What is the penalty for illegal window tint in Georgia?

A window tint violation under O.C.G.A. 40-8-73.1 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment.

How reflective can window tint be in Georgia?

No window may exceed 20% reflectivity. Highly mirrored or chrome-style films are not legal in Georgia.

Georgia Tint Law Guide

Georgia
Window Tint
Laws 2026

Q: What is the darkest legal tint in Georgia?

As of July 1, 2026, Georgia requires front side windows to allow at least 28% of light through (28% VLT, plus or minus 3%) on all vehicles. On sedans and other passenger cars, the back side windows and rear window must allow at least 15% VLT. SUVs, trucks, and vans may use any darkness on those windows.

Q: Can I get 20% tint on my SUV in Georgia?

Yes, on the back side windows and rear window only. The front side windows must still allow at least 28% VLT, so 20% tint on the front windows is illegal regardless of vehicle type.

Q: Can I get 20% tint on my sedan in Georgia?

Only on the back. Sedans can go as dark as 15% VLT on the back side windows and rear window, so 20% is legal there. The front side windows must allow at least 28%, so 20% is too dark for the front.

Q: My tint was installed in Tennessee — is it legal in Georgia?

In most cases, yes. Tennessee requires at least 35% VLT, and Georgia's limits are now darker (28% front, 15% on the back of cars), so tint that meets Tennessee's rule also meets Georgia's.

Legal VLT percentages for Georgia vehicles, reflectivity limits, sedan vs. SUV rules, medical exemptions, and penalties — from Chattanooga's tint specialists serving Ringgold and the Georgia border.

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Last verified: October 2026 · O.C.G.A. § 40-8-73.1, as amended by HB 1161 (effective July 1, 2026)

Georgia's limits changed on July 1, 2026. Front side windows now require 28% VLT (down from 32%). On cars, the back side windows and rear window now have their own 15% limit. SUVs, trucks, and vans are exempt behind the driver. Know your vehicle type before you book.

Quick Reference

GA Tint Limits at a Glance

Georgia's key numbers are 28% on the front side windows and 15% on a car's back side and rear windows. Both limits carry a ±3% tolerance written into the statute. SUVs, trucks, and vans can go darker behind the driver.

Windshield

Non-reflective tint on top 6 inches only, above the AS-1 line

Front Side Windows

28%

Must allow 28% VLT or more — all vehicles, no exceptions

Back & Rear (Cars)

15%

Sedans and other passenger cars must allow 15% VLT or more on back side windows and the rear window

Back & Rear (SUV/Truck)

Any

SUVs, trucks, and vans may use any darkness on back side windows and the rear window

Reflectivity

20%

Maximum reflectivity allowed on any window

Sedan vs SUV

Rules By Vehicle Type

The difference between a sedan and an SUV/truck still matters for rear tint. Cars have a 15% limit on every window behind the front doors. SUVs, trucks, and vans have none.

Sedans / Passenger Cars

WindshieldTop 6" only

Front Side Windows28% VLT min

Back Side Windows15% VLT min

Rear Window15% VLT min

Reflectivity (all)Max 20%

SUVs / Trucks / Vans

WindshieldTop 6" only

Front Side Windows28% VLT min

Back Side WindowsAny darkness

Rear WindowAny darkness

Reflectivity (all)Max 20%

Sunroof window tint installation Chattanooga Auto Film Pros serving Georgia

Prepping sun visor tint installation Chattanooga serving Ringgold GA

Full Reference

Complete GA Tint Law Table

Window	Sedan	SUV / Truck / Van	Reflectivity	Status
Windshield	Top 6" non-reflective only	Top 6" non-reflective only	Non-reflective	Restricted
Front Side Windows	28% VLT min	28% VLT min	Max 20%	28% Min
Back Side Windows	15% VLT min	Any darkness	Max 20%	Varies
Rear Window	15% VLT min	Any darkness	Max 20%	Varies
Red / Amber Tint	Prohibited on all windows		—	Illegal

Georgia's statute writes in a ±3% tolerance for meter readings. We spec every install to the stated limit, not the tolerance.

