Alabama Car Window Tint Laws (Updated)

Car tint laws can vary from state to state. If you live in Alabama and are planning to tint your car windows, you may be wondering what Alabama’s car tint laws are?

Quick Answer

Alabama car tint laws are as follows:

• Front windshield – cannot be tinted except upper six inches.
• Front side windows – must allow 32% or more light transmittance
• Rear windshield – must allow 32% or more light transmittance
• Rear side windows – must allow 32% or more light transmittance
• Reflectivity cannot be more than 20%

If those numbers sound confusing, don’t worry. We’ll cover every window and explain exactly what we mean by light transmittance and reflectivity

Window Tinting in Alabama – What Does the Law Say?

Alabama’s car tint laws are pretty straightforward. They don’t have separate tint requirements for each window, the exception being the windshield. Let’s take a look at what the law says.

Can Windows Be Tinted in Alabama?

So, are windows even allowed to be tinted in Alabama? The answer is yes, to a certain degree. Here’s what it boils down to:

Front windshield cannot be tinted: The front windshield must remain clear and transparent. The only exception is a six-inch strip at the very top of the windshield. This area may be tinted, but the tint has to be non-reflective.

All other windows can be tinted: The front side windows, backside windows, and rear windshield can be tinted. For certain utility vehicles, the tint on the rear windows can be any shade, but for sedans there are restrictions.

What Windows Can Be Tinted in Alabama?

So, which windows can be tinted and which can’t? The nice thing about Alabama’s car tint laws is that there is a 3% variance allowed on tint, so you have a bit of wiggle room. In general, the only number you need to know for Alabama’s tint laws is 32%. It’s also important to note that if you have darker tint installed than what the manufacturers of the car have installed, you’ll need to display a compliance sticker affixed by the tinting dealer.

Front Windshield: The front windshield can be tinted along the top six inches of the windshield. Otherwise, it must be clear and transparent for the safety of the driver. For the six-inch strip, the tint color and shade are not defined by Alabama’s laws, except that the tint must be non-reflective.

Back Windshield: The rear windshield of the vehicle must allow at least 32% light transmittance to remain legal. This doesn’t apply to multipurpose recreational and passenger vehicles, which may have a darker tint. Alabama state law allows for a 3% tolerance for car tint, meaning 29% tint is still within the law.

Driver and Passenger Windows: The windows to the immediate left and right of the driver have the same tint allowance as the rear windshield. It must allow at least 32% light transmittance. Even on multipurpose vehicles, this number remains the same for the front side windows. The windows must be no more than 20% reflective as well.

Back Side Windows: The windows located behind the driver and passenger must allow at least 32% light transmittance for passenger cars/sedans. Similar to the rule for the back windshield, multipurpose vehicles may have darker tint on their rear side windows. The backside window of all vehicles cannot be more than 20% reflective.

Restricted Colors: According to Title 32 of the Alabama Code, there are no restrictions on colored tint except for the windshield strip, which cannot be amber or red.

Alabama Window Tint Law Medical Exemption

In many states, those with medical conditions such as light-induced porphyria can obtain a medical waiver that exempts them from the state’s window tint laws. Alabama allows for a medical exemption. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Must Be Signed by A Physician: A physician who is licensed to practice in the state of Alabama must provide a written statement that explains the medical condition and need for darker window tinting.

Send To ALEA: The written statement must be sent to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). It should be received by the driver license division and medical records unit, which can process the request

Pay Fee: You may have to pay a fee to receive the necessary paperwork to legally tint your vehicle’s windows darker than state law allows. This is a processing fee as well as payment for a unique identifier that you will receive once your application is approved.

Display Decal: Once the medical exemption is approved, the person(s) with the medical condition will be issued a decal with a unique identification number. This must be placed o the windshield of each vehicle operated or occupied by the exempt individual.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Car Window Tinting Laws

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Alabama car window tinting laws.

What does VLT mean according to Alabama state law? VLT stands for visible light transmission. According to Alabama state law, VLT is defined as “the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, which is allowed to pass through a surface to the amount of light falling on the surface.”

How much does car window tinting cost in Alabama? On average, to tint a four-door sedan in Alabama, it’ll cost you around $205. This is the average, with prices ranging from $187-$223. The price will vary depending on where you live and the level of professionalism you are aiming for.

How dark can your windows be in Alabama? For regular passenger vehicles, the darkest tint allowed is 32% light transmittance. However, with the 3% tolerance, you can get away with 29% light transmittance and remain legal. These numbers don’t apply to multipurpose passenger and recreational vehicles, which may have a darker tint.

Is reflective or colored tint legal in Alabama? Reflective tint is legal in Alabama, but you cannot have a reflectivity of more than 20%. This is defined as the ratio of total light reflected outward by a product to the amount of light falling on the product. In terms of color, no restrictions are defined.

Can you get a ticket for tinted windows in Alabama? For the first offense, you can be fined up to $100 and/or put in jail for no more than 10 days. The second offense is $200 and/or 30 days imprisonment. The third offense can get you a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail sentence of not more than 3 months.

Wrap Up

Knowing your state’s car window tint laws can save you hassle and headaches, as well as fines and possible jail time. So, make sure you know your state’s laws to stay legal!