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5% Tint In Arizona: The Shocking Truth About Legality And Fines You Must Know

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Are you considering 5% window tint, often called "limo tint," for your vehicle in the scorching Arizona sun? As of late 2025, the answer to whether 5% tint is legal in Arizona is a definitive "yes" for certain windows, but a strict "no" for others, making compliance a tricky subject for many drivers. The state's Visible Light Transmission (VLT) laws are clear and strictly enforced, particularly on the front side windows, where the legal limit is significantly higher than 5% to ensure driver visibility and safety.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the most current Arizona window tint regulations, separating the facts from common myths to help you avoid costly fines and fix-it tickets. Understanding the specific VLT percentages for the windshield, front, and rear windows is crucial before you invest in a tint job that could land you in trouble with local law enforcement.

Arizona Window Tint Laws: The VLT Breakdown for Passenger Vehicles

Arizona’s window tint laws are designed to balance privacy and heat reduction with safety for drivers and law enforcement officers. The regulations distinguish between different windows on a vehicle, and the rules for passenger cars (sedans, coupes) differ slightly from those for multi-purpose vehicles (SUVs, trucks, vans). The key measurement to understand is VLT, or Visible Light Transmission, which is the percentage of light allowed to pass through the window film.

  • Windshield: Non-reflective tint is permitted only above the manufacturer's AS-1 line. This line is typically marked on the glass and serves as the upper boundary for tinting, ensuring the driver's main field of vision is unobstructed.
  • Front Side Windows (Driver and Passenger): This is where the law is most restrictive. The tint must allow more than 33% of light in. This means the VLT must be no lower than 33%. A 5% tint is highly illegal on these windows.
  • Back Side Windows (Rear Passenger): For standard passenger cars, the law is much more lenient. You may use any level of darkness, which means 5% tint is completely legal on the rear side windows.
  • Rear Window: Like the back side windows, the rear window can have any level of darkness, making 5% tint legal here as well.

Special Rules for Trucks, SUVs, and Vans (Non-Passenger Vehicles)

For multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), which include most trucks, SUVs, and vans, the rules for the back half of the vehicle are even simpler. The front side windows must still adhere to the 33% VLT limit. However, the back side windows and the rear window have no restriction on VLT darkness, making 5% tint a common and legal choice for these vehicles.

In addition to VLT, Arizona law also regulates the reflectiveness of the tint. Tint film on any window cannot be more than 35% reflective. This is a separate measurement from VLT and is intended to prevent excessive glare that could impair the vision of other drivers.

The Arizona Window Tint Medical Exemption Loophole

For individuals with specific medical conditions that make them highly sensitive to sunlight, Arizona law provides a pathway to legally use darker window tint, potentially including 5% VLT, on windows that would otherwise be illegal. This is known as a medical exemption.

Common conditions that may qualify for an exemption include:

  • Lupus
  • Melanoma or other skin cancers
  • Severe photosensitivity
  • Porphyria
  • Certain eye conditions requiring additional protection from UV rays

How to Apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate

The process to obtain a medical exemption is managed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). It is not an automatic approval; it requires a formal application and review.

  1. Obtain a Physician’s Statement: You must first be examined by a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) who must certify in writing that your medical condition necessitates a darker window tint than the law normally permits.
  2. Complete the ADOT Application: Submit the required application form along with the physician's statement to ADOT for a medical review.
  3. Receive the Exemption: If approved, you will be granted an official exemption certificate. This certificate must be kept in the vehicle at all times and shown to law enforcement upon request. The exemption allows you to have a darker tint, though there may still be specific limits outlined in the approval.

It is crucial to have the official ADOT documentation before installing any non-compliant tint, as an unapproved medical note from a doctor is not sufficient to avoid a citation.

Penalties and Enforcement: What Happens If You Get Busted for 5% Tint?

Arizona law enforcement takes window tint violations seriously, especially on the front side windows where visibility is paramount. If you are caught with a tint that is darker than the legal 33% VLT limit on your front windows, you can expect one of two types of penalties.

Fines and Fix-It Tickets

A citation for illegal window tint is typically a non-moving civil violation. The fines can be substantial, often reaching up to $250 for a single offense. In some cases, officers may issue a "fix-it ticket," which requires the driver to remove the illegal tint and provide proof of compliance to the court or police department within a specified timeframe. Failure to fix the violation can result in higher fines and additional penalties.

Repeat offenses are subject to escalating fines, making it significantly more expensive to ignore the state's VLT requirements. The cost of a ticket often far outweighs the cost of having a legal tint installed correctly the first time.

Key Compliance Entities and Terms

When discussing Arizona window tint, several key entities and terms are essential for full topical authority:

  • VLT (Visible Light Transmission): The percentage of light that passes through the glass and film combined.
  • Non-Reflective Tint: A requirement for all legal tint in AZ, ensuring the film does not create a mirror-like effect.
  • AS-1 Line: The manufacturer's designated line on the windshield, above which a tint strip is allowed.
  • Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.): The specific state laws governing motor vehicle equipment, including tint.
  • ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation): The agency that oversees the medical exemption application process.
  • Tint Meter: The device used by law enforcement to measure the VLT of your windows during a traffic stop.
  • Ceramic