Arkansas Window Tint Laws 2026
Arkansas sets its limits in Ark. Code § 27-37-306. Side windows beside the driver and immediately behind the driver need at least 25% net light transmission, and the rearmost window needs at least 10%. Trucks, buses, trailers, motor homes and multiple purpose passenger vehicles can go to 10% on the side windows behind the driver. The windshield may have only a top-edge strip of five inches, and the installer must put a label on the vehicle.
What the statute does not say: § 27-37-306 has no mirror or reflectance rule, no color restriction and no dual-side-mirror requirement, and it doesn't define how net light transmission is measured. Guides that list those rules for Arkansas are adding them from outside the statute.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top strip, 5" max | Eyebrow only |
| Side windows beside and immediately behind driver | 25% net light transmission | Cars |
| Side windows behind driver: truck, bus, trailer, motor home, MPV | 10% net light transmission | Darker allowance |
| Rearmost window | 10% net light transmission | All vehicles |
| Installer label | Name and phone number | Required |
| Medical exemption | 20% sides, 10% rear, 50% windshield | 3-year certificate |
How the Limits Work
Arkansas Code § 27-37-306 starts by making it unlawful to operate a vehicle on public highways if aftermarket tinting material, together with striping material, has been applied to any windows, then lists what is allowed on 1994 and later model vehicles. The side windows and side wings on the immediate right or left of the driver, or immediately behind the driver, may carry tint that results in at least 25% net light transmission. The rearmost window may go to 10%.
For any truck, bus, trailer, motor home or multiple purpose passenger vehicle, the side windows immediately behind the driver may also be covered down to 10%. The statute doesn't list SUVs by name, so an SUV gets that allowance only if it is classified as a multiple purpose passenger vehicle.
The Windshield
The glass immediately in front of the operator may have a strip of tinting material applied to the top edge, known in the industry as an eyebrow, but it may not extend downward more than five inches from the top center of the windshield. The statute uses a flat five-inch measurement rather than the AS-1 line.
The Installer Label
Any vehicle operated on Arkansas roads with aftermarket tint on any glass must have a label attached to the front glass immediately to the operator's left. It carries the name and phone number of the company installing the tint and affirms that all tinting on the vehicle conforms to the section. Ask your installer to apply it, and keep your receipt.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓25% or lighter on side windows beside and immediately behind the driver
- ✓10% or lighter on the rearmost window
- ✓10% on side windows behind the driver of a truck, bus, trailer, motor home or MPV
- ✓A windshield strip up to five inches from the top center
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows below 25% without a medical certificate
- ✗Side windows immediately behind the driver on a car below 25%
- ✗Windshield tint deeper than five inches from the top
- ✗Aftermarket tint with no installer label on the front glass
Fines and Penalties
A violation of the tint section is a Class B misdemeanor. Under Ark. Code § 5-4-201, the fine for a Class B misdemeanor cannot exceed $1,000. The amount actually charged is set by the court that hears the citation.
Who Is Exempt
The statute does not apply to motorists operating vehicles registered in other states that have enacted their own legislation regulating the shading of windshields or windows, or to vehicles used exclusively or primarily to transport dead human bodies. Law enforcement vehicles may have windshields tinted to at least 50% net light transmission. A separate section, § 27-37-307, allows chauffeur-driven sedans licensed as automobiles for hire to carry darker tint, with rear passenger doors at 15%, the rear windshield at 10% and front passenger doors at 25%.
Older Vehicles
The statute also addresses 1993 and older model vehicles that had not had aftermarket tint applied under earlier law. When ownership of one of those vehicles transfers, it must comply with the current standards or have non-compliant tint removed. Most drivers will never need this, but it matters if you are buying a very old car with existing tint.
Medical Exemptions
A physician can certify a person with a diagnosed condition, such as albinism or lupus, where an exemption is in the best interest of the motorist. With that certification, the side windows beside and behind the driver may go to 20%, the rearmost window to 10%, and the front windshield to 50% net light transmission. The certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue, and the motorist must carry it in the vehicle.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Arkansas
With 25% on the front and side windows and 10% on the rear glass, most Arkansas installs use a moderate film on the sides and a darker film on the rearmost window. Ceramic film is a common upgrade for heat rejection, which matters in a hot, humid summer.
| 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
Little Rock
The state capital and largest city. Statewide limits apply.
Fayetteville and Bentonville
Northwest Arkansas metro, where the same statewide limits apply.
Fort Smith
Near the Oklahoma border, so check both states' rules if you drive across.
Jonesboro
Northeast Arkansas, standard statewide rules apply.
Texarkana
Straddles the Texas border, where the two states' tint rules differ.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Arkansas 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.
Arkansas tint law reference: Ark. Code § 27-37-306, with § 27-37-307 for chauffeur-driven sedans and § 5-4-201 for fines. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your local court or a licensed installer before getting your windows tinted.