If you have wondered, “Is 5 tint legal in Maryland?” – the answer is no. The legal film darkness varies by vehicle, but the windows of sedans must have at least 35% light transmittance. Multipurpose vehicles, limousines, vans, and class E trucks must only have 35% light transmittance on the driver’s and right-front passenger’s side. This 35% rule applies to Maryland tail light tint laws as well. So, there’s a lot more to window tinting in MD.
Maryland Tint Laws 2024:
The percentage of visible light allowed through your vehicle windows is the visible light transmission or VLT. Your vehicle type regulates the legal limit for window tint in Maryland.
Maryland’s Legal Tint Permitted for Sedans:
- Windshield: 35% VLT that is non-reflective is allowed on the AS-1 mark or the top 5 inches.
- Front side windows: Must let more than 35% light in.
- Backside windows: Must let more than 35% light in.
- Rear window: Must let more than 35% light in.
Legal Limit for Window Tint in Maryland for SUVs and Vans:
- Windshield: 35% VLT that is non-reflective is allowed on the AS-1 mark or the top 5 inches.
- Front side windows: Must let more than 35% light in.
- Backside window: Any darkness level is permitted.
- Rear window: Any darkness level is permitted.
Regarding Maryland’s legal tint reflection laws, no sedans or SUVs are permitted to have a metallic or mirrored appearance. Additionally, Maryland headlight tint laws require that headlights are white and are not obscured by a non-transparent material.
Other Maryland Rules and Regulations:
- Certificates: Manufacturers of the film must certify in the state they sell.
- Side Mirrors: Dual side mirrors need to match the back window.
- Restricted colors: Red, yellow, and amber film colors are not legal in Maryland.
- Stickers: Maryland does not require stickers to identify legal film, but it’s recommended.
How to Get a Tint Waiver in Maryland:
A medical waiver in MD window tinting can exempt you from the 35% VLT law. These waivers apply to individuals who need additional protection from the sun and must be obtained as a written certificate from a physician in the state. In addition, you can have a Maryland tint exemption form authorized by the state police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED). However, the front windshields must still follow the AS-1 mark limit even with the waiver.
Penalties for Non-compliance:
Suppose your vehicle exceeds the darkest legal tint in Maryland. In that case, you risk being pulled over to receive a fix-it ticket. If this happens, you must either remove the dark tint level or replace it with a film within the legal limit. The $50 citation can become a $1,000 fine if an inspection is not carried out within five business days.
Tint Color and Reflectivity Restrictions:
Often, people ask us if we can tint their windows with a unique color outside of the standard black tint. Maryland does not allow tints that are red, amber, or yellow in color. Mirrored/reflective tints are also illegal. Put differently, it’s usually best to stay at the standard black tint to avoid any issues with law enforcement. That said, blue, green, and purple colors are not mentioned in the law…
Medical Waivers:
Medical waivers are accepted in Maryland for individuals who need additional sun protection that requires exemption from the 35% VLT law. The waiver must be obtained from a practicing Maryland physician and authorized by the Maryland State Police – Automotive Safety Enforcement Division. The front windshield must still comply with the AS1 mark limit for window tint.
Driving Out of Maryland:
A common concern is customers wondering what will happen if they drive into a state with different tint laws. We cover this topic in depth in a separate post titled “Do Window Tint Laws Carry Over from State to State?” In summary, you can be held accountable if your tint breaks the regulations of another state; be aware of the laws of the road where you’re driving, not where your vehicle is registered.
Accounting for Factory Window Tint:
When you purchased your vehicle, it likely came with a small amount of installed window tint. This factory tint generally runs around 75-85% VLT. It needs to be measured and considered when installing aftermarket window film. Applying the darkest legal aftermarket tint film to windows with factory tints could leave you with a tint job beyond the legal VLT limit.
A reputable installer can measure your factory tint VLT and suggest the best aftermarket tint to layer on. Here at Frederick Window Tinting, we are the highest-rated installer of automotive window tint in Maryland. We stay up to date on the local regulations to ensure you’re compliant with Maryland tint laws. For more help with your window tint, give us a call today!