North Dakota Car Window Tint Laws (Updated)

Car tint laws will vary from state to state. If you’re thinking of putting tint on your vehicle in the state of North Dakota, you may be wondering what the car tint laws are?

Quick Answer

North Dakota car tint laws are as follows:

• Front Windshield – must have a light transmittance of 70% or more.
• Front side windows – Must have a light transmittance of 50% or more.
• Rear side windows – no restrictions on tint.
• Rear windshield – no restrictions on tint.
• All tint material must be non-reflective.

So, what exactly does the law say about car window tint? Which windows can be tinted? We’ll break down each window and its tint restrictions.

Window Tinting in North Dakota – What Does the Law Say?

If you’re worried about fines and tickets concerning your window tint, we don’t blame you! We’ll discuss each window in detail so you can avoid any hassle.

Can Windows Be Tinted in North Dakota?

Does North Dakota law allow windows to be tinted? They do, but there are certain light transmittance percentages that you must adhere to so your vehicle can remain legal.

All windows can be tinted: In North Dakota, all windows can be tinted. This is pretty unusual as there are typically stipulations against tinting the windshield. But in North Dakota, even the windshield can be tinted. You’ll have to adhere to certain light transmittance guidelines, which we’ll discuss in further detail below. Not all windows can be tinted the same darkness, so be sure to know how dark each window can be.

What Windows Can Be Tinted in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, all the windows on your vehicle can be tinted to a certain degree, even the windshield. In most states, the windshield must remain clear and transparent except above the AS-1 line. However, in North Dakota, even the front windshield can be tinted. Let’s break down each window:

Front Windshield: The front windshield can be tinted. It must allow at least 70% light transmittance to remain within the law. There’s no need to worry about your AS-1 line or any 5-inch rule for tinting. The entire windshield can be tinted dark enough so that 70% or more light can be transmitted.

Back Windshield: According to Chapter 39-21-39 of the North Dakota Code, the back windshield must allow at least 50% light transmittance. However, if your car is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, this tint restriction is lifted and you may tint your rear windshield as dark as you like. Since almost all cars nowadays are manufactured with these side-view mirrors, you can almost guarantee you are able to tint your back windshield.

Driver and Passenger Windows: Chapter 39-21-39 explains that the windows immediately to the right and left of the driver must allow 50% light transmittance or more. Even if your vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, the 50% rule still applies to the driver and passenger windows.

Rear Side Windows: For the windows behind the driver and passenger, the tint laws are the same as for the rear windshield. It must allow 50% or more light transmittance to remain legal. However, this rule does not apply to vehicles that are equipped with an outside mirror on each side.

Restricted Colors: Chapter 39-21 discusses equipment of vehicles such as tint, lamps, and safety glazing. No restrictions on colors are discussed in this chapter.

North Dakota Window Tint Law Medical Exemption

Many states allow for darker window tint than the legal limit if the person who operates the vehicle has a medical condition that requires more protection from the sun.

This can also apply to the legal guardian of someone who has a medical condition. In most cases, the exemption is granted by state police or the DMV.

In North Dakota, they do not allow any medical exemptions to allow for darker tint on your vehicle’s windows. Medical exemptions are only given for seat belt restraints.

Frequently Asked Questions About North Dakota Car Window Tinting Laws

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions asked about North Dakota’s car window tinting laws.

What does VLT mean according to North Dakota state law? Typically, each state has its own definition of VLT, which translates to visible light transmission. The state of North Dakota does not specify exactly what this means, but in general, it refers to how much light is transmitted through the glazing material.

How much does car window tinting cost in North Dakota? In the state of North Dakota, the average cost to tint a four-door sedan is around $206. The price will vary depending on where you live and how professional you want your tint to look. In general, prices vary between $188-$224.

How dark can your windows be in North Dakota? It all depends on which window you’re talking about. The front windshield and front side windows are restricted in terms of light transmittance. However, if your vehicle has an outside mirror on both sides, you can tint your rear windshield and rear side windows as dark as you like.

Is reflective or colored tint legal in North Dakota? Reflective tint makes your windows appear mirrored or metallic. This type of tint is now allowed according to North Dakota law. However, in terms of colored tint, North Dakota does not have any specific restrictions. So, you can have whatever color tint you like on your vehicle.

Can you get a ticket for tinted windows in North Dakota? North Dakota law does not specifically define the penalties for having window tint that is too dark. However, according to Chapter 39-06.1-06, noncriminal infractions can result in a fine of $20 if it is a nonmoving violation. So, if you get pulled over for having window tint that is too dark, you can probably expect a fine of $20 for each offense.

Wrap Up

Now that you know the window tint laws in North Dakota, you can easily avoid hassle and headaches and keep your windows within the legal tint limit.