Michigan Window Tint Law

The Michigan window tint law allows for tint up to 4 inches from the top of your front windshield and front side windows—and any tint for the back side and rear windows.
Written by Max Werner
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Michigan
window tint laws accept tint up to 4 inches from the top of your windshield and front side windows. Any level of tint is allowed for the back-side and rear windows. 
If you want to add extra privacy to your vehicle, you can't go wrong with tinted windows. Though tinted windows are both stylish and practical, having a tint too dark can affect your visibility on the road—which is why each state has limits for the level of tint they allow.

What is the visible light transmission percentage?

Visible light transmission (VLT) percentage represents how much light can pass through the film on a tinted window. Each state has its own rules regarding this percentage.
Higher VLT means more light can pass through the film. For example, an 85% VLT means 85% of the light hitting your window can pass through your tint, while a 5% VLT—common for limo drivers—only allows 5% of the light to pass through, resulting in complete privacy.
VLT is the measurement on which states base window tint laws, but Michigan law doesn’t specify VLT.

What is the Michigan window tint law?

Michigan law
limits how much tint you can have on your window. Michigan is slightly more lenient for the rear and back windows than other states. Here are the limits for Michigan: 
  • Front windshield: Non-reflective (or metallic) up to 4 inches from the top of the windshield
  • Front-seat side windows: Any darkness, but only up 4 inches from the top of the window
  • Back-seat side windows: Any darkness can be used
  • Rear window: Any darkness can be used
You are not allowed to use silver or gold colors of tint.
Michigan window tint law does not require that the manufacturer certify the tint used for your vehicle or that you use a sticker to indicate legal tinting—though more forgiving requirements also mean harsher punishments for not complying with state law.
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Medical exemptions

Michigan does allow darker tints in case of medical exemptions. Exemption applications can be filed through either a physician or optimist and given to drivers with a higher sensitivity to light. 
A medically exempt tint cannot interfere with or obscure the driver's clear vision of the highway or intersecting highway.

Penalties for violating the window tint law

Violation of Michigan window tint law will result in a civil infraction, requiring the driver to pay a $95 fine and gain two points on their license.
Though there are many ways to offset the points system, accumulating 12 points will result in the suspension of your license.
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FAQs

Acquiring a legal tint job in Michigan will cost you anywhere from $150 to $500.
In Michigan, you can have any VLT percentage on your front side window, as long as the tint doesn't stretch past 4 inches from the top of the window.
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