When considering car window tinting in Illinois, it’s crucial to understand the specific regulations to ensure compliance and avoid fines. The Illinois tint laws outline precise guidelines on the permissible levels of tint darkness and reflectivity for different types of vehicles.
For instance, the laws specify the allowable percentage of light that must pass through the tinted windows. Knowing these legal requirements helps vehicle owners make informed decisions about window tinting while staying within the bounds of the law.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of auto window tint regulations, ensuring you stay legal and avoid any potential issues.
Window tint laws in Illinois were enacted in 2009 and the legal tint limit in Illinois is 35% of VLT for all windows except front windshield.
Illinois Tint Laws:
The darkness of your window tint is measured by its Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates the percentage of light allowed through the tinted window. Illinois tint laws have different VLT requirements for various vehicle types.
Legal tint darkness for sedans:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches.
- Front side windows: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
- Back Side windows: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
- Rear window: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
Legal tint darkness for SUV and Van:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches.
- Front side windows: More than 50% of VLT should be allowed.
- Back Side windows: Any darkness level is permitted.
- Rear window: Any darkness level is permitted.
Important Note: It’s crucial to remember that these are the minimum VLT requirements. You can have lighter tint (higher VLT percentage) as long as it meets the legal limit. However, anything darker than the specified VLT is considered illegal.
Window Tint Reflection in Illinois:
Car tinting laws in Illinois state allow a certain percentage of tint reflection for all types of vehicles.
Tint Reflection for sedans:
- Front side windows: only non-reflective window tinting is allowed.
- Back Side windows: only non-reflective window tinting is allowed.
Tint Reflection for SUV and Van:
- Front side windows: only non-reflective window tinting is allowed.
- Back Side windows: only non-reflective window tinting is allowed.
Illinois Window Tinting Rules and Regulations:
- Side mirrors: Both side mirrors are required in case of a tinted rear window.
- Restricted Colors: There is no restriction about using any tint color by the Illinois car tinting laws.
- Certificates: No certificate is needed by the tint film manufacturers.
- Stickers: No sticker is needed.
- Medical exemptions: Illinois tinting laws allow medical exceptions. Drivers with medical conditions requiring protection from direct sunlight are eligible for a medical exemption from the tint restrictions.
Illinois Tint Laws Medical Exemption Form (PDF)
Tint laws reference: Illinois Vehicle Code Chapter 12, Article V – Glass, Windshields, and Mirrors
Information about Illinois State
The State of Illinois is located in the East-North-Central (Midwest and Great Lakes) region of the United States. Illinois is bordered by the state of Indiana in the east, by Kentucky in the southeast, by Missouri in the west, by Iowa in the northwest, and by Wisconsin in the north. It is also bounded by Lake Michigan in the northeast.
Illinois is the 25th largest and the 6th most populous state in the USA.
Capital
Springfield
Population
12,549,689 (2023)
Area
57,914 sq. mi (149,998 km2)
Cities in Illinois:
Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Champaign, Bloomington, Decatur, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Schaumburg, Bolingbrook, Palatine, Skokie, Des Plaines, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Berwyn, Mount Prospect, Wheaton, Normal, Hoffman Estates, Oak Park, Downers Grove, Glenview, Belleville, Elmhurst, DeKalb, Moline, Lombard, Buffalo Grove, Urbana, Bartlett, Crystal Lake, Quincy, Streamwood, Carol Stream, Romeoville, Plainfield, Rock Island, Hanover Park, Carpentersville, Wheeling, Park Ridge, Calumet City, Addison, Glendale Heights, Pekin, Northbrook, Elk Grove Village, Danville, St. Charles, Woodridge, North Chicago.
Counties in Illinois:
Adams, Alexander, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Cook, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, Dewitt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Lake, Lawrence, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Massac, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, Saint Clair, Saline, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside, Will, Williamson, Winnebago, and Woodford.