehicle and if you have any exceptions. In general, Pennsylvania law says someone should be able to see the inside of the vehicle through the windshield, side wings and windows.
Most manufacturers use some degree of tinting in the glass of their windshields and windows. That glass can have a VLT between 70% and 85%. However, you won't find factory glass lower than 70% because of federal law. For drivers in Pennsylvania, that means you could add tint products to your windows if exceptions apply to you or if your car's tints aren't at 70% yet. Your specific requirements will depend on your specific vehicle.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) lays out the window tint laws for these different types of vehicles:
Pre-1998 Passenger Cars
Pennsylvania groups sedans, SUVs and any car that carries 15 passengers or less into the passenger cars category. If your passenger vehicle is from a year before 1998, you have to follow these window tint laws:
- Windshield: Pennsylvania tint laws require at least 70% light transmission for the windshield.
- Front seat windows and wings: 70% is the magic number again for any front seat windows or wings.
- Back seat windows and wings: Once again, your back seat windows and wings need to have 70% light transmission in their window tints.
- Rear window: The rules change for the rear window of pre-1998 cars. The Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission (VESC) created the VESC-20 performance requirement for sun screening. Those guidelines are now outdated, but Pennsylvania law adheres to them for pre-1998 cars. If your car has rear window tinting, you need a label between the window and the tint material that says, "Complies with VESC-20."
1998 and Newer Passenger Cars
If you have a sedan or SUV from 1998 or later, PA window tint laws are straightforward — your windshield, rear window, front seat and back seat windows all require 70% light transmission.
Trucks and Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicles
To the DOT, a multi-purpose vehicle features a truck chassis build or an off-road use design. If you have a multi-purpose passenger vehicle or a truck, you'll have to follow these Pennsylvania tint laws:
- Windshield: The windshield of your truck or multi-purpose vehicle must let 70% of light through.
- Front seat windows and wings: Your front side windows and wings must also let 70% of light through.
- Back seat windows and wings: There's no requirement for the back seat windows and wings in a truck or multi-purpose vehicle.
- Rear window: There's also no requirement for the window tint on your truck or multi-purpose vehicle's rear window.
Medium and Heavy Trucks and Buses
If you have a medium or heavy truck or bus, your window tint requirements are the same as trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. You need 70% light transmission for the windshield and front seat windows, and the back seat windows and rear window have no requirements.
All Other Vehicles
For all other vehicles that the DOT doesn't specify, follow the same guidelines for trucks, multi-purpose vehicles and buses. Use 70% window tint on the windshield and front windows, but there are no requirements for the back seat and rear windows.
Exceptions to Pennsylvania Tint Laws
Pennsylvania window tint laws feature medical exemptions, but those also have specific requirements. If you have a medical exemption, you have to use colorless window tint products. These products filter ultraviolet (UV) light but have a colorless appearance. When you fill out the application for medical window tint exemption, you'll provide information like:
- Your driver's license or photo ID number
- The make and year of your vehicle
- The VIN
- The registration plate
- The title number
- The windows you need to cover
The application form also includes a section for your doctor or optometrist to fill out. It'll consist of a description of your condition and what your doctor recommends for treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have any issues that lead to photosensitivity.
If you have a condition that would qualify for a medical exemption, you'll have to contact the DOT's Medical Unit. You can then learn more about what medical conditions the DOT offers exceptions to and if you should fill out and submit the application.
Specific vehicles also get exceptions from window tint requirements. Hearses, ambulances, government vehicles and other exempt vehicles can have darker window tints.
Get Window Tints With Rvinyl
If your vehicle doesn't have complete tint requirements under Pennsylvania law, choose Rvinyl window tint materials. Rvinyl combines style, affordability and personalization in our range of products. And because you can remove and change our products as much as you like, you can swap to different tints if your requirements change.
Take a look at our window tint kits or check out our automotive accessories and wraps to customize your car in other ways. If you have any questions about our products or how to install them, get in touch using our contact form.
Disclaimer: This information is not provided by legal professionals and is intended only to complement, and not to replace or contradict, any legal advice or information provided by your state or legal professionals. The information covered in this resource does not necessarily reflect those of Rvinyl and/or its affiliates. If you have any questions, please contact your local state authorities and/or an attorney or other legal professional.