“Is 20% tint legal in Georgia?” It’s one of the questions we hear most. And since July 1, 2026, the answer has changed.
The short answer: 20% tint is now legal on the back windows of every vehicle in Georgia, including sedans. It is still not legal on your front door windows.
Here’s what changed and what it means for your car.
What changed on July 1, 2026
Before July, Georgia had one number for most cars: every side window and the rear windshield had to let in at least 32% of light. That meant 20% tint was illegal everywhere on a sedan.
A new state law, House Bill 1161, took effect on July 1, 2026. It split the rule into two numbers:
| Window | Cars (sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, wagons) | Most SUVs, trucks and vans |
|---|---|---|
| Front door windows | At least 28% | At least 28% |
| Rear door windows | At least 15% | Any darkness |
| Rear windshield | At least 15% | Any darkness |
| Front windshield | Top 6 inches only | Top 6 inches only |
Each limit has a 3% tolerance, and film can’t be more than 20% reflective. For the full rules, see our Georgia tint law guide.
Where 20% tint is legal now
On a car: 20% is legal on the rear door windows and the rear windshield. The limit back there is now 15%, so 20% is lighter than the limit.
On an SUV, truck or van: 20% is legal on every window behind the driver. That part didn’t change. These vehicles can go as dark as you want in back, even 5%.
Where 20% tint is still illegal
Your front door windows. The driver and passenger windows have to let in at least 28% of light on every vehicle. With the 3% tolerance, an officer’s meter needs to read at least 25%. A 20% film is too dark for the front, no matter what you drive.
Your glass counts too
Here’s the part a lot of people miss. When an officer checks your tint, the meter reads the whole window: the glass and the film together. Car glass isn’t perfectly clear to start with, so the reading comes out a little darker than the film’s number.
That’s why we don’t just go by the label on the film. We check your glass and help you choose a shade that keeps your finished window legal. If your truck or SUV has dark factory glass in back, we’ll match your front doors to it with a legal shade.
What a 20% look costs you on the front
Some people want 20% on the front anyway. Here’s what to know before you decide:
- It’s a misdemeanor in Georgia. There’s no fix-it ticket, so you’ll answer in court.
- You’ll have to take the film off. That means paying for removal and new tint.
- It’s harder to see at night. Darker front windows make it tougher to spot people and cars on dark roads.
If you want a darker look up front, a ceramic film is the better way to get it. Our 3M Ceramic IR blocks up to 95% of infrared (IR) heat, the heat you feel from the sun, even in a lighter, legal shade. You get the comfort without the ticket.
Popular legal combinations
Here’s what most of our customers choose now:
- Sedans: a legal shade on the front doors, with a darker shade on the back windows and rear windshield.
- SUVs and trucks with factory privacy glass: the front doors tinted to match the factory glass in back, as close as the law allows.
- SUVs and trucks without privacy glass: a legal shade up front, and as dark as you like in back.
Not sure what you want? Stop by either shop and we’ll hold the shades up to your windows so you can see the difference.
Do you need a medical exemption?
Some people with medical conditions need extra protection from the sun. Georgia’s Department of Public Safety can issue a medical exemption with a letter from your doctor or optometrist. Even with an exemption, the front door windows can’t go below 23%, and the windshield rule doesn’t change.
Common questions
Is 20% tint legal on the back windows of a sedan in Georgia?
Yes, as of July 1, 2026. The rear limit for cars is now 15%.
Is 20% tint legal on the front windows in Georgia?
No. Front door windows must let in at least 28% of light on every vehicle.
Can I get 5% tint in Georgia?
Only on the back windows of most SUVs, trucks and vans. It’s too dark for any window on a car, and too dark for the front doors of any vehicle.
I got 20% on my back windows before July. Am I legal now?
On the back windows, yes. If your front doors are darker than 28%, those still aren’t legal.
What’s the darkest legal tint on a car in Georgia?
28% on the front doors and 15% on the back windows, each with a 3% tolerance.
Ready to tint?
We’ve been tinting cars in North Atlanta since 1986, and we only use 3M film. We’ll walk you through what’s legal on your vehicle before we start, so you can choose with confidence.
- See prices: Price Guide
- Book online: Schedule now
- Woodstock shop: 921 Jamerson Rd, Marietta, GA 30066 · 770-592-4265
- Kennesaw shop: 3235 Odeon Way, Suite 220, Kennesaw, GA 30144 · 770-975-2568