Stay compliant with Florida tint laws. Learn legal limits, penalties, and tips to avoid fines with this clear, updated guide.

If you’ve ever stood in a tint shop in Florida squinting at sample cards and wondering, Okay, but what’s actually legal, believe me, you’re not alone.

A few years ago, I bought a used SUV that already had a tint on it. I assumed it was legal. Spoiler: it wasn’t. I learned the hard way when a friendly-but-firm Florida trooper explained the law with a tint meter on the side of the road. That moment is exactly why I created this detailed guide to help you avoid the same awkward conversation.

Whether you’re trying to keep your car cool in the Florida heat, avoid tickets, or simply understand the rules without legal jargon, this guide breaks everything down clearly, visually, and practically.

Quick Summary (At a Glance)

Florida Tint Laws (Fast Facts):

• Front Side Windows: Must allow 28% of light in
  
• Back Side Windows (Sedan): Must allow 15%
  
• Back Side Windows (SUV/Truck): Any darkness allowed
  
• Rear Window (Sedan): 15%
  
• Rear Window (SUV/Truck): Any darkness
  
• Windshield: Non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line only
  
• Reflectivity: Limited  no mirror-like tint
  
• Medical Exemption: Allowed with documentation

Most drivers just need this quick snapshot. But if you want the full breakdown with examples, answers, personal insight, and practical tips keep reading.

Legal Tint Percentages in Florida (Chart)

This is the chart people search for first the one they screenshot and save.

Florida Legal Tint Chart (2025)

Window	Sedans – Legal Tint	SUVs/Trucks – Legal Tint
Front Side Windows	28%	28%
Back Side Windows	15%	Any darkness
Rear Window	15%	Any darkness
Windshield	Non-reflective tint above AS-1 line	Same

Simple, visual, and clear  exactly what searchers want.

What Are the Legal Tint Percentages in Florida?

Let’s break this down in plain English.

Front Windows:
Your front side windows must let in at least 28% of visible light. That’s it. No complicated statute numbers. Just 28%.

Back Windows (Sedan):
If you drive a sedan or coupe, your back windows must allow 15% light transmission.

Back Windows (SUV/Truck):
If you drive an SUV, crossover, or truck? You’re in luck Florida allows any darkness on the back windows. Yes, even limo tint.

Rear Window:
Same rules as the back side windows:

• Sedan: 15%
• SUV: Any darkness

Windshield:
This is where many people get confused.
Florida only allows non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line.
The AS-1 line is a little mark near the top of your windshield.

If your tint goes below that line, you’re asking for a ticket.

Florida Tint Laws for Sedans vs. SUVs: Know the Difference

Quick story: I once met a guy at a tint shop who swore that tint laws apply the same to every car. He was confident. He was also completely wrong.

Florida tint laws change depending on what you drive.

Sedans Must Follow Stricter Rules

• 28% on front windows
• 15% on rear windows
• 15% on back windows

SUVs and Trucks Get More Freedom

• 28% on front windows
• Any darkness on everything behind the driver

If you’re driving a family SUV, you can go as dark as you want in the back Florida allows it because SUVs are treated like multi-purpose vehicles.

Is 20% Tint Legal in Florida?

This is one of the most Googled tint questions.

Short answer:

• 20% is NOT legal on front windows
• 20% IS legal on the back windows of a sedan
• 20% IS legal anywhere except the front windows on SUVs

Since the front windows must be 28%, 20% is too dark.

If you put 20% on your front windows, you’re at high risk of getting pulled over especially at night.

Windshield Tint Law in Florida (Explained Simply)

Florida keeps windshield tint strict for safety reasons.

You can only tint:
Above the AS-1 line
With non-reflective tint

That’s the key: it cannot be mirror-like or shiny.

If you’ve ever seen someone with a fully tinted windshield from top to bottom, trust me they’re not legal, and they’re rolling the dice.

What Does 28%, 20%, 15%, and 5% Tint Actually Look Like?

This is where many people get confused. Tint percentages describe how much light gets through, not how dark it looks.

Here’s a quick visual description:

• 28% Tint:
  Lightly tinted. You can still see inside the vehicle in daylight.
  
• 20% Tint:
  Medium-dark. You can see shapes inside but not details.
  
• 15% Tint:
  Dark. This is the legal limit for sedan back windows in Florida.
  
