Louisiana Window Tint Law 2025 – All You Need to Know

Each state has its own limits on the darkness of passenger car windows. Your vehicle cannot have windows darker than the legal requirements in your state. Knowing the Louisiana window tint law ensures you and others remain safe on the road and helps you avoid potential penalties.

Window tint is helpful for drivers to prevent overly bright light, glare, and even heat from entering the vehicle. However, extreme tints can cause more harm than they prevent. The state limits the tint and reflectivity of vehicle windows on most vehicles to maintain public safety.

What Are Window Tint Laws in Louisiana?

The window tint laws in Louisiana limit how dark and reflective the windows on most vehicles are allowed to be. Windows must allow a certain level of visible light in and prevent them from being made too reflective. These laws improve visibility from inside the vehicle and also improve visibility when looking in from the outside, making it easier for police officers to view the interior of vehicles. Adhering to these laws is important for safety, especially in the event of a car accident, as clear visibility can help prevent accidents and aid in investigations.

The higher the percentage of light transmission a window has, the lighter its tint is. Lower light transmission means that the window is more darkly tinted.

Passenger vehicles must comply with these laws, which require that no material, transparent material, or object be put on or fastened to the windshield or the front side windows that would obstruct the driver’s view or reduce the light transmission. Window tint glazing and sun screening devices are allowed when the following is true:

1. The transparent material added to the top of the windshield does not extend past five inches and is not red or amber.
2. The front side windows have a light transmission of at least 40% or more.
3. The side windows behind the driver have a light transmission of at least 25% or more.
4. The rear windows have a light transmission of 12% or more.

These restrictions do not include opaque or translucent sun visors attached to the vehicle in front of the side windows if they are not attached to the glass.

Louisiana also restricts the reflectivity of vehicle windows. Not all windows can have reflectivity higher than 20%. Reflectivity can also make it difficult to view the inside of a vehicle and cause visibility issues for other drivers on the road.

Exceptions to Louisiana Window Tint Laws

Window tint laws apply differently to specific vehicles, particularly to the windows that are not to the front or side of the driver. The vehicles which do not need to comply with these requirements on windows behind the driver include:

• Trucks
• Buses
• Motor homes
• Trailers
• Multipurpose passenger vehicles, which include SUVs and vans
• Vehicles used for law enforcement purposes

However, most of these vehicles still have certain requirements for front windshields and side windows. Window tint laws do not apply to law enforcement vehicles. This includes publicly owned law enforcement vehicles and vehicles used for enforcement by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Medical Exemptions for the Louisiana Window Tint Law

Individuals with certain medical conditions can be exempt from the window tint laws for vehicles they are the registered owner of or for vehicles their spouse or immediate family member owns that the qualifying individuals have significant use of. Potential medical conditions that qualify for window tint exemptions include:

• Albinism
• Lupus
• Porphyria
• Photophobia

The individual must be diagnosed by a licensed professional and file an affidavit that shows they are exempt from the legal restrictions on window tint and/or reflectivity.

Penalties for Failing to Comply With Window Tint Laws

Operating a vehicle that does not comply with the window tint restrictions can lead to fines, and these fines will increase with each subsequent violation. Manufacturers must certify their vehicles as being in accordance with the legal requirements, and drivers should always ensure that the window tint of a vehicle is certified.

The fines for manufacturers of vehicles are much more significant than for the drivers of vehicles. After three violations of the window tint laws, a manufacturer, seller, distributor, or individuals installing the windows will be prohibited from conducting business.

FAQs

What Is the Darkest Legal Tint Allowed in Louisiana?

The darkest legal tint allowed for vehicle windows in Louisiana depends on the type of vehicle, its use, and where the window in the vehicle is located. The window that allows the darkest tint is the rear window, which requires a light transmission of at least 12% or more. The side windows at the front of the vehicle require at least 40% of visible light transmission, making them much brighter. Different vehicles may have different requirements.

What Is the New Louisiana Tint Law?

The newest Louisiana tint law updates what vehicles are exempted from the tint requirements and now includes publicly owned law enforcement vehicles used and owned for enforcement purposes by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Like other law enforcement vehicles, these vehicles can have darker tints than other vehicles. This change became effective on August 1, 2024.

Is 20% Tint Legal in Louisiana?

20% tint may be legal in Louisiana, depending on the type of vehicle, what it is used for, and which windows have this tint. A 20% tint means that the window allows 20% transmission of visible light. In Louisiana, this is typically only allowed on the rear window of vehicles or on any windows behind the driver of vehicles such as SUVs, vans, buses, and trucks. Most other windows require a higher visible light transmission to be legal.

What Is the Purpose of Window Tint Laws?

Window tint laws exist to improve safety on the road and during traffic stops, investigations, and other public safety issues. When window tints are too dark, it limits the visibility of the driver, making accidents more likely. Dark window tints also make it difficult for law enforcement officers to look inside vehicles during traffic stops and when parked. This can prevent officers from having probable cause to search a vehicle, which may inhibit investigations.

Get Help With Your Car Accident Case Today

When drivers are involved in a collision, individuals can file insurance claims with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If a driver caused an accident because their window tint was illegally dark and limited their visibility, either they or the manufacturer responsible for the window tint could be held liable for the accident and the resulting injuries. Contact Murphy Law Firm today to see how we can support your case and use our decades of experience to your benefit.

About The Author

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, is the founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in personal injury law. Peyton obtained his law degree from the prestigious Tulane School of Law in 1991 and has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1993. With over 28 years of experience, Peyton is dedicated to representing injured victims and actively contributing to his community. Education: Obtained his law degree from Tulane School of Law in 1991. Professional Associations: Member of the Louisiana State Bar and active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Experience: Founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, with extensive experience in personal injury law and licensed in multiple federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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