North Carolina Window Tint Laws 2024
Keeping your car cool and your belongings protected with window tint is popular choice for North Carolina drivers. But before you get your windows tinted, understanding the North Carolina tint laws is crucial to avoid fines and ensure safe driving.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about NC tint laws.
Window tint laws in North Carolina were enacted in 2001. The legal tint in North Carolina is 35% for all windows except the front windshield.
North Carolina Tint Laws:
Window tint darkness is measured by Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates the percentage of light allowed through the tinted window. Here’s a breakdown of legal tint darkness for different vehicle types.
Legal tint darkness for Cars:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint should be above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
- Front side windows: It should be allowed more than 35% of VLT.
- Back Side windows: It should be allowed more than 35% of VLT.
- Rear window: It should be allowed more than 35% of VLT.
Legal tint darkness for Trucks:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint should be above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
- Front side windows: It should be allowed more than 35% of VLT.
- Back Side windows: Any darkness is permitted.
- Rear window: Any darkness is permitted.
Important Note: It’s crucial to remember that these are the minimum VLT requirements. You can have a 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 North Carolina:
Car tinting laws within North Carolina state allow a certain percentage of tint reflection for all types of vehicles.
Tint Reflection for Cars:
- Front Side windows: It should not be more than 20% reflective.
- Back Side windows: It should not be more than 20% reflective.
Tint Reflection for Trucks:
- Front Side windows: It should not be more than 20% reflective.
- Back Side windows: It should not be more than 20% reflective.
North Carolina Window Tinting Rules and Regulations:
- Side mirrors: Both side mirrors are required in case of a tinted rear window.
- Restricted Colors: Yellow, Red, and Amber colors are not allowed to be used as tinting color.
- Certificates: Film certification is not required by the film manufacturers according to state law.
- Stickers: No tinting sticker is required for legal identification.
NC Window Tint Law Medical Exemption:
- A medical exception permit is valid for 5 years.
- A person can not have more than two medical permits at the same time.
- Permits are not interchangeable and you must carry the permit in the vehicle to which it applies.
- A medical exception sticker must be displayed in the lower left‐hand corner of the rear window. Failure to properly display the sticker is punishable by a $200 fine.
Apply for a medical exception permit: Tinted Window Waiver Application Form
Restrictions & Exceptions:
Requirements do not apply to other windows on:
- Excursion passenger vehicles, as defined in G.S. 20‐4.01 (27)a
- Motor homes, as defined in G.S. 20‐4.01 (27)d2
- Ambulances, as defined in G.S. 20‐4.01 (27)f
- Property‐hauling vehicles (rear window only), as defined in G.S. 20‐4.01 (31)
- Limousines
- Law enforcement vehicles
- Multipurpose vehicles (e.g., mini-van, pickup truck, SUV) designed to carry 10 or less passengers – where the window is behind the driver and is built on a truck chassis or has special features designed for occasional off‐road operation
- Vehicles with a medical exception issued by NCDMV
North Carolina Tint law references: Official NCDMV – Window Tinting
We strive to provide the most current information on North Carolina tint laws. If you believe any details here may be outdated, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Your feedback helps us ensure accuracy for everyone.
Information about North Carolina State
Located in the southeastern region of the United States, North Carolina is bordered by South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west, Virginia to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
With a population ranking it as the 10th most populous state and covering significant land area as the 28th most extensive, North Carolina boasts diverse geography, ranging from the stunning Appalachian Mountains in the west to the picturesque Outer Banks along its eastern coastline.
The state’s economy is robust, driven by industries like agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and finance. Moreover, North Carolina’s rich cultural heritage, including its contributions to American history, music, cuisine, and sports, make it a compelling destination for visitors and a vibrant home for its residents.
Capital
Raleigh
Population
10,835,491
Area
53,819 mi² (139,391 km²)
Cities in North Carolina State
Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, Greenville, Asheville, Concord, Gastonia, Jacksonville, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount, Burlington, Huntersville, Wilson, Kannapolis, Hickory, Apex, Goldsboro, Salisbury, Monroe, Mooresville, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, Sanford, New Bern, Matthews, Thomasville, Garner, Cornelius, Asheboro, Statesville, Kernersville, Lexington, Lumberton, Kinston, Shelby, Havelock, Indian Trail, Morrisville, Fuquay-Varina, Boone, Carrboro, Lenoir, Morganton, Clayton, Elizabeth City, Roanoke Rapids, Laurinburg, Albemarle, Eden, Clemmons.
Henderson, Hope Mills, Graham, Lincolnton, Mebane, Reidsville, Mount Holly, Washington, Smithfield, Dunn, Morehead City, Oxford, Kings Mountain, Elon, Tarboro, Roxboro, Siler City, Forest City, Brevard, Black Mountain, Waddington, Belmont, Spring Lake, Davidson, Southern Pines, Clinton, Conover, Waynesville, Lewisville, Winterville, Ayden, Oak Island, Dunn, Mount Airy, Butner, Summerfield, Hamlet, Aberdeen, Knightdale, Hillsborough, Mocksville, Kill Devil Hills, Pinehurst, Archdale.
Counties in North Carolina State
Mecklenburg, Wake, Guilford, Forsyth, Cumberland, Durham, Buncombe, New Hanover, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Johnston, Pitt, Alamance, Onslow, Iredell, Rowan, Davidson, Randolph, Catawba, Orange, Robeson, Wayne, Harnett, Burke, Craven, Nash, Cleveland, Moore, Pitt, Wilson, Lincoln, Chatham, Lee, Henderson, Brunswick, Caldwell, Surry, Sampson, Wilkes, Granville, Franklin, Brunswick, Duplin, Yadkin, Stanly, Edgecombe, Rockingham, Lenoir, Vance, Columbus, Rutherford, Richmond, Scotland, Carteret, McDowell, Beaufort, Alamance, Person, Montgomery, Hoke, Greene, Macon, Transylvania, Warren, Hertford, Martin, Washington, Halifax, Polk, Anson, Camden, Gates, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, Currituck, Pamlico, Jones, Mitchell, Cherokee, Clay, Alleghany.