Mississippi Window Tint Laws 2026
Mississippi sets one number, 28% VLT, and it applies to every window on a standard car. Compliance is shown with a certification label on the lower left corner of the windshield, or with a medical exemption certificate on the dashboard. The windshield itself can't be tinted except for a factory-style sun shield strip, and mirrored finishes are banned. Windows behind the front doors on pickups, vans, SUVs and similar vehicles get a separate federal-rule allowance. The 2026 update (SB 2453, effective July 1, 2026) added optometrists to the medical exemption.
What the statute does not say: Mississippi Code § 63-7-59 gives no reflectance percentage for the mirrored-finish ban and no inch measurement for the windshield sun shield area. Guides that quote a specific reflectance figure or a 4-inch or 6-inch strip are adding detail the statute does not contain.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | No tint except sun shield area | Federal-style strip only |
| Front and rear windows, sedans | 28% VLT or lighter | Label required |
| Behind front doors, pickup / van / SUV / MPV / RV | Federal minimum for that window | Statutory exemption |
| Mirrored finish | Banned | No percentage in statute |
| Medical exemption | Certificate on dashboard | Physician or optometrist |
The 28% Rule and the Windshield Label
Under Mississippi Code § 63-7-59, a vehicle must display a label certifying that all of its windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more. The label goes on the lower left corner of the windshield, must be legible from outside the vehicle, and shows a label registration number and a certification of compliance. Vehicles with a medical exemption certificate, and vehicles within the listed exemptions, are the alternatives.
Because 28% is measured through the glass and film together, factory tint counts. A 35% film over slightly tinted factory glass can read below 28%, so choose film by the combined reading rather than the number on the box.
The Windshield
No tinted film, glazing or darkening material of any kind is allowed on the windshield, except material designed to replace or provide a sun shield in the uppermost area, as manufacturers are authorized to install under federal law. The statute gives no inch measurement for that area.
SUVs, Vans, Trucks and Other Exempt Vehicles
Any window behind the front two side windows, including the rear window, of a pickup truck, van, motor home, recreational vehicle, sport utility vehicle or multipurpose vehicle is exempt if its light transmittance meets the minimum that federal law authorized to be installed for that window and vehicle before factory delivery. Federal rules do not apply the 70% minimum to windows rearward of the driver on these vehicle types, which is why they can run darker glass there. The statute does not state a darkness figure, and the front two side windows still follow 28%.
Separately, the statute exempts school buses, other buses used for public transportation, buses or vans owned or leased by in-state nonprofit organizations, funeral home services vehicles, limousines owned or leased by private or public entities, and government-owned law enforcement, fire department and volunteer fire department vehicles.
Mirrored and Reflective Film
The statute bars any glazing material that causes a mirrored effect on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows. It states no reflectance percentage, so if a film looks like a mirror from outside, treat it as illegal.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓All windows at 28% VLT or lighter, with the label on the lower left of the windshield
- ✓Windows behind the front doors on a pickup, van, SUV or similar vehicle, within the federal minimum for that window
- ✓Darker tint with a medical exemption certificate displayed on the dashboard
- ✓A manufacturer-style sun shield in the uppermost area of the windshield
Illegal
- ✗Any sedan window below 28% without an exemption
- ✗Tint or film on the windshield beyond the sun shield area
- ✗Mirrored or metallic-finish glazing
- ✗Altering or reproducing the label or exemption certificate
Fines and Penalties
A violation of the tint section other than the label and certificate offenses is punishable under Mississippi Code § 63-7-7, which classifies equipment violations as a misdemeanor. The text of that section does not state a fine amount, so ask the court on your citation for the current figure. Altering or reproducing the labels or certificates is a separate offense, with a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months in county jail, or both.
Enforcement
The statute names Mississippi Department of Public Safety officers and municipal officers in municipalities with a population of 2,000 or more as the enforcing officers.
Medical Exemptions
A person diagnosed by a Mississippi-licensed physician or optometrist with a physical condition or disease seriously aggravated by minimum exposure to sunlight may use tint that would otherwise violate the section. The certificate is issued free of charge through the offices of the county tax collectors and must be prominently displayed on the vehicle dashboard. The section text does not set an expiry date or state a darkness percentage in the exemption subsection, so ask the tax collector whether any limit applies before choosing film.
Optometrists were added by SB 2453, signed March 13, 2026, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. Before that date only physicians could support an application.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Mississippi
With a single 28% standard on cars, most Mississippi installs use one film across the vehicle, often a carbon or ceramic film in the 30% to 35% range so the combined reading stays above 28%. Ceramic film is a common upgrade for infrared heat rejection, which matters in a Gulf South summer. SUV and truck owners can go darker on the rear glass under the federal rule.
| 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
Jackson
Jackson PD and Mississippi Highway Patrol cover the I-55, I-20 and I-220 corridors. Standard statewide rules apply.
Gulfport and Biloxi
Gulf Coast heat drives demand for ceramic film, and the I-10 and US-90 corridors are patrolled under the same statewide standard.
Southaven
Part of the Memphis metro on I-55 and I-69, where drivers often cross the Tennessee line and should note the two states' rules differ.
Hattiesburg
I-59 and US-49 corridor, standard statewide rules apply.
Tupelo
US-45 and the Natchez Trace area, standard statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Mississippi 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.
Mississippi tint law reference: Mississippi Code § 63-7-59, as amended by SB 2453 (effective July 1, 2026), with penalties under § 63-7-7. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety before getting your windows tinted.