• 5% Tint (Limo Tint):
  Very dark. You can barely see inside. Illegal on front windows.

A lot of drivers mistakenly think 28% is nearly clear. It’s actually darker than people expect.

Medical Exemptions for Darker Tint in Florida

If standard legal tint isn’t enough because of health issues, Florida allows medical exemptions.

Conditions that commonly qualify:

• Lupus
• Photosensitivity
• Skin cancer
• Albinism

You’ll need documentation from a licensed physician.

With a medical exemption, you can legally use darker tint than the standard limits  including on front windows.

Florida Tint Ticket Cost and Penalties

Nobody wants a tint ticket, but here’s what you should know.

Tint Ticket Cost in Florida

A typical illegal tint ticket costs around $116 (may vary by county).

Do You Have to Remove the Tint?

Yes and once you do, you may need to show proof of correction.

Can You Be Pulled Over for Tint Alone?

Absolutely. Tint is a primary offense in Florida. If your windows look too dark, you can be stopped.

How Police Test Tint in Florida

You’ve probably seen the tint meter before  a little device that clamps over your window.

Police use a VLT meter. VLT = Visible Light Transmission

It measures exactly how much light passes through your window.

A couple things most people don’t know:

1. Factory tint + aftermarket tint combine, reducing the final percentage.
   
2. Even a 28% tint film can read lower if the glass already has tint.

That’s why it’s safer to go a little lighter than the max limit.

Factory Tint vs. Aftermarket Tint Explained

Many drivers think their factory tint is legal forever, but that’s not how it works.

Factory Tint

• Usually around 70% on front windows
• Often 20–30% on the back (especially SUVs)

Aftermarket Tint

• Added film
• Darkens whatever is already there

So if your SUV rear windows are factory-tinted to 20% and you add 20% film. Your final tint may measure closer to 7–10%, which is very dark.

This can be legal for SUVs but not for sedans which is why knowing your vehicle type matters.

Practical Advice: Choosing the Best Legal Tint in Florida

Here’s what I tell friends and family when they ask what tint they should get.

For Sedans

• Front: 30% (gives wiggle room above 28%)
• Back: 15% (legal and looks balanced)

For SUVs

• Front: 30%
• Back: Whatever darkness you prefer

Best Tint for Florida Heat

If you live in Miami, Tampa, or Orlando, the summer sun can feel like a punishment.

Your best option is ceramic tint not because of darkness, but because:

• It blocks heat
• It blocks UV
• It blocks infrared radiation

And no, ceramic tint doesn’t affect legality percentage.

Will 20% or 15% Get You Pulled Over in Florida?

This depends mostly on where you place the tint.

• 20% on front windows = Very likely to get stopped
  
• 15% on front windows = Almost guaranteed to get stopped
  
• 20% or 15% on back windows = Perfectly legal for sedans
  
• Any darkness = Legal on back of SUVs

If you want zero stress:
→ Stay at or above 30% on front windows.

Enforcement (What People Really Want to Know)

Searchers always wonder if tint enforcement varies by county and honestly, it does.

Stricter Counties

• Miami-Dade
• Broward
• Palm Beach
• Hillsborough
• Orange

Less Strict (But Still Enforced)

• Rural counties
• Northern Florida

No matter where you live, if your tint looks suspiciously dark, you’re fair game for a traffic stop.

FAQs: Florida Tint Laws (Fast Answers)

Is 20% tint legal in Florida?

Not on the front. Legal on sedan rear windows and all SUV rear windows.

Can you tint your whole windshield?

No. Only above the AS-1 line.

Is 5% tint legal in Florida?

Only on the back windows of SUVs.

Can you get pulled over for tint alone?

Yes.

How much is a tint ticket?

Around $116.

Does ceramic tint change the legal percentage?

No legality depends on VLT, not tint type.

Do I need documentation for medical tint?

Yes. A doctor’s note is required.

Final Thoughts

Florida tint laws can feel confusing at first, but once you break them down into simple percentages and easy examples, everything clicks.

The big takeaway:

• Front windows: 28%
• Sedan back windows: 15%
• SUV back windows: Any darkness
• Windshield: Only above AS-1

Additional Resources

• Florida Statute 316.29545 – Medical Tint Exemptions: Explains exemptions for individuals with medical conditions requiring darker tint, plus guidelines for special-purpose and law-enforcement vehicles.