Delaware Window Tint Laws 2026
Delaware changed its window tint law on August 17, 2026. Front side windows and the side wings ahead of the driver now need at least 50% visible light transmission, down from the old 70% standard that made Delaware one of the strictest states. Side windows behind the driver and the rear window have no minimum. The rule is in 21 Del. C. § 4313.
Most Delaware guides are out of date: Any source that says Delaware requires 70% on the front windows, or that you need a medical waiver to go below that, describes the law before Senate Substitute 1 for SB 255 took effect on August 17, 2026. The current statute text says 50%.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top edge, above AS-1 | Transparent only |
| Front side windows and side wings | 50% VLT minimum | Changed Aug 2026 |
| Side windows behind the driver | No minimum | 0% or greater |
| Rear window | No minimum | 0% or greater |
| Medical exemption | Signed practitioner statement | MD, DO or optometrist |
| Law enforcement vehicles | Exempt | § 4313(f) |
How the Limits Work
Section 4313(a) makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle on a public highway if the windshield, the side windows to the immediate right and left of the driver, the side wings forward of the driver, the side windows behind the driver, or the rear window don't meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 as it was in effect when the vehicle was made. The sections after that set what tint is allowed. Under (c)(1), tint on the front side windows and side wings is allowed if it has a visible light transmission of 50% or greater. Under (c)(2), tint of 0% or greater may be applied to the side windows behind the driver and the rear window, which is another way of saying there is no limit.
The statute words the 50% test as the "window tint or other material" having a visible light transmission of 50% or greater. It does not say whether that is measured on the film alone or on the glass and film together, and it sets no measurement tolerance or reflectance limit. To be safe, choose a film rated comfortably above 50% and ask your installer how they measure.
The Windshield
Tint or other material may be applied along the top edge of the windshield if it is transparent and does not encroach on the AS-1 portion of the windshield under FMVSS 205. The AS-1 line is the small marking etched into the glass by the manufacturer. No tint is allowed below it.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓50% or lighter tint on front side windows and side wings
- ✓Any darkness on side windows behind the driver
- ✓Any darkness on the rear window
- ✓A transparent top-edge strip above the AS-1 line
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows or side wings below 50% without a medical statement
- ✗Tint that reaches below the AS-1 line on the windshield
- ✗Non-transparent material along the top of the windshield
- ✗A shop installing tint that breaks § 4313
Fines and Penalties
An operator, owner or custodian of a vehicle operated in violation of the window glass sections is fined not less than $28.75 and not more than $100 under § 4315(d). Delaware also targets installers: under § 4313A, a person who installs tint commercially in violation of § 4313 faces a fine of $100 to $500 and must refund the installation fee to the vehicle owner as restitution.
Medical Exemptions
A person is not in violation of the section if they possess a statement signed by a licensed practitioner of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine, or optometry verifying that tinted windows are medically necessary for the owner or usual operator of the vehicle. The statute sets no darkness limit for exempt tint, and the statement is what you show if you are stopped. Keep it in the vehicle.
Who Else Is Exempt
Section 4313 does not apply to anodized glass correctly installed in the windshield and windows of an antique motor vehicle or street rod, or of a vehicle insured under an antique, classic or street rod designated insurance policy. It also does not apply to vehicles operated by law-enforcement officers.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Delaware
With the front limit now at 50%, Delaware owners can choose a noticeably darker front film than before, and the rear windows can be as dark as you like. Ceramic film is a common choice for heat and UV rejection at a given darkness.
| 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 CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Tint Enforcement by City
Wilmington
Delaware's largest city. Statewide rules apply.
Dover
The state capital. Statewide rules apply.
Newark
Near the Maryland and Pennsylvania borders, so check each state's rules if you drive across.
Rehoboth Beach and Lewes
Sussex County resort area, where the same statewide limits apply.
Middletown
New Castle County, statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Delaware 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.
Delaware tint law reference: 21 Del. C. § 4313, as amended by Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 255 (signed August 17, 2026), with penalties under §§ 4313A and 4315. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles or your local court before getting your windows tinted.