Kansas Window Tint Laws 2026
Kansas requires 35% total light transmission on front side windows, side windows behind the driver, and the rearmost window, all treated as one category under the same standard. This applies to every vehicle. There is no separate rule for SUVs, vans, or trucks, despite what a couple of tint guides claim.
A claim to be skeptical of: A couple of guides say Kansas SUVs and vans get unlimited darkness behind the driver. K.S.A. 8-1749a doesn't contain that exception, the side windows behind the driver and the rearmost window are covered by the exact same 35% clause as the front, for every vehicle type.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective, top strip only, above AS1 line | No red, yellow, amber |
| Front side windows | 35% total transmission | Every vehicle |
| Side windows behind driver | 35% total transmission | No SUV exception |
| Rearmost window | 35% total transmission | No SUV exception |
One Standard, Every Window, Every Vehicle
K.S.A. 8-1749a(a)(2) covers "the side wings or side windows located at the immediate right and left of the driver, the side windows behind the driver and the rear most window" together in a single clause, requiring all of them to be nonreflective. Subsection (a)(3) then sets the darkness floor: total light transmission shall not be less than 35% wherever a sun screening device is used with the safety glazing. Because these subsections don't distinguish by vehicle type anywhere in the text, the 35% standard applies the same way to a sedan, an SUV, a van, or a pickup.
The only vehicle-type exception in the entire statute is for law enforcement vehicles clearly identified as such, which are exempt from the 35% requirement specifically.
The Windshield
Subsection (a)(1) permits a sun screening device on the windshield only along the top, not extending downward beyond the AS1 line, which is clearly defined and marked on the glass. It must be nonreflective and cannot be red, yellow, or amber in color. No darkness is permitted below that line.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓35%+ total transmission on any window, any vehicle
- ✓Nonreflective strip above the AS1 line on the windshield
- ✓Labels, stickers, or informational signs permitted by other state law
- ✓Any tint on a clearly identified law enforcement vehicle
Illegal
- ✕Any window, front or rear, reading below 35% total transmission
- ✕Reflective or mirror-finish film on any window
- ✕Red, yellow, or amber tint on the windshield strip
- ✕Windshield tint extending below the AS1 line
Reflectivity: No Percentage, Just "Nonreflective"
Kansas doesn't set a specific reflectivity percentage the way many states do. The statute simply requires sun screening material to be nonreflective on every covered window, a flat qualitative standard rather than a numeric cap. In practice, a film with a mirror-like or metallic finish is non-compliant regardless of its measured reflectance figure.
The Medical Exemption Question
This is genuinely unsettled, and worth being honest about rather than repeating a confident answer that might not hold up. K.S.A. 8-1749a itself doesn't contain a medical exemption clause for darker tint in the text of the statute. Some sources describe an informal path involving clear, colorless UV-blocking film paired with a physician or optometrist statement, but this appears to function more as a definitional question, whether a particular clear film even counts as a regulated "sun screening device" in the first place, rather than a formal exemption process granting permission for genuinely darker tint. If a documented medical need is factoring into your decision, confirm directly with Kansas Highway Patrol or the Department of Revenue rather than relying on a specific process described secondhand.
Enforcement
Tint is a primary offense in Kansas. Highway Patrol and local departments can stop a vehicle based on tint appearance alone. A violation of 8-1749a is a misdemeanor, though the statute doesn't specify a particular class or a fixed dollar amount, so fines vary by jurisdiction. The Superintendent of the Highway Patrol has authority to adopt rules and regulations to carry out the statute's provisions.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Kansas
Since the 35% floor applies uniformly across the entire vehicle, most Kansas installs run a consistent shade front to back rather than a sharp clear-front, dark-rear contrast. Many factory SUVs and trucks ship with rear privacy glass in the 15% to 25% VLT range from the manufacturer, which is a separate question from what aftermarket film can legally be added on top. Ceramic film is a common upgrade for UV and infrared rejection at any given VLT.
| 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
Wichita
Wichita PD and Kansas Highway Patrol both enforce, I-35 and I-135 see regular patrol presence.
Overland Park
Kansas City metro, I-35 and I-435 corridors, consistent statewide 35% rule applies.
Topeka
State capital, I-70 corridor, home to the Kansas Department of Revenue offices.
Olathe
Kansas City metro suburb, standard statewide enforcement pattern.
Lawrence
I-70 corridor, university-area traffic density adds to routine enforcement stops.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Kansas 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.
Kansas tint law reference: K.S.A. 8-1749a, enacted 1987. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with Kansas Highway Patrol before getting your windows tinted.