West Virginia Window Tint Laws

Darkest legal tint for Cars in West Virginia

 

  • Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield.
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Rear window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

 

Darkest legal tint for SUV and Vans in West Virginia

 

  • Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield.
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Any darkness window tint can be used
  • Rear window: Any darkness window tint can be used

 

Please note: The accuracy, completeness, adequacy or currency of the content is not warranted or guaranteed. We are not lawyers or a law firm and we do not provide legal advice. We recommend you consult a lawyer or other appropriate professional if you want legal advice.

 
Window Tint Shades Chart – Window Tint Percentage Examples
 

West Virginia vehicle window tint laws were first enacted in the year 1991 making them some of the oldest in the nation. In the three decades since the window film laws in West Virginia were first passed, there have been myriad developments and changes in the auto window tint products and installation techniques, so it’s important to regularly check and make sure you have legal window tint in West Virginia, as the fines for illegal window tint in the state can reach as high as $200 per infraction and repeated citations can be issued if you don’t get your banned window tint replaced or removed.
 
That said, window tint for a car in West Virginia is the best way to protect the interior of the car, truck, or SUV against the damage ultraviolet light can cause to the upholstery, dashboard, consoles, and other surfaces. UV damage can reduce the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle, making it worth less in resale value and less enjoyable for you, the current owner. And as UV light passing through regular glass can also cause skin damage that can lead to premature signs of aging and even to skin cancers, UV-blocking window tint is also an issue of health and safety.
 
Car window tint in West Virginia also blocks much of the hot infrared light that heats up the inside of your car, so blocking the IR light can keep the car cooler and more comfortable and make it more cost efficient by reducing the need for fuel and battery draining air conditioning.
 
And of course adding car tint in West Virginia enhances the looks and style of your car and can add privacy, keeping you, your family, or any other passengers in the vehicle more private and safe from the unwanted views of people in other cars or out walking on the streets.
Given the many benefits of window tinting for cars, it’s a great idea to have window film applied to your vehicle as long as it meets all West Virginia car tint rules. We’ll go through the types of tint allowed and the types banned for each window and each vehicle type to make sure there is no confusion as to what tint is legal in the state.

 

Windshield Tint Rules in West Virginia

 
All types of private vehicle in West Virginia (meaning cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, etc.) must follow the same rules for front windshield tint. A strip of non-reflective window tint is allowed along the top five inches of the windshield (an area often marked by the letter and number combination AS-1 and called the AS-1 line). This tint cannot be yellow, amber, or red in color.
 

Car Window Tint Laws in West Virginia

 
In the state of West Virginia, cars (meaning sedans, coupes, and convertibles) may have window tint that let’s in at least 35% of the sun’s visible light on all side windows as well as on the rear window. This means window tinting with what is called a VLT rating, or visible light transmission rating, of 35%. The higher the VLT rating, the less darkly tinted a window is, for reference.
 
Car window tint in West Virginia can be as much as 20% reflective (mirrored, e.g.) in appearance, so some metallic tint colors are permitted. As with windshields, yellow, red, and amber window tint colors are banned in the state.
 

Window Tint Laws in West Virginia for Trucks, Vans, and SUVs

 
West Virginia tint laws for vehicles other than cars, such as trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, and RVs (an abbreviation for vehicles other than cars is MPV, meaning multi-purpose vehicle, for reference) state that these vehicles may have 345 or lighter VLT window tint on the front side windows (those by the driver and the shotgun seat passenger) and can have window tint of any darkness (including blackout limo tint), on all rear side windows and on their rear windshields.
 
As with car window tint in West Virginia, window film applied to MPVs may be up a maximum of 20% reflective, and the colors yellow, amber, and red are illegal.
 

Other Window Tint Rules in West Virginia

 
There are several rules beyond window tint visible light transmission, color, and reflectivity restrictions that apply to auto tinting in West Virginia, and many of these regulations have to do with things beyond the physical tint itself. But first note that West Virginia state law does not allow for any variance for window tint darkness such as is allowed in many states, so have to know the exact VLT% of your tint meets the rules – even a tint rated 1% darker than allowed by state law can technically get you a full cost tint ticket.
 
The first rule to note is common and basic: vehicles with any window film on any window behind the driver’s seat means the vehicle must have twin side view mirrors installed.
 
Next, note that manufacturers, vendors, and installers of window tint for cars in West Virginia must certify the tint they provide as meeting state rules, so be sure to ask your window tint provider if they are using officially certified tint.
 
State tint law also mandates stickers identifying legal window tint are applied between the window glass and tint on every window where aftermarket tint is applied.
 
West Virginia window film rules do allow for medical exemptions to tinting laws, so if you need a darker window film that allowed by current rules in order to protect your eyes or skin, talk to a medical professional about getting an exemption that will clear you to get darker window tint for your vehicle. Just be sure to keep documentation proving you qualify for an exemption in the vehicle at all times.
 

Window Tint Violations in West Virginia

 
Window tint tickets in West Virginia can be assessed as high as $200 per infraction. Window tint violations are assessed as misdemeanors and can become a rather serious legal issue if you receive multiple citations or if your tint infraction comes while you are facing other legal issues as well.
 
That said, $200 is the maximum current West Virginia window ticket fine allowed under the state’ s code (CHAPTER 17C. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE ROAD. ARTICLE 15. EQUIPMENT. §17C-15-36a. Sun-screening devices; penalty) so as long as you quickly have your illegal tint removed, a single violation need not be a major issue.
 

Darkest legal tint for Sedans in West Virginia

  • Windshield: Non-reflective window tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield.
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Rear window: Must allow more than 35% of light in.

 

Darkest legal tint for SUV and Vans in West Virginia

  • Windshield: Non-reflective window tint is allowed on the top 5 inches of the windshield.
  • Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
  • Back Side windows: Any darkness window tint can be used
  • Rear window: Any darkness window tint can be used