How dark can window tint be in Connecticut?
The limits come from Connecticut's motor vehicle statute (§ 14-99g) and the DMV regulations under it. They're set as visible light transmittance (VLT): the share of light that still gets through the glass and film together.
| Window | Cars | SUVs, pickups and vans | Max reflectance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield | No film, except where § 14-99g allows it | No film, except where § 14-99g allows it | — |
| Front side windows | At least 32% of light | At least 32% of light | 30% |
| Rear side windows | At least 32% of light | Any darkness, with outside mirrors on both sides | 24% |
| Rear window | Any darkness, with outside mirrors on both sides | Any darkness, with outside mirrors on both sides | 24% |
“SUVs, pickups and vans” means trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles as federal rules define them (49 CFR § 571.3). The mirrors must give the driver a view at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
Why do shops install 35% film if the limit is 32%?
The law measures the glass and film together, with a meter that's accurate to plus or minus 3%. Factory glass already holds back some light, so a film rated 35% on its own can measure lower once it's on your windows. Krispy AutoWorks recommends a shade that measures legal on your vehicle before any film is cut.
Can I tint my windshield in Connecticut?
Not with a darkening film. The regulation bars sunscreening material on the windshield except where the statute allows it, which in practice means a strip along the top. Clear heat-rejecting windshield films and sunstrips are options to ask about; we'll confirm what's allowed for your vehicle.
How reflective can tint be?
Mirror-like film is capped. Front side windows can reflect no more than 30% of light, and the rear side and rear windows no more than 24%. Carbon and ceramic films aren't metallized mirror films; we'll confirm the specs of the film going on your car.
Do I need a tint sticker in Connecticut?
Approved film carries a compliance sticker with the manufacturer's name, a registration number from the DMV and a statement that it complies. It goes on the inside of the film, in the lower left corner as seen from outside the car. Film approved only for the back glass is marked “REAR ONLY”.
Is there a medical exemption?
- It's for people who must be shielded from direct sunlight for medical reasons, in a vehicle they own or lease or usually ride in.
- A physician or optometrist licensed in Connecticut has to recommend it in writing after an examination, and the application goes to the DMV commissioner.
- Once approved, the validated form has to be carried in the vehicle.
- Even exempt windows can't be so dark they impair safe driving: below 20% light transmittance is treated as unsafe unless the commissioner waives it.
Sources
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-99g (tinted or reflective windows)
- Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-99g-2, Allowable levels of light transmittance
- Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-99g-3, Allowable levels of luminous reflectance
- Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-99g-5, Compliance sticker requirements
- Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-99g-7, Medical exemptions
- 49 CFR § 571.3, definition of a multipurpose passenger vehicle
This is a plain-English summary of the statute and DMV regulations as of November 2026, not legal advice. Check the sources for the exact wording.
