Hawaii Window Tint Laws 2026
Hawaii's tint rules sit in HRS § 291-21.5, which was rewritten by Act 129 in May 2025. Front side windows and wing vents need 35% light transmittance, plus or minus 6%. Rear windows and the side windows behind the driver have no darkness limit as long as the vehicle has rearview mirrors on both sides. Mirrored or highly reflective finishes that look red, yellow, amber or blue are banned, you must roll your windows down at a traffic stop, and fines are now $300 to $550 for owners.
Pre-2025 guides get this wrong: Older sources say Hawaii requires 35% on the rear windows too and list $250 to $500 fines. Act 129, approved May 29, 2025, exempts rear windows and rear side windows when both side mirrors are present and raised the fines to $300 to $550 for owners and $700 to $1,200 for installers.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top edge: above AS-1 or within 4" | Transparent film |
| Front side windows and wing vents | 35% VLT ±6% | With glazing |
| Side windows behind the driver | No limit | Needs both side mirrors |
| Rear window and rear windshield | No limit | Needs both side mirrors |
| Reflective and colored finishes | Red, yellow, amber, blue banned | Mirrored or high reflective |
| Roll-down at stops | Required | Non-criminal infraction |
How the Limits Work
Under HRS § 291-21.5, sun screening devices on the front side wing vents and windows must have a light transmittance, used together with the glazing material, of no less than 35% plus or minus 6%. The statute states the tolerance as plus or minus 6% without spelling out how an inspector applies it, so the safest choice is a film that reads 35% or lighter combined with your glass.
After Act 129, rear windows, including the rear windshield, on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks, buses and other motor vehicles are carved out of the darkness requirement, as are side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans, vans, minivans, trucks and buses. The condition is that the vehicle is equipped with rearview mirrors on both sides.
The Windshield
Transparent sun screening film may be installed along the top edge of the windshield so long as it does not encroach upon the AS-1 portion of the windshield under FMVSS 205, or no lower than four inches below the top of the windshield. Transparent material on the AS-1 portion that meets FMVSS 205 is also permitted. Small stickers are allowed in limited spots, a seven-inch square in the far corner and a five-inch square in the near corner.
Mirrored, Reflective and Colored Tint
Act 129 prohibits installing sun screening devices with mirrored or highly reflective finishes that produce a red, yellow, amber or blue appearance. The Department of Transportation may adopt rules setting enforcement criteria for tint color and reflectivity, so ask your installer which films meet current standards.
Roll Your Windows Down at a Stop
All drivers and passengers of vehicles with applied tint must fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop. The exception is a person who is unable to because of a physical disability or mechanical failure and who communicates reasonably with the officer. Not complying is a noncriminal traffic infraction.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓Front side windows and wing vents at 35% VLT, within the plus or minus 6% range
- ✓Any darkness on rear windows and rear side windows, with mirrors on both sides
- ✓Transparent film on the top edge of the windshield
- ✓Interior privacy drapes in a motor home
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows darker than the 35% standard
- ✗Mirrored or highly reflective film that looks red, yellow, amber or blue
- ✗Dark rear tint on a vehicle without rearview mirrors on both sides
- ✗Keeping windows up at a traffic stop
Fines and Penalties
A vehicle owner who violates the section faces a fine of no less than $300 and no more than $550 for each separate offense. An installer faces no less than $700 and no more than $1,200 for each offense, and must reinstall compliant film free of charge or reimburse the owner. The installer must issue a certificate at installation, and the certificate must be stored in the vehicle at all times. If it is missing when you are cited, that is prima facie evidence the installer did not comply. Act 129 also requires safety inspections to test that glazing and sun screening devices comply, and told the Department of Transportation to notify inspection stations of the changes within 90 days.
Medical Exemptions
Hawaii's statute has no medical exemption for window tint. Bills to add one, including HB 368 (20% with physician documentation every two years), died in the legislature, and I found no sign that bills to lower the general limit or repeal the rules were enacted. People with a light-sensitivity condition cannot go darker than the limits above on the front windows, though the rear windows are already unrestricted when both side mirrors are present.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Hawaii
With the front limit at 35% and the rear glass unrestricted, a typical Hawaii setup is a moderate film on the front and a much darker film on the back. Ceramic film is popular because of the strong sun and heat, since it rejects infrared without going darker on the driver's windows.
| 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
Honolulu
Oahu's statewide rules apply, including the roll-down requirement at traffic stops.
Kailua and Kaneohe
Windward Oahu, where the same statewide rules apply.
Hilo and Kona
Island of Hawaii, standard statewide rules apply.
Kahului and Lahaina
Maui, standard statewide rules apply.
Lihue
Kauai, standard statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Hawaii 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.
Hawaii tint law reference: HRS § 291-21.5, as amended by Act 129 (HB 226), approved May 29, 2025. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Hawaii Department of Transportation or your local safety inspection station before getting your windows tinted.