Window tint laws in Alabama (2026)

The rules, window by window

Windshield

Material or glazing may not be applied to the windshield except for a strip along the top; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's public guidance states this strip is limited to the upper six inches and the material used must be transparent. The core statutory text obtained (32-5C-2) prohibits windshield material that reduces light transmission, subject to the exceptions in 32-5C-3 (not independently verified in this pass, see notes).

Reflectivity

Material may not increase light reflectance to more than 20 percent, with a measurement tolerance of at least 3 percent (Code of Alabama 32-5C-2).

Medical exemption

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency guidance describes a medical exemption process administered through the Driver License Division's Medical Records Unit, requiring physician certification, with conditions and limitations set by the Department of Public Safety. The exact statutory text of 32-5C-4 (Medical Exemptions) was not independently retrieved in this pass; this is based on the official ALEA program page rather than the codified section text itself.

Enforcement

Light transmission must be measured with a device or instrument capable of measuring light transmission before a person may be charged with a violation (32-5C-2). Compliance stickers/labels are required to be affixed by authorized tinting dealers per ALEA guidance (corresponding to 32-5C-5/32-5C-6, not independently verified). Personal-use vehicles belonging to and occupied by active or retired state, local, or federal law enforcement officers are exempt from the tinting restrictions if the officer carries law enforcement identification.

Notes

Alabama applies a single 32% VLT / 20% reflectance standard to side and rear windows uniformly per the statutory text of 32-5C-2 (Code of Alabama, Title 32, Chapter 5C). ALEA's official guidance page adds a distinction not confirmed directly in the statutory text retrieved: for multi-purpose and recreational vehicles, the front windshield and front seat windows follow the same rule as passenger cars, but windows behind the driver may be tinted darker, limited only by what the vehicle manufacturer permits under federal law (49 CFR 571.205), with outside rearview mirrors required when darker rear tint is installed. This MPV/SUV distinction should be verified against the statutory text of 32-5C-3 directly if a human reviewer has access to the alison.legislature.state.al.us portal, which could not be fetched (JavaScript-rendered) in this research pass. The statute does not appear to distinguish 'net' film-only VLT from 'combined' glass+film VLT in the text retrieved; industry guidance generally treats Alabama's percentage as combined (glass+film) transmission, but this was not confirmed from primary text and should be treated as unverified.