Window tint laws in New Mexico (2026)

The rules, window by window

Windshield

Sun screening material on the windshield shall be nonreflective, shall not be red, yellow, or amber in color, and shall be used only along the top of the windshield, not extending downward beyond the ASI (AS-1) line or more than 5 inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top (NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(B)(1)).

The standard in the law's own words

The section operates through the numeric 20% light transmission floor and the nonreflective requirement rather than a general visibility standard.

Reflectivity

Sun screening material on all windows must be nonreflective, defined as designed to absorb light rather than to reflect it (NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(B), (H)(3)).

Color restrictions

Windshield sun screening may not be red, yellow, or amber (NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(B)(1)). No color restriction is stated for side or rear windows beyond the nonreflective requirement.

Medical exemption

The section does not apply to a vehicle registered to a person (or the person's legal guardian) who holds an affidavit signed by a New Mexico licensed physician or optometrist stating a physical condition makes darker sun screening necessary; the affidavit must be in the person's possession at all times while being transported in the vehicle (NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(E)).

Enforcement

Manufacturers must certify compliance to the division and provide a permanent label (max 1.5 square inches) between film and glass in the lower left corner of each glazing surface, showing manufacturer name, manufacture date, and light transmission percentage; installers may not install without affixing the label; selling non-compliant material is prohibited (NMSA 1978, 66-3-846.1(C)-(D)). Violation is a penalty assessment misdemeanor (subsection I, as amended 2018).

Notes

New Mexico applies a single 20% minimum light transmission to the front side windows, side windows behind the driver, and the rearmost window, permitted only on vehicles equipped with one right and one left outside rearview mirror. 'Light transmission' is defined as the ratio of total light passing through the product or material to total light falling on it (combined measurement through film plus glazing as installed). The light transmission requirement does not apply to windows behind the driver on truck tractors, buses, recreational vehicles, multipurpose passenger vehicles, or motor homes (subsection F), so SUVs and vans classified as multipurpose passenger vehicles have no rear-zone floor. Glazing compliant with federal standards and material installed before July 1, 1997 are exempt. Primary-source note: text verified from the Justia reproduction of the 2025 New Mexico Statutes (official portal nmonesource.com was not fetched in this pass); section history confirms 2018 amendment (Laws 2018, ch. 74).