South Dakota Window Tint Laws 2026
South Dakota's rules are in SDCL 32-15-2.4, 32-15-2.5 and 32-15-2.9. The front windows must keep a combined light transmittance of at least 35%, and the rear windows behind the operator's seat must keep at least 20%. Both limits carry a nine percent enforcement tolerance. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and the statutes list no medical exemption.
The limits are measured on the finished window: the statute defines the readings by the combined transmittance of the film and the glass. The nine percent enforcement tolerance is in the statute, but it doesn't say how it is applied, so shop for 35% in front and 20% behind.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Front windshield | 35% combined; film above AS-1 | Not below sun visor line |
| Front side windows and wing vents | 35% VLT minimum | 9% tolerance |
| Rear windows behind the operator's seat | 20% VLT minimum | 9% tolerance |
| Mirrored or reflective finish | Not addressed | Transmittance still applies |
| Medical exemption | None found | Not in statute |
How the Limits Work
SDCL 32-15-2.4 bars any one-way glass, adhesive film, other glaze or application on the front windshield, side wing vents or side windows forward of or adjacent to the operator's seat that reduces light transmittance to a combined level below 35%, with an enforcement tolerance of nine percent. SDCL 32-15-2.5 sets the same kind of rule for the rear windows behind the operator's seat, with a 20% floor and the same tolerance. Both apply to motor vehicles required to be registered in South Dakota and operated on its highways.
The statutes define light transmission as the ratio of the light passing through a product or material, including the glazing, to the light striking it. The glass therefore counts toward the reading. A film that is rated above the limit on its own can still fail once it sits on factory-tinted glass, so have the finished window metered.
The Windshield
SDCL 32-15-2.9 says no sunscreening device may be placed on or affixed to a windshield so as to obstruct or reduce the driver's clear view through it, and no film may extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than the lowest point of the sun visor. In practice that confines windshield film to a strip along the top.
Rear Windows and Vehicle Types
The rear-window limit applies to the windows behind the operator's seat. The statutes list no exemption for SUVs, vans, trucks or any other vehicle type and don't require outside mirrors, so every vehicle registered in the state is held to the same 35% front and 20% rear figures.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓Front windows that keep a combined 35% or higher
- ✓Rear windows behind the operator's seat that keep 20% or higher
- ✓Windshield film that stays above the AS-1 line and the lowest point of the sun visor
Illegal
- ✗Front windows that read below the limit, once the tolerance is used up
- ✗Rear windows darker than the 20% limit
- ✗Windshield film that extends below the AS-1 line or the lowest point of the sun visor
- ✗Any film that obstructs the driver's clear view through the windshield
What the Statutes Don't Cover
The South Dakota statutes set light transmittance figures and nothing more on side and rear glass. They name no banned colors and no reflectance limit, require no outside mirrors, and list no medical exemption. Film manufacturers must certify to the Department of Public Safety that their products meet the light transmission specifications, so use film from a manufacturer that does.
Fines and Penalties
A violation of SDCL 32-15-2.4, 2.5 or 2.9 is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Under SDCL 22-6-2, the maximum for a Class 2 misdemeanor is 30 days in county jail, a $500 fine, or both. An officer who cites a violation of 2.4 or 2.5 must record the meter's serial number and certification date on the citation, and the meter must be used according to the manufacturer's testing procedure.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in South Dakota
Because the front limit is measured with the glass, the film itself usually has to be rated above 35% VLT to leave the finished window at or over the limit, while the rear windows can take a darker film down to 20%. Ceramic film is a popular choice for UV and heat rejection through hot summers. Ask the installer to meter the finished windows before you pay.
| 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
Sioux Falls
South Dakota's largest city. Statewide rules apply.
Rapid City
The Black Hills region, where the same statewide rules apply.
Aberdeen
Northeastern South Dakota, standard statewide rules apply.
Brookings
Eastern South Dakota, standard statewide rules apply.
Pierre
The state capital. Statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
South Dakota 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.
South Dakota tint law reference: SDCL §§ 32-15-2.4, 32-15-2.5, 32-15-2.9, Windshield and window sunscreening. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the South Dakota Highway Patrol or your local law enforcement before getting your windows tinted.