Window tint laws in California (2026)

The rules, window by window

Windshield

Objects or material on the windshield are generally prohibited (CVC 26708(a)). Transparent material may be applied to the topmost portion of the windshield subject to conditions in subsection (c), including that the material is not red or amber and does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of other vehicles.

The standard in the law's own words

A person shall not drive with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle that obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows (CVC 26708(a)(2)).

Reflectivity

Material permitted on the topmost portion of the windshield must not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles (CVC 26708(c)(4)). No general numeric reflectance limit for side or rear windows appears in the section text reviewed.

Color restrictions

Material on the topmost portion of the windshield must not be red or amber in color (CVC 26708(c)(2)).

Medical exemption

CVC 26708 allows sun screening or UV-blocking film supported by a letter or document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon, and subsection (e) permits clear, colorless UV-blocking film on side and rear windows with certification signed by a licensed dermatologist.

Enforcement

Clear film on front side windows under subsection (d) requires a certificate from the installing company or the film manufacturer to be in the vehicle. Related section CVC 26708.5 restricts the sale and installation of noncompliant sun screening devices.

Notes

California does not set a conventional aftermarket tint VLT scale. Front side windows: only clear, colorless film is permitted, and it must have a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent as film, or, combined with the window, meet the 70 percent minimum light transmittance of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205; the 70 recorded in the numeric field is that combined FMVSS 205 floor, and dark aftermarket tint on front side windows is effectively not permitted. Side windows to the rear of the driver are exempt from the prohibition (CVC 26708(b)(4)), so rear side windows have no state VLT floor. The rear window may be obstructed only if the vehicle has outside mirrors on both left and right sides reflecting a view of the highway at least 200 feet to the rear (CVC 26708(b)(8)). Section text as amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 417, effective January 1, 2026. This summary is informational and is not legal advice.