Are You Driving Around Michigan With Illegal Window Tint?

You might have noticed when you're driving around Michigan or walking through a parking lot that some cars have no window tint, while others have tint so dark you couldn't see inside even if you had a flashlight.

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Window tint is legal in Michigan, but it's important to make sure you're not breaking the law.

Not only would you be wasting money on window tint that you have to remove, but you could also be hit with a fine or ticket.

What Are Michigan's Window Tint Laws

Here is a breakdown of what Michigan law says about window tint.

Windshield: Only a non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield. This is often referred to as an "eyebrow strip" or "sun strip."

No other tinting or materials that obstruct the driver's view are permitted on the main part of the windshield.

Front Side Windows (driver and front passenger): These windows must allow at least 35% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). This means the tint must let in 35% or more of visible light.

It's best to err on the side of caution and make sure the entire front side window meets the 35% VLT if you choose to tint beyond the top 4 inches.

Reflective and mirrored tints are generally not allowed on the front side windows.

Rear Side Windows (behind the driver) and Rear Window: You are allowed to apply any darkness of tint to these windows. This includes the very dark "limo tint."

However, if your rear window is tinted or otherwise obstructed, your vehicle must be equipped with two outside rearview mirrors (one on each side) that are adjusted to give the driver a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.

These windows are also limited to 35% reflectivity, meaning reflective films that create a total solar reflectance of 35% or more are prohibited.

Read More: Tickets That Do the Most Damage to Your Michigan Driving Record

If you're getting your windows tinted it's probably best to err on the side of caution, and to go lighter on the tint instead of darker.