Window tint laws in Louisiana (2026)

The rules, window by window

Windshield

No sun screening device on the windshield except a transparent material, not red or amber in color, affixed to the topmost portion of the windshield and not extending more than 5 inches down from the top (La. R.S. 32:361.1(B)).

The standard in the law's own words

The section is titled 'View outward or inward through windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited' and generally prohibits materials that obscure the view outward or inward through the windshield or windows except as expressly permitted.

Reflectivity

Sun screening devices shall not have a luminous reflectance of more than 20% (La. R.S. 32:361.1(C)).

Color restrictions

The permitted windshield top strip may not be red or amber in color (La. R.S. 32:361.1(B)). No explicit color ban on side or rear window film was identified in the section text reviewed beyond the general obscuring prohibition.

Medical exemption

Under La. R.S. 32:361.2, a vehicle registered to an owner, spouse, or family member with a physical or medical condition involving the effects of the sun, certified by a licensed physician or optometrist, may obtain an exemption via an affidavit prepared by the office of state police, which must be kept in the vehicle at all times. For photophobia the physician must explain why sunglasses are insufficient and confirm night driving is not impaired. A notarized medical records release is required. Exemptions are reviewed every 3 years unless the department decides otherwise; a light-sensitive porphyria exemption lasts for the duration of ownership of the vehicle. Persons convicted of violent crimes or drug offenses are ineligible. No specific minimum transmittance under the exemption is stated in the section.

Enforcement

Manufacturers must certify compliance to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, with independent test laboratory data. Installers must affix a label (installer's name and city, not exceeding 1.5 square inches) to the lower right corner of the driver's side window. Operator fines: up to 150 dollars first offense, 250 dollars second, 350 dollars third or subsequent. Sellers, installers, manufacturers, or distributors: 1,000 dollars first offense, 2,000 dollars second, and prohibition from conducting business upon a third or subsequent conviction (La. R.S. 32:361.1(E)).

Notes

Louisiana measures combined transmittance: 'light transmission' is defined as the ratio of total light passing through the product or material including any glazing material, and the stated percentages (25% front side, 25% side window behind the driver, 12% rearmost windows) include all tolerances. Per La. R.S. 32:361.1(D)(4), the light transmittance requirements do not apply to windows behind the driver on trucks, buses, trailers, motor homes, and multipurpose passenger vehicles, nor to any windows on vehicles used for law enforcement; SUVs and vans classified as multipurpose passenger vehicles therefore face no rear-zone transmittance floor. Sun screening installed before January 1, 1994 is grandfathered with proper certification. Values verified directly from the official Louisiana State Legislature portal.