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Tinted Windows in Virginia

Here's what the Code of Virginia Says About Window Tinting

Section 46.2-1052 states*:

Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle. This provision, however, shall not apply to any certificate or other paper required by law or permitted by the Superintendent to be placed on a motor vehicle's windshield or window. The size of stickers or decals used by counties, cities, and towns in lieu of license plates shall be in compliance with regulations promulgated by the Superintendent. Such stickers shall be affixed on the windshield at a location designated by the Superintendent.


C. Except as provided in § 46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:

1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than thirty-five percent;

2. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than fifty percent;

3. No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.

Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this Commonwealth with sun-shading or tinting films that (i) have a total light transmittance less than that required by subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a traffic infraction but shall not be awarded any demerit points by the Commissioner for the violation. 

Any person or firm who applies or affixes to the windows of any motor vehicle in Virginia sun-shading or tinting films that (i) reduce the light transmittance to levels less than that allowed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense. E. No film or darkening material may be applied on the windshield except to replace the sunshield in the uppermost area as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
    D & E. See full article

    F. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the affixing to the rear window of a motor vehicle of a single sticker no larger than twenty square inches if such sticker is totally contained within the lower five inches of the glass of the rear window, nor shall subsection B of this section apply to a motor vehicle to which but one such sticker is so affixed.
      G. Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multi-purpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below thirty-five percent.
        H. As used in this article:(see full article for complete list of definitions)
          "Front side windows" means those windows located adjacent to and forward of the driver's seat; "Rear side windows" means those windows located to the rear of the driver's seat; "Rear window" or "rear windows" means those windows which are located to the rear of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and which are approximately parallel to the windshield; I. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, sun-shading material which was applied or installed prior to July 1, 1987, in a manner and on which windows not then in violation of Virginia law, shall continue to be lawful, provided that it can be shown by appropriate receipts that such material was installed prior to July 1, 1987.
            J & K. (See full article)
              L. The provisions of subdivision C(1.) of this section shall not apply to sight-seeing carriers as defined in § 46.2-2200 and limousine and executive sedan carriers as defined in § 46.2-2500.
                *Victory Glass has abridged this article to include only information pertaining to Virginia's laws concerning window tinting. For the full text of the article, which contains more information pertaining to stickers on car windows and penalties for violation of the window tinting laws, go to the Virginia State Police Website article on saftey and go to the very bottom of the page.

                Auto Glass For Every Pane

                There are many different styles and shades of auto glass available for each application. Windshields generally come two ways: Shaded or Tinted.
                • A Shaded Windshield has a darker tint than the rest of the glass that extends a maximum of 4 inches down from the top of the windshield.
                • On a Tinted Windshield the entire pane of glass is darkened. In warmer climates, like Virginia, this has the advantage of keeping the inside of the car cooler in the summer. However, Section 46.2-1052 of the Code of Virginia makes tinted windshields illegal inVirginia and establishes penalties for both the driver and the installer of such a windshield. See our page on Window Tinting or the Virginia State Police Website for more details.

                Window Glass Preference vs. Cost

                In all cases it boils down to a matter of preference and/or cost. Sometimes shaded is more expensive than tinted and vice-versa. All are usually interchangeable. Other factors to mention when requesting a quote are whether your windshield has a rain sensor, light sensor, night vision, condensation sensor, electro-chromic mirror, antenna, or other hardware that may be embedded in, or attached to the glass. Supplying the Vehicle ID number will help us determine the exact fit for your vehicle if you are unsure.

                The Colors of Automotive Glass

                Automotive glass is usually blue, green, grey, smoked or bronze. Windshields are typically blue or green but may also be bronze. Grey, smoked, and sometimes bronze may be referred to as a privacy tint in the industry and are typically easy to identify because in most cases you cannot see through them from the outside of the vehicle unless you are standing within a few feet. A simple way to determine the color of your glass is to hold a white piece of paper against it. Below are some examples that may help you determine which tint color applies to your vehicle.

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