Understanding South Dakota tint laws is crucial for drivers wanting to customize their vehicle’s appearance while staying compliant with state regulations. This guide provides essential information on legal tint percentages for windshields, front and rear windows, as well as potential exemptions and penalties for violations.
South Dakota window tint laws were enacted in 1989. The darkest legal tint limit in South Dakota is 35% VLT for the front side windows, and 20% VLT for Backside windows for the rear windshield according to the tint laws in South Dakota State.
How tint percentage is measured by the South Dakota Tint Laws?
The legal tint of darkness is measured by Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates the percentage of light that passes through the film.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the South Dakota legal tint limits for different types of vehicles.
Legal tint darkness for sedans:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- Front side windows: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
- Backside windows: More than 20% of VLT should be allowed.
- Rear window: More than 20% of VLT should be allowed.
Legal tint darkness for SUV and Van:
- Windshield: Only non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
- Front side windows: More than 35% of VLT should be allowed.
- Backside windows: More than 20% of VLT should be allowed.
- Rear window: More than 20% of VLT should be allowed.
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 South Dakota:
South Dakota tint laws restrict the reflection level of car window tinting for all types of vehicles.
Tint Reflection for sedans:
- Front Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
- Back Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
Tint Reflection for SUV and Van:
- Front Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
- Back Side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
South Dakota Window Tinting Rules and Regulations:
- Side Mirrors: No restrictions for side mirrors in case of a tinted rear window.
- Restricted Colors: There is no restriction about using any tint color by the South Dakota car tinting laws.
- Certificates: Manufacturers of window film must certify the film they sell in the state. Ensure your tint installer uses certified tinting film.
- Stickers: A tint certification sticker for legal identification must be placed on each tinted window between the window glass and tint film.
- Tint Variance: A 9% tint variance is allowed.
- Penalties: Violation of South Dakota tinting laws is a class 2 misdemeanor, a fine of up to $500, and/or up to 30 days in jail.
- Medical Exemptions: South Dakota tint laws do not allow any kind of medical exemptions for auto vehicle drivers.
Tint laws reference: South Dakota Codified Laws – CHAPTER 32-15 – VEHICLE AND ACCESSORY SPECIFICATIONS
Information about South Dakota State
South Dakota, a Midwestern gem, boasts diverse landscapes from the Black Hills’ rugged peaks to the Badlands’ unique formations. Known for Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, it also offers outdoor adventures, rich Native American history, and a strong agricultural backbone.
South Dakota is the 17th largest US state by land area and the 5th least populated state in the USA. The largest city in South Dakota State is Sioux Falls.
Capital
Pierre
Population
919,318 (2023)
Area
75,789 mi2 (196292 km2)
Cities in South Dakota State
Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings, Watertown, Yankton, Mitchell, Huron, Pierre, Box Elder, Spearfish, Vermillion, Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea, Rapid Valley CDP, Sturgis, Madison, Belle Fourche, Dakota Dunes CDP, Dell Rapids, Hartford, Hot Springs, Milbank, Mobridge, North Sioux City, Lead, Canton, Summerset, Blackhawk CDP, Pine Ridge CDP, Winner, Lennox, Chamberlain, Sisseton, Flandreau, Colonial Pine Hills CDP, Volga, Fort Pierre, Rosebud CDP, Redfield, Beresford, Elk Point, Springfield
Counties in South Dakota State
The State of South Dakota is divided into 66 counties.
Aurora, Beadle, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Butte, Campbell, Charles Mix, Clark, Clay, Codington, Corson, Custer, Davison, Day, Deuel, Dewey, Douglas, Edmunds, Fall River, Faulk, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lyman, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Meade, Mellette, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Pennington, Perkins, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Shannon, Spink, Stanley, Sully, Todd, Tripp, Turner, Union, Walworth, Yankton, and Ziebach.