West Virginia Window Tint Law

The West Virginia window tint law lets you tint the top 5 inches of your windshield and up to 35% tint darkness on your front side, back side, and rear windows.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
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The West Virginia window tint law allows you to tint the top six inches of your windshield and up to 35% tint darkness on your front seat side windows, back seat side windows, and rear windows.
One of the easiest ways to improve privacy and the look of your car is to tint the windows. However, state tint laws set limits on tint darkness. Many states set limits on window tint darkness to ensure that your visibility isn’t impaired, making the roads safer for everyone. 
To help you ensure that your vehicle is tinted within the permitted limits, the
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, has compiled all the information you need for tinted window laws in West Virginia.

What is the visible light transmission percentage?

The visible light transmission (VLT) percentage is the amount of light the window tint film will allow through the car windows. The legal limits can vary from state to state. 
A higher VLT percentage indicates that more light will pass through the tint film. For example, a 75% tint is much lighter and will let 75% of light through, whereas a 5% tint (also known as a “limo tint”) will only allow 5% of light through.

What is the West Virginia window tint law?

The West Virginia window tint law was enacted in 1991 to impose limits on how dark window tints can be. The limits for passenger vehicles are as follows:
  • Front windshield: Non-reflective tint on the top five inches
  • Front seat side windows: Must allow more than 35% light transmission
  • Back seat side windows: Must allow more than 35% light transmission
  • Rear window: Must allow more than 35% light transmission
For SUVs and vans:
  • Front windshield: Non-reflective tint on the top five inches
  • Front seat side windows: Must allow more than 35% light transmission
  • Back seat side windows: Any darkness
  • Rear window: Any darkness
All vehicles must have dual side mirrors if any windows behind the driver are tinted. There is also a 20% reflectivity limit, and yellow, amber, and red tints are not permitted.
Tint film manufacturers are required to certify the film they are selling in West Virginia and you will need to have a sticker to identify legal tinting between the film and glass on the driver’s side window.
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Medical exemptions

West Virginia law allows medical exemptions if the person or the person’s legal guardian has an affidavit signed by a physician and optometrist. It must state that the person has a medical condition that requires the use of a darker or more reflective window tint. This affidavit must be carried with the person at all times while traveling.

Penalties for violating the window tint law

If you are caught with window tinting darker than the legal limits, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of $200.
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FAQs

Window tinting can cost between $150 and $500 on average. These prices will vary depending on the different tint options available, your vehicle model, and where you get the tint job done. 
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