Reflectivity & Colors

What Else Is Regulated

Reflectivity Limits

No window may exceed 20% reflectivity — O.C.G.A. § 40-8-73.1(b)(2)
Highly mirrored or chrome-style films are not legal in Georgia
Standard ceramic and carbon films are well within the limit
The 20% reflectivity cap applies to both front and rear windows

Prohibited Colors

These colors are banned on all windows regardless of darkness:

Red

Prohibited

Amber

Prohibited

Penalties

What Happens If You Get Pulled Over

Georgia treats a tint violation as a criminal misdemeanor, not just a traffic ticket.

Georgia Tint Violation Penalty

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-8-73.1, a window tint violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment. Officers use a calibrated tint meter during traffic stops to measure VLT. Even if the meter later reads legal, the stop itself may stand if the officer had reasonable suspicion. You will likely also be required to remove the non-compliant film before your vehicle can be registered or resold.

Note: Georgia law also requires film manufacturers to certify the film they sell in the state. Always ask your installer to confirm the film is Georgia-certified and to provide written documentation of the installed VLT.

Medical Exemptions

Darker Tint for Medical Conditions

Qualifying Conditions

Lupus and photosensitive autoimmune conditions
Solar urticaria or severe sun allergy
Melanoma or skin cancer recovery
Eye conditions requiring reduced light exposure
Any condition certified by a licensed physician or optometrist

How to Qualify

Obtain certification from a licensed physician or optometrist
Documentation must be kept in the vehicle at all times
Annual verification from your doctor may be required
Exemption does not override reflectivity or color restrictions
Confirm eligibility with your doctor before booking a darker install

TN vs GA Comparison

Crossing State Lines?

Many of our Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe customers commute between Tennessee and Georgia. Georgia's limits are now darker than Tennessee's, so tint installed to Tennessee's 35% standard also meets Georgia's 28% front and 15% rear limits. Going the other way, Tennessee's statute exempts vehicles registered in another state that meet their home state's requirements, so a Georgia-registered vehicle tinted to Georgia's limits is covered there too. Tell us where your vehicle is registered when you book and we'll spec it accordingly.

Rule	Tennessee	Georgia
Front Side Windows	35% VLT min	28% VLT min
Sedan Back & Rear Windows	35% VLT min	15% VLT min
SUV Back & Rear Windows	Any darkness	Any darkness
Penalty	Class C misdemeanor	Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 12 months

Wayne installing window tint at Chattanooga Auto Film Pros serving Georgia customers

Wayne Woodman · Lead Installer · Serving TN & GA

FAQ

Common Questions

What is the darkest legal tint in Georgia?

28% VLT is the darkest legal tint on front side windows for all vehicles. For sedans and other passenger cars, 15% VLT is the limit on back side windows and the rear window. For SUVs, trucks, and vans, any darkness is legal on those windows.

Can I get 20% tint on my SUV in Georgia?

Yes — on the back side windows and rear window only. Your front side windows must still be 28% VLT minimum. 20% tint on the front windows is illegal regardless of vehicle type.

Can I get 20% tint on my sedan in Georgia?

Only on the back. Sedans can go as dark as 15% VLT on the back side windows and rear window, so 20% is legal there. The front side windows must allow at least 28%, so 20% is too dark up front.

My tint was installed in Tennessee — is it legal in Georgia?

Yes, in most cases. Tennessee requires at least 35% VLT, and Georgia's limits are now darker (28% front, 15% rear on cars), so tint that meets Tennessee's rule also meets Georgia's. If your vehicle is registered in Georgia, book with us and we'll spec it to Georgia's limits.

Do I need a sticker to show my tint is legal in Georgia?

Georgia no longer requires a compliance sticker. However, the law does require film manufacturers to certify their product for Georgia. We only use certified film and provide written documentation of the installed VLT for every install.

We're near Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe — do you serve Georgia customers?

Yes. Our Chattanooga shop is approximately 20 minutes from Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe. We install to Georgia's legal limits by request and provide documentation confirming compliance. Call (423) 693-3996 or book online.

Georgia-Legal Tint.
Installed Right.

We spec every install to your state's legal limits and verify with documentation. Serving Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe, and all of North Georgia from our Chattanooga shop.