Ohio Window Tint Law

The Ohio window tint law allows you to put up to 50% tint darkness on your front windows and any darkness on your back side and rear windows.
Written by Amy Bobinger
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
In
Ohio
, you’re legally allowed to tint the top five inches of your windshield and use up to 50% tint darkness on your front side windows. There’s no regulation on the tint darkness you can use on your back side and rear windows.
Tinted windows do more than just make your car look cool. Tint reflects sunlight, so it will help keep your car cooler, and it may keep the sun out of your eyes while you’re driving. It offers you more privacy inside your vehicle, as well.
That said, many states have restrictions on tinted windows, including the darkness, color, and reflectiveness of the tint. If your windows are too dark, it can be hard to see while you’re driving, which could lead to an accident.

What is the visible light transmission percentage?

The visible light transmission (VLT) percentage is the amount of light that can pass through a window. The legal VLT requirements for tinted windows vary from state to state.
The darker the tint on your windows, the lower the VLT percentage. For instance, a vehicle with 25% VLT only allows 25% of light to pass through the glass, whereas a 75% tint allows 75% of light to pass through the glass. Because of that, the 25% tint looks much darker than the 75% tint.
Pro Tip Be sure to check the VLT of your window before you add a tint. Most vehicles have a VLT of 70 to 80% straight from the factory, and this needs to be factored in when you’re choosing the tint darkness.
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What is the Ohio window tint law?

The window tint law in Ohio was enacted in 2004 to keep vehicles safe on the road. Here are the Ohio laws regarding tint darkness for sedans, coupes, SUVs, and vans:
  • Windshield: You can have non-reflective tint with at least a 70% VLT on the top five inches of your windshield.
  • Front side windows: Tint must be 50% VLT or higher.
  • Back side windows: Tint can be as dark as you like
  • Rear window: Tint can be as dark as you like
You can not use reflective tint on the windshield, front side, or back side windows of any vehicles in Ohio. However, there are no restrictions on the colors of tint that you can use.
In Ohio, manufacturers of window film are required to certify their film, verifying that it complies with the window tint law. The tint installer must also place a sticker on each tinted window between the film and the glass to confirm that the window is legally tinted.

Medical exemptions

Some states allow an exemption to tint laws for certain medical conditions that cause sensitivity to light. However, there is no medical exemption for special tint in Ohio.

Penalties for violating the window tint law

If you get pulled over for a tint law violation in Ohio, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of around $120
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FAQs

The total price of your window tint job will depend on the auto shop, your car, and the type of tint film you request. Customers usually pay between $150 and $500 for the entire service. The total price of your window tint job will depend on the auto shop, your car, and the type of tint film you request. Customers usually pay between $150 and $500 for the entire service.
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