Arizona Window Tint Laws — 2026 Guide
What ARS §28-959.01 actually says about VLT limits, reflectivity, prohibited colors, and the medical exemption — explained plainly by the shop that keeps every Yuma install street-legal.
What ARS §28-959.01 actually says about VLT limits, reflectivity, prohibited colors, and the medical exemption — explained plainly by the shop that keeps every Yuma install street-legal.
ARS §28-959.01
VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is the percentage of light allowed through the glass. A lower number means a darker tint.
| Window | AZ Law (VLT) | Frank & Son Note |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective tint on top 5 inches (AS-1 line) only | No tint below the AS-1 line — we don't go there. |
| Front side windows | More than 33% VLT required | Commonly installed at 35% or higher. We meter every install. |
| Rear side windows | Any darkness allowed | Popular choices: 20%, 15%, or limo 5% for max privacy. |
| Rear window | Any darkness allowed | Dual side mirrors required if rear window is tinted. |
| All windows | Max 35% reflectivity | No mirror-like or highly reflective film statewide. |
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes §28-959.01. Laws can change — confirm current requirements before your install. We stay current so you don't have to.
Five rules to know
No window on the vehicle may reflect more than 35% of light. Highly mirror-like film is illegal statewide, even on rear windows.
Tint is only allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield (at or above the manufacturer's AS-1 line). No exceptions below that line.
The driver and front passenger windows must allow more than 33% of visible light through the glass. This is the most commonly misunderstood rule.
Arizona places no VLT minimum on rear side windows or the rear window. You can go as dark as you want — including limo tint. If the rear window is tinted, you must have functioning dual outside mirrors.
Arizona law bans tinted film in red, amber, or yellow shades on any vehicle window. Clear, charcoal, carbon, and neutral colors are all permitted.
Arizona allows darker tint on front windows — including below 33% VLT — if a licensed physician certifies that you have a medical condition requiring reduced light exposure (such as lupus, photosensitivity disorders, or post-surgical eye conditions). You must carry the signed documentation in your vehicle at all times. Ask us about medical-exemption installs — we'll confirm what documentation is required and install accordingly.
Questions
You can be stopped if an officer has reasonable suspicion that your front windows are below the legal limit. In practice, most stops for tint involve front side windows that look darker than 33% VLT. Rear windows at any darkness are not grounds for a stop on their own. The safest approach: have us meter your tint before you drive — we confirm legal compliance on every install we do. A violation under ARS §28-959.01 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
35% VLT is a medium-dark shade — you can clearly see into the vehicle in daylight but the glass looks noticeably tinted. It cuts meaningful glare and heat while remaining above Arizona's 33% minimum for front windows. Use our tint visualizer on the home page to see exactly how different VLT levels look on your vehicle type.
No — not without a valid medical exemption. Arizona law requires that front side windows (driver and front passenger) allow more than 33% of visible light to pass through. If you have a qualifying medical condition, a physician can provide documentation allowing darker film on those windows. Without that documentation, any film at or below 33% on front windows is illegal.
Arizona does not require a certification sticker between the film and glass the way some other states do. However, if you have a medical exemption that allows darker-than-legal tint on front windows, you must keep the physician's documentation in the vehicle at all times so you can produce it during a stop. Standard legal installs require no sticker.
Get started
Call the oldest tint shop in Yuma. We'll confirm the right film and darkness for every window on your vehicle — all within Arizona law.
Call (928) 919-61782631 S Arizona Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364 · Open Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM