Nebraska Window Tint Laws 2026
Nebraska sets its limits in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,257. Front side windows need at least 35% light transmission, the rear window and side windows behind the front seat need at least 20%, and reflectance on both can't exceed 35%. Multipurpose vehicles, vans and buses are exempt from the rear and behind-the-front-seat restriction. The windshield must be clear below the AS-1 line, and there is no medical exemption.
What the statute leaves out: § 60-6,257 has no medical exemption, no installer label, no dual-mirror rule, and no penalty of its own. Guides that list those for Nebraska are adding them from outside the tint statute. Also, a 2025 bill (LB 106) proposed tightening reflectance on rear and side windows to 20%, but it was never enacted.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Clear below AS-1 | No red, yellow or amber above |
| Front side windows | 35% VLT minimum | 35% max reflectance |
| Rear window and side windows behind front seat | 20% VLT minimum | 35% max reflectance |
| Multipurpose vehicles, vans, buses | Exempt from rear limit | Front still 35% |
| Medical exemption | None | Not in statute |
How the Limits Work
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,257, it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle required to be registered in Nebraska on a highway if the front side windows have sunscreening or other transparent material with a luminous reflectance of more than 35% or a light transmission of less than 35%. The rear window and side windows behind the front seat are held to a reflectance of no more than 35% and a light transmission of no less than 20%, except on a multipurpose vehicle, van or bus.
The statute defines light transmission as the ratio of the light allowed to pass through the sunscreening or transparent material to the total light falling on the window. A 1991 Nebraska Attorney General opinion (July 1, 1991) concluded the standard applies to the sunscreening or other transparent material and not to the window after treatment, so the film's own rating is what counts. That is an opinion, not a court ruling, and it is more than thirty years old, so a film rated comfortably above 35% for the front windows is still the safer choice.
The General Visibility Rule
Before any percentages, the statute makes it unlawful to drive a registered vehicle if the windows are tinted so that the driver's clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows is reduced, or the ability to see into the motor vehicle is substantially impaired. Film that meets the 35% and 20% numbers is generally legal, but this separate rule means an officer can still cite tint that, in practice, substantially impairs visibility into or out of the vehicle.
The Windshield
Sunscreening material below the AS-1 line must be clear and transparent. Above the AS-1 line it can't be red, yellow or amber in color. Nebraska doesn't set a measurement in inches, so the AS-1 line is the boundary.
Vans, Buses, Multipurpose Vehicles and Campers
The 20% and 35% restrictions on the rear window and side windows behind the front seat don't apply to a multipurpose vehicle, van or bus. The statute doesn't state a darkness figure for those windows, and the front side windows are still held to 35%. Campers, motor homes, pickup covers and slide-in campers are required to meet the federal safety glazing standard, 49 C.F.R. 571.205.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓Front side windows at 35% light transmission or lighter
- ✓Rear and rear side windows at 20% or lighter
- ✓Reflectance of 35% or less on side and rear windows
- ✓Clear, transparent film below the AS-1 line
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows below 35%
- ✗Rear glass on a standard car below 20%
- ✗Reflectance above 35% on side or rear windows
- ✗Tinted or colored film below the AS-1 line, or red, yellow or amber above it
- ✗Any tint that substantially impairs seeing into or out of the vehicle
Fines and Penalties
Section 60-6,257 doesn't state a penalty or classify the violation, and I couldn't confirm the fine from the statute text. The amount is set by the court that handles the citation, so check with the court named on your ticket.
Medical Exemptions
Nebraska's tint statute has no medical exemption and no waiver process. Drivers with a light-sensitivity condition are held to the same limits as everyone else on the front windows.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Nebraska
With the front limit at 35% and the rear at 20%, a common Nebraska setup is a moderate film on the front doors and darker film behind, while vans, SUVs classed as multipurpose vehicles, and buses can go further on the back. Ceramic film is a popular choice for heat and UV rejection through hot summers.
| 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
Omaha
Nebraska's largest city. Statewide rules apply.
Lincoln
The state capital. Statewide rules apply.
Bellevue
Sarpy County, where the same statewide rules apply.
Grand Island
Central Nebraska, standard statewide rules apply.
Kearney
Buffalo County, standard statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Nebraska 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.
Nebraska tint law reference: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,257. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Nebraska State Patrol or your local court before getting your windows tinted.