(770) 545-0149Georgia tint law
Georgia tint law cheat sheet.
The 2026 limits on one page, checked against the signed bill. Free to print and share.
The limits, window by window.
Georgia changed its tint law in 2026 with House Bill 1161. It took effect July 1, 2026. Older articles still list 32%. Percentages are how much light the glass and film let through (VLT), so a lower number is darker.
| Window | Sedan, coupe, hatchback | SUV, truck (multipurpose vehicle) |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows (driver and front passenger) | 28% or lighter (plus or minus 3%) | 28% or lighter (plus or minus 3%) |
| Rear side windows | 15% or lighter (plus or minus 3%) | No limit |
| Rear windshield (back glass) | 15% or lighter (plus or minus 3%) | No limit |
| Front windshield | Top 6 inches only | Top 6 inches only |
| Reflectivity | 20% or less | 20% or less on the windows that have a limit |
What counts as an SUV or truck?
The law calls them multipurpose passenger vehicles: a motor vehicle designed to carry ten people or fewer that is built on a truck chassis or has special features for occasional off-road use. Most pickups and body-on-frame SUVs fit. A car-based crossover or a minivan may be classified differently, so if you are not sure, check how the vehicle is classified or ask us before you pick a shade.
The rear-window exemption also covers school and public buses, buses and vans owned or leased by a nonprofit or religious organization, limousines, and vehicles that were tinted before factory delivery or as permitted by federal law.
Good to know.
- Film plus glass. The meter reads the glass and the film together. Factory glass already blocks some light, so a 35% film on a window usually measures lower than 35%.
- Front side windows are the two windows directly to the right and left of the driver. Every other side window is a rear side window.
- Plus or minus 3% is written into the law as the tolerance on both limits.
- Medical exemption. A driver with a qualifying medical need can apply to the state for an exemption. See our medical exemption guide.
- Tickets. The driver can be ticketed for tint that is too dark for a window. Georgia law can also penalize the installer.
Source and date.
Checked October 25, 2026 against the text of House Bill 1161 as passed, Section 3, which amends Georgia Code Section 40-8-73.1. Read the signed bill on the Georgia governor's site.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Laws can change, so check the current code or ask the Georgia Department of Public Safety if you need certainty. More detail: Georgia tint law, explained and what changed in 2026.
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Not sure what shade is legal on your car?
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