Georgia Window Tint Laws 2026: Legal Limits

Georgia’s tint law changed on July 1, 2026

We get questions about the Georgia tint law every day, and this year the rules changed. On July 1, 2026, a new state law (House Bill 1161) took effect. It lowered the front side window limit from 32% to 28% and set a new 15% limit for the rear windows on cars.

Here’s what’s legal now, in plain English.

The legal limits at a glance

Tint is measured in VLT, or visible light transmission. That’s the percentage of light that gets through the window. The lower the number, the darker the tint.

Window	Cars	SUVs, trucks & vans*
Front windshield	Top 6 inches only	Top 6 inches only
Front side windows	At least 28%	At least 28%
Rear side windows	At least 15%	Any darkness
Rear windshield	At least 15%	Any darkness
Reflectivity	20% or less	20% or less

Cars means sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and wagons. No film is allowed on the rest of the windshield. Each limit has a 3% tolerance, plus or minus, and the windshield strip can’t be red or amber.

*The SUV, truck and van column applies to what Georgia calls a “multipurpose passenger vehicle.” More on that below.

Is my vehicle a “multipurpose passenger vehicle”?

Georgia law defines it as a vehicle built to carry 10 people or fewer that’s built on a truck chassis or has special features for occasional off-road driving. Most pickups, many SUVs and most vans qualify. These vehicles can have any darkness behind the driver. The front side windows still have to be at least 28%.

Not sure about yours? Check the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb. Many vehicles list their type there, such as “MPV” or “Truck.” If you’re still not sure, bring it by and we’ll help you figure it out.

How tint is measured

Officers use a small meter that reads how much light passes through the whole window, both the glass and the film together. Car glass already blocks some light on its own, so a film rated around 35% can read darker once it’s on the glass.

That’s why we don’t just pick a number off a chart. We choose a film shade that keeps your total reading legal on your vehicle.

What if my car already has tint?

Your tint is 32% or lighter: you’re still legal. The new limits are darker than the old ones.
Your car’s rear windows are darker than 32%: they may be legal now, as long as they read at least 15%.
Your tint is too dark, peeling or bubbling: we can remove it and install new 3M film. You save 20% on removal when you replace it with new tint from us. See tint removal.

Medical exemptions

If you have a medical condition that requires extra shielding from the sun, you can apply to the Georgia Department of Public Safety for an exemption.

A licensed physician or optometrist has to sign a statement with your diagnosis and why you need the shielding.
The application fee is $10.
If it’s approved, you’ll get an exemption letter that’s good for four years. Keep it in the vehicle at all times.
The exemption doesn’t allow windshield tint. It also doesn’t allow the front side windows to go below 23%.

You can find the application on the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s website.

What happens if your tint is illegal?

In Georgia, driving with tint that breaks these limits is a misdemeanor. It’s also a misdemeanor for a shop to install it. That’s why we won’t install film that reads darker than the law allows, and why a cheap, too-dark tint job can end up costing you a ticket plus the cost of removing it.

We’ll help you get it right

The Tint Guy has been tinting cars in North Atlanta since 1986. As a 3M Pro Shop, we install 3M Obsidian, Color Stable IR, Ceramic IR and Crystalline films. We’ll show you which shades are legal on your vehicle before we start.

Book online
Woodstock / Marietta: 921 Jamerson Rd, Marietta, GA 30066, 770-592-4265
Kennesaw / Acworth: 3235 Odeon Way, Suite 220, Kennesaw, GA 30144, 770-975-2568

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sources

This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The written law controls.

Georgia Window Tint Laws (2026 Update)