Under Oregon window tint law, you can have a non-reflective tint on the top six inches of your windshield and a 35% VLT tint on your side and rear windows.

Written by Amy Bobinger

Reviewed by Carrie Adkins

Updated on Sep 8, 2023

Table of Contents

What is the visible light transmission percentage?
What is the Oregon window tint law?
Penalties for violating the window tint law
FAQ

The

Oregon

window tint law allows you to have a non-reflective tint on the top six inches of your windshield and a 35% VLT tint or higher on your front windows. If you drive a sedan, your back and rear window tint must also be 35% VLT or higher, but there is no restriction on these windows for vans and SUVs.

Every state has its own regulations on the darkness, reflectiveness, color, and even location of the tint you use.

Jerry

is here to make sure you understand the tinted window laws in Oregon so you can hit the road worry-free.

What is the visible light transmission percentage?

The visible light transmission percentage, or VLT, refers to how much light your tint will allow through the window. Each state has its own regulations for what VLT you’re allowed to have on your windows.

A higher VLT means that the tint allows more light to pass through the window—so the tint is lighter. A lower VLT means the tint is darker. For instance, a 45% tint allows 45% of the light to pass through and blocks 55%.

Pro Tip Some windows block a certain amount of light straight from the factory. This will make your tint seem darker, so take it into consideration when you are choosing a tint.

What is the Oregon window tint law?

The window tint law in Oregon was enacted in 2003 and regulates the darkness, color, and reflectiveness of the tint you can use on your vehicle. The laws vary for sedans and multi-passenger vehicles like vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.

Window tint darkness for sedans

Windshield: You can have a non-reflective tint on the top six inches of the windshield.

Front side windows: Your tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through the window.

Back side windows: Your tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through the window.

Rear window: Your tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through the window.

You must have dual side mirrors if the windows behind the driver are tinted.

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Window tint darkness for multi-passenger vehicles

Windshield: You can have a non-reflective tint on the top six inches of the windshield.

Front side windows: Your tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through the window.

Back side windows: You can use a tint of any darkness.

Rear window: You can use a tint of any darkness.

You must have dual side mirrors if the windows behind the driver are tinted.

Reflectiveness, color, and certificates

Some tint manufacturers add a reflective coating to their tint to help deflect the sun’s rays. This keeps your car cooler and darker. In Oregon, you cannot use a reflective tint on your windshield, but your front and back side windows can be up to 13% reflective.

You are not permitted to use red, gold, yellow, amber, or black tint.

You should get a certificate from your tint installer that lists the light transmittance and reflectiveness of the tint you choose. Be sure to keep this in your vehicle at all times.

Medical exemptions

In Oregon, you are allowed to use a darker tint on your vehicle if you have a letter from your doctor or optometrist certifying that a darker tint is a medical necessity. Usually, this is due to a condition that causes photosensitivity, or sensitivity to bright light.

You’ll need to carry your medical exemption certificate in the car with you at all times. That way, it will be available to show an officer if you get pulled over for having a dark tint.

Penalties for violating the window tint law

If you get pulled over and you’re in violation of Oregon’s window tint law, it’s a class B traffic violation, and you may receive a $360 fine.

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FAQ

How much does it cost to tint windows?

Window tinting usually costs between $150 and $500, although the pricing definitely varies depending on the shop, the type of tint film that you request, the type of vehicle you drive, and the number of windows you want to get tinted.

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