Ohio Window Tint Laws & Regulations

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Tinting laws for windows of cars are there to protect the residents and for the ease of police patrolling.

The law instructs clear indications of how much light should be allowed through the windows and what can be deemed illegal.

Ohio window tint laws clearly instruct car owners to have a non-reflective tint on the top 5 inches of the windshield.

Whereas 50% VLT tint is allowed on both driver’s window and the passenger’s window. While for the back windows and rear windows, any darkness can be used.

These are the basic instructions for window tinting in Ohio regarding how much VLT is permitted.

The next sections will be magnifying every rule and regulation according to Ohio law.

How Much Tint Darkness Is Legal In Ohio?

Is window tint a primary offense in Ohio state? Find the answer through my guide

The darkness of the tint is calculated by VLT, which is the visual light transmission through a window.

For driving in Ohio, the VLT should be 50% for the driver and passenger windows. Any VLT below 50% will be illegal.

Some states allow full windshield tinting, but Ohio law restricts the tinting to the upper 5 inches of the windshield, which should be non-reflective.

The backseat window and the rear window can be any percentage tint.

Tint Darkness Limit For SUVs And Vans

There are different limitations for different vehicles in the state of Ohio.

Multi-purpose vehicles such as SUVs and vans have their window tinting limitations, which are to be followed, or there are heavy penalties.

The tint darkness limitation for SUVs and vans is that they are allowed a 50% tint on the driver and passenger windows. The back three windows can be any dark.

Lastly, the windshield has to be a non-reflective tint only on the upper 5-inch portion of the screen.

Tint Darkness Limit For Sedans

If you have a sedan and want to give it a classier look, tinting is a way to achieve that. But here are some law’s to be taken into consideration.

1. Front Windshield

The law for the windshield tinting indicated only a 5-inch upper area of the screen to be tinted with a non-reflective tint.

2. Front Seat Side Windows

For the basic tint sedans, the limitations for window tint are 50% VLT for the front windows of the driver and passenger seats.

3. Rear Window

The rearview window is the back end of the car, and according to the law of Ohio, it can be on any darker tint as the driver finds suitable.

4. Back Seat Side Windows

The back seat side windows can be of any percentage of tints. The law of Ohio doesn’t make it mandatory to have a specific VLT for back seat windows and the rearview window.

Window Tint Reflection And Tint Colors

  • The Ohio vehicle window tint law elaborates how the front window accommodates almost 50% of visual light, and there are no restrictions for back seat windows and rearview.
  • For windshield, there should be only 5 inches of the upper area of the screen.
  • There should be no reflective material used in the tinting of any window, including the back seat and rearview windows.
  • Drivers can have any color of tint as they see fit. Ohio law for car window tinting does not restrict any color of tinting.

Medical Exemption Of Window Tint Laws In Ohio

Medical conditions that can cause rashes or other sun-related reactions usually require a lower VLT.

Similarly, people with eyesight sensitivity issues also require different shades of tint.

The only way to plead the case in most states is to contact the agency of law enforcement and petition the court.

But in the law of Ohio regarding tinting, there is no mention of medical exemption.

The law does not allow any change in the already indicated VLT percentages, which can be difficult for some residents.

For such a medical exemption, the owner should contact their registered doctor, and once they have approved, a petition can be filed.

Some car companies also assist in this; BMW sends their customers vision tests, which are provided in 45 – 60 days.

Once the medical exemption is allowed by the law enforcement agency, the exemption is valid for three years, and if you require less than 20% VLT, then you will be referred to the medical review unit.

Get A Certified Sticker From The Company

The law of Ohio for window tinting does not mention any medical exemptions which do not have a sticker from the law enforcement agency.

But if the state law approves the petition, the sticker for medical exemption will be required on the tinted window and your license.

Apart from the medical exception sticker, there is a requirement for a certified sticker for every tinted vehicle that proves that the tinting is by the law.

These stickers are provided by the manufacturer or the company you purchase your tint from. According to the Ohio tint law, it is illegal to drive or sell a car that is not tinted.

Other Window Tint Law Rules And Regulations In Ohio

Though the rules and regulations have been thoroughly looked into and explained in the section above, here are a few things that should be kept in mind while getting your car tinted.

  • The permitted VLT for tint is 50% for the front window and only the upper 5-inch portion of the windshield.
  • The back seat and rearview windows do not have any limitations and can be as dark as the driver likes.
  • There are no color restrictions on the tint.
  • The tint has to be a non-reflective material and a preferable non-mirrored.
  • There are no laws for dual-side mirrors. There is no restriction on their tinting.
  • If your medical exception is approved, it will be valid for three years, plus a sticker will be required for proof. The exemption can be up to 20 VLT. Lower than 20 VLT will get you referred to a medical review unit.

The mentioned points should be considered when getting your vehicle tinted. The tint needs to be n accordance with Ohio Law.

Cost Of Car Window Tint In Ohio

In Ohio, the tinting price depends on the type of tint and the car itself. Such as a basic tint for sedan will cost around $150 for a classic tint, while the prices can range from $100 to $400.

Most people opt for the online DIY kit for $100 and do their tinting themselves. But professional tinting is much more reliable.

In Ohio, the estimated cost for a four-door sedan having a ceramic tint will be $200, calculated as $6 per square foot.

Similarly, for an SUV or a minivan, the cost for ceramic tinting will be $300. For the solar film tint, the cost per square foot is $5.15 to $6.85 in Ohio.

But the dyed tint will cost a little higher than the usual cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is 15% Tint Legal In Ohio?

No, it is illegal for the front window and windshield tinting, but for the back seat window and the rearview window, it is legal.

Q2. Are 5% Tints Legal In Ohio?

No, only if you decide to tint the back seat window and the rearview window with 5% tint, then it is legal.

Q3. Is Limo Tint Legal In Ohio?

No, the darker percentage is only allowed on the backseat window and the rearview window. It is illegal for the front windows, and there are penalties for it.

Q4. Can I Get Pulled Over For Tint In Ohio?

You can surely get pulled over for having less than 50% VLT on the front window or the windshield. For this reason, you should always follow Ohio Law.

Q5. How Much Is A Tint Ticket In Ohio?

If you are caught with a darker tint on the window, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and a ticket of $120. These are serious charges.

Conclusion

The Ohio tint laws are very clear about the tint permitted for the front window, both for driver and passenger windows, to be 50%, and the windshield has the limitation of only a 5-inch tint of no reflective material.

The back seat and the rear window can be of any darker tint suitable to the drive. There are no laws for the side mirror tint or whatsoever.

The rules and regulations are pretty clear. There is no mention in the law for a medical exemption, but a petition can be made to the court by the law enforcement agency.