What are Tennessee's window tint laws?
Tennessee law doesn't allow window tint that lets through less than 35% of visible light, and windshield tint may not reduce light below 70%, except the maker's factory shade band (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-107).
General information, not legal advice. Check the current law, or ask the officer or court about your case.
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Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-107 (as amended by 2024 Pub. Ch. 602). Text as published on Justia (2025 edition), checked against the Tennessee General Assembly's records of the 2016 and 2024 amendments (SB1864 bill page). Last checked: 10 Nov 2026.
How dark can side and back windows be?
Film may not bring a window below 35% visible light transmittance. The statute makes it unlawful to drive on a public road with a window altered by material that "has a visible light transmittance of less than thirty-five percent (35%)".
What about the windshield?
Material on the windshield may not reduce its visible light transmittance below 70%. The one exception the statute names is "the manufacturer's standard installed shade band".
What must the installer give you?
A professional installer must put a label on the lower right corner of the driver's window with the installer's business name and the words "Complies with Tennessee Code Annotated, § 55-9-107." The installer must also give you a signed receipt.
The receipt has to show the date of installation, the vehicle's make, model, paint color and license plate number and state, the words "Complies with Tennessee Code Annotated, § 55-9-107, at date of installation" and "This receipt shall be kept with motor vehicle registration documents."
Are any vehicles exempt?
Yes, a few, listed in the statute. None of them exempts the front door windows: the law says the exemptions don't apply to "the front door windows of any motor vehicle of any kind".
- Vehicle models that federal rules allow to have certain windows tinted beyond the limit, for those windows.
- Vehicles with commercial or government service plates used for law enforcement, for the windows behind the front doors.
- Vehicles registered in another state that meet that state's rules.
- Vehicles owned or leased by licensed private investigators or investigation companies.
Is there a medical exemption?
Yes: a person whose medical condition is affected by ultraviolet light can ask the commissioner of safety for one with a physician's statement. Our guide to the Tennessee tint medical exemption explains the steps.
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