Last updated August 2026

Tennessee Window Tint Laws 2026

Tennessee requires 35% VLT on front side windows for every vehicle type. On sedans, that same 35% floor also covers the back side and rear windows, no unlimited-darkness option for passenger cars. SUVs, vans, trucks, and other multipurpose vehicles are the exception, with no VLT restriction at all on the rear glass.

Worth knowing: Tennessee treats illegal tint as a Class C misdemeanor, not a civil ticket. The maximum statutory penalty is 30 days in jail and a $50 fine, though jail time is virtually never imposed for a first offense.

Quick Reference

Window	Sedan	SUV / Van / Truck
Windshield	Non-reflective strip above AS-1 line
Front side windows	35% VLT	35% VLT
Back side windows	35% VLT	Any darkness
Rear window	35% VLT	Any darkness

How Dark Can Your Tint Actually Be

35% VLT gives Tennessee drivers a moderate, genuinely useful shade, matching neighboring North Carolina and putting Tennessee in the middle of the pack nationally. The rule applies identically to front side windows on every vehicle type.

The sedan-versus-SUV split matters most for what happens behind the driver. Sedan owners must keep the back side and rear windows at that same 35% floor, no unlimited-darkness option exists for passenger cars. SUVs, vans, trucks, and other multipurpose vehicles are exempt from this rule on rear glass, meaning true limo-dark tint is completely legal back there.

The windshield only permits a non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line. No tint of any kind is allowed below that line.

Legal vs Illegal

Legal

✓35%+ VLT film on front side windows, any vehicle
✓35%+ VLT on sedan back side and rear windows
✓Any darkness on SUV, van, or truck rear windows
✓Non-reflective strip above the AS-1 line on windshield

Illegal

✕Front side film below 35% VLT without exemption
✕Dark rear windows on a sedan below 35% VLT
✕Reflectivity above 20% on any window
✕Red or amber tint on any window

Reflectivity and Color Rules

Reflectivity

Tennessee caps reflectivity at 20% on front and back side windows, and highly mirrored or metallic finishes are prohibited outright.

Restricted colors

Red and amber tints are banned on any window, since these colors can be confused with emergency vehicle equipment or traffic signals.

Fines and Penalties

A violation under T.C.A. 55-9-107 is a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest misdemeanor tier in Tennessee. The maximum statutory penalty is 30 days in jail and a $50 fine, though jail time is virtually never imposed for a first offense, real-world outcomes typically land closer to a modest fine plus court costs.

Violation	Classification	Typical Outcome
Illegal tint	Class C misdemeanor	Fine up to $50, plus court costs, jail rarely imposed

Medical Exemptions

How the exemption works

Tennessee grants medical exemptions for documented conditions such as light sensitivity or certain ocular diseases. A licensed physician provides a certificate describing the medical necessity for additional tint, and the certificate is submitted to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for review and approval. The approved documentation must be carried in the vehicle at all times and produced during a stop if requested.

Enforcement: What Actually Happens on the Road

Tint is a primary offense in Tennessee. Tennessee Highway Patrol, Memphis PD, Nashville Metro PD, and every local department can stop a vehicle based on tint appearance alone using a handheld meter. Since sedan and SUV rules differ on rear glass, officers typically check both front and rear readings together against the correct standard for that vehicle type.

What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Tennessee

Since sedan owners must keep every window near 35%, a common Tennessee setup runs a uniform ceramic film front to back rather than a sharp clear-front, dark-rear contrast. Nano-ceramic film is a popular upgrade choice given Tennessee's hot, humid summers.

Film Type	Sedan	SUV / Truck
Dyed film	$130 to $250	$190 to $360
Carbon film	$190 to $310	$250 to $400
Ceramic film	$220 to $420	$310 to $570

Use the calculator to get an estimate specific to your vehicle before contacting any shop.

Free Tint Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal tint limit in Tennessee?+

35% VLT on front side windows for every vehicle type. On sedans, that same 35% minimum also applies to the back side and rear windows. SUVs, vans, trucks, and other multipurpose vehicles get unlimited darkness on the rear windows.

Can rear windows be any darkness on a Tennessee sedan?+

No. Sedan back side windows and the rear window must meet the same 35% VLT floor as the front. Only SUVs, vans, trucks, and other multipurpose vehicles are exempt from this rule on rear glass.

Is illegal tint a misdemeanor in Tennessee?+

Yes. A violation under T.C.A. 55-9-107 is a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest misdemeanor tier in Tennessee, carrying a maximum statutory penalty of 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $50, though jail time is rarely imposed for a first offense.

Does Tennessee offer a medical exemption for window tint?+

Yes. A licensed physician provides a certificate documenting the medical necessity for darker tint, which is submitted to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for review and approval. The approved documentation must be carried in the vehicle at all times.

Is reflective tint legal in Tennessee?+

No. Reflectivity is capped at 20% on front and back side windows, and highly mirrored or metallic finishes are prohibited outright.

Tint Enforcement by City

Nashville

Nashville Metro PD and Tennessee Highway Patrol both actively enforce. I-40, I-24, and I-65 are commonly cited corridors.

Memphis

I-40 and I-55 corridors see regular patrol presence, Memphis PD carries meters as standard equipment.

Knoxville

I-40 and I-75 corridor enforcement, standard statewide procedure applies.

Chattanooga

I-24 and I-75 corridor enforcement, consistent with the statewide 35% rule.

Clarksville

I-24 corridor near the Kentucky border, standard statewide procedure applies.

Window Tint Laws by State

Tennessee tint law is one piece of a bigger picture. Every state sets its own VLT limits, and they vary more than most drivers expect. Browse the full directory below.

California Texas Florida New York Georgia Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio North Carolina Michigan Arizona Nevada Virginia Washington Colorado New Jersey Tennessee Alabama Alaska Arkansas Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Utah Vermont West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming View Tint Laws Hub →

Tennessee tint law reference: T.C.A. 55-9-107. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security before getting your windows tinted.