North Carolina Window Tint Laws 2024

Keeping your car cool and your belongings protected with window tint is a 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.

How tint percentage is measured by the North Carolina Tint Laws?

The legal tint darkness level is measured by Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates the percentage of light that passes through the film. Here’s a breakdown of the legal VLT limits for different types of vehicles.

Legal tint darkness for sedans:

• Windshield: Only non-reflective tint should be above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 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 should be above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or top 5 inches.
• Front side windows: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
• 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 window tinting laws in North Carolina state allow a certain percentage of tint reflection for all types of vehicles.

Tint Reflection for sedans:

• 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 SUV and Van:

• 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 for car window tinting.
• Certificates: Film certification is not required by the film manufacturers.
• Stickers: No tinting sticker is required for legal identification.

North Carolina 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 fewer 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

Information about North Carolina State

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.