New Hampshire Window Tint Laws 2026
New Hampshire's rules are in RSA 266:58-a, titled Tinted Glass. Aftermarket tint on the windows beside the driver must have at least 70% light transmittance, and on the rear windows at least 35%, with outside mirrors on both sides. Aftermarket tint on the windshield is prohibited except for a top strip no wider than 6 inches. Medical special permits allow tint down to 35% since a September 2024 change.
The 70% front limit is among the strictest in the country: New Hampshire holds the windows beside the driver to 70%, which in practice means a very light film. Medical permits are the only way to go darker on the front, and the permit floor was lowered from 70% to 35% by HB 370 in 2024. A 2026 bill to allow 35% front tint for everyone, HB 1178, was not enacted as far as I could find.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top strip, 6" max, 35%+ | No other aftermarket tint |
| Windows beside the driver | 70% VLT minimum | Strict |
| Rear windows | 35% VLT minimum | Needs both outside mirrors |
| Rear windows, MPVs and pickups | Federal standard | 49 C.F.R. 571.205 |
| Medical special permit | 35% VLT minimum | Windshield or front side |
How the Limits Work
Under RSA 266:58-a, the light transmittance of aftermarket tinted windows to the left and right of the driver, where they are allowed, may not be less than 70 percent, and the light transmittance of aftermarket tinted rear windows, where they are allowed, may not be less than 35 percent. The statute requires outside rear view mirrors on both the left and right side of the vehicle. The rear windows of multipurpose passenger vehicles and pickup trucks may be tinted to whatever percentage the federal glazing standard, 49 C.F.R. 571.205, allows for factory-tinted rear windows.
The statute doesn't say whether the percentages are measured on the film alone or the glass and film together, so choose a film with a margin, especially on the front where 70% is already very light.
The Windshield
It is unlawful to sell or inspect any motor vehicle in New Hampshire that has aftermarket tinting on the windshield, and unlawful to install aftermarket tint on the windshield of a registered vehicle. The one exception is a strip not wider than 6 inches located at the very top of the windshield, with a light transmittance of not less than 35 percent. A vehicle with other windshield tint can't pass the state inspection.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓Aftermarket tint at 70% or lighter on the windows beside the driver
- ✓Aftermarket tint at 35% or lighter on the rear windows, with both outside mirrors
- ✓A windshield strip up to 6 inches wide at the very top, at 35% or lighter
- ✓Tint within a medical special permit
Illegal
- ✗Aftermarket tint darker than 70% beside the driver without a permit
- ✗Rear tint darker than 35% on a car
- ✗Any aftermarket windshield tint beyond the 6-inch top strip
- ✗Tinted rear windows without outside mirrors on both sides
Fines and Penalties
A person who violates RSA 266:58-a is guilty of a violation, which is a non-criminal offense in New Hampshire. Under RSA 651:2, the maximum fine for an individual for a violation is $1,000. The actual amount is set by the court, and the statute also makes it unlawful to sell or inspect a vehicle with windshield tint.
Medical Special Permits
A person who requires aftermarket tint on the windshield or the windows beside the driver for medical reasons may apply for a special permit under RSA 266:61-a, IX. The commissioner may waive the requirements of RSA 266:58-a and issue a permit authorizing aftermarket tint with a light transmittance of not less than 35 percent. HB 370, signed June 14, 2024 and effective September 12, 2024, added the medical permit paragraph to RSA 266:58-a and lowered that floor from 70 percent. Under the permit statute, medical documentation can come from a provider licensed in New Hampshire or from a licensed provider affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The New Hampshire DMV describes the process as an application with physician documentation dated within six months, with up to two vehicles listed, no fee, and a two-year waiver. Its page still describes the older 70% medical figure, so rely on the statute for the percentage and confirm the current form with the DMV.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in New Hampshire
With 70% allowed on the front, most New Hampshire installs use a very light ceramic film beside the driver and a darker film on the rear windows, with outside mirrors on both sides. Ceramic film is popular because it rejects heat and UV without needing a darker shade, which matters when 70% is the front limit. Because windshield tint can fail inspection, ask the installer to confirm nothing goes below the 6-inch top strip.
| 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
Manchester
New Hampshire's largest city. Statewide rules apply.
Nashua
Near the Massachusetts border, where the rules differ. Statewide rules apply.
Concord
The state capital. Statewide rules apply.
Dover and Portsmouth
Seacoast region, standard statewide rules apply.
Keene
Southwestern New Hampshire, standard statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire tint law reference: RSA 266:58-a (Tinted Glass), with medical permits under RSA 266:61-a, IX and fines under RSA 651:2. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the New Hampshire DMV or a licensed inspection station before getting your windows tinted.