Louisiana Tint Laws: How Dark Can You Legally Go?
Louisiana's tint law changed in 2025 — front windows can now go darker. Here's the legal limit for every window, the rules on reflective film, medical exemptions, and how to stay legal.
If you've been holding off on tinting your front windows because Louisiana used to be strict, here's the news: the law changed. As of August 1, 2025, Louisiana drivers can legally go darker on their front side windows than ever before. But the rules still depend on which window you're tinting — and on whether you drive a sedan or an SUV. Here's the full breakdown from the team at Mobile Tint and Audio.
First, What Does VLT Mean?
Tint darkness is measured in VLT — Visible Light Transmission. It's the percentage of light that gets through the window.
Higher VLT = lighter tint (more light in)
Lower VLT = darker tint (less light in)
So a 25% VLT film only lets a quarter of the light through. That's a dark, private look — and in Louisiana, it's now legal on more windows than it used to be.
One important catch: VLT is measured through the film and the glass combined. Factory glass already blocks some light on its own, so a film that meters legal on its own can read darker once it's installed. A good shop meters your windows after the install to make sure you're compliant — we do.
The Legal Limits in Louisiana
Louisiana's tint law (R.S. 32:361.1) sets these limits:
Window | Sedan / Car | SUV / Van / Truck |
Windshield | Non-reflective tint on the top 5 inches only (above the AS-1 line) | Same |
Front side windows | 25% VLT or lighter | 25% VLT or lighter |
Back side windows | 25% VLT or lighter | Any darkness |
Rear window | 12% VLT or lighter | Any darkness |
The big change: for years, front side windows had to be 40% VLT or lighter. The 2025 update dropped that to 25%, so if you got a quote a few years ago and wished you could go darker — now you can.
The Other Rules People Forget
Darkness isn't the only thing the law covers:
Reflectivity: Tint can't be mirror-like. Louisiana caps luminous reflectance at 20% on all windows.
Colors: Red and amber tint are prohibited.
Windshield: No tint below the AS-1 line (the small marking on your windshield) or the top 5 inches — whichever the manufacturer set — without a medical exemption.
What About Medical Exemptions?
If you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to sunlight — conditions like lupus, photosensitivity, or a history of skin cancer — Louisiana allows darker tint with an approved exemption. You'll need:
Form DPSSP 1060 (Window Tint Medical Exemption Affidavit), completed and notarized, with your physician's certification
A copy of your Louisiana driver's license and your vehicle information
The certificate must be kept in your vehicle at all times, and Louisiana State Police issues a decal that must be displayed on the vehicle. An exemption is issued per vehicle, so a second car needs its own application.
What Happens If Your Tint Is Too Dark?
Illegal tint can mean a ticket and a fine — and the part that really stings: having to pay to have the film removed and redone legally. It's cheaper to get it right the first time with a shop that knows the law and meters the finished job.
The Bottom Line
Louisiana drivers have more freedom than they used to:
25% on the front sides is the new standard for every vehicle
Sedans: 25% back sides, 12% rear window
SUVs, vans, and trucks: go as dark as you want behind the front seats
Want help picking a shade that's legal and kills the Louisiana heat? That's exactly what we do every day at Mobile Tint and Audio. We serve New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, and Baton Rouge.
Book your appointment online or message us for a quote — we'll help you choose the right film for your car, your budget, and the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5% tint ("limo tint") legal in Louisiana?Only on the back side and rear windows of SUVs, vans, and trucks. On a sedan, the darkest legal options are 25% on the side windows and 12% on the rear window. On front side windows of any vehicle, 5% is not legal without a medical exemption.
Can I tint my whole windshield?No. Louisiana only allows non-reflective tint on the top 5 inches of the windshield (above the AS-1 line) unless you have a medical exemption.
My tint was installed before the 2025 law change. Am I legal?If your front windows were tinted to the old 40% standard, you're still legal — 40% is lighter than the new 25% minimum. And if you want to go darker now, the new law allows it.
Will tint shops guarantee their work is legal?A reputable shop should meter your windows after installation and confirm the combined VLT is within Louisiana limits. At Mobile Tint and Audio, that's standard on every job.
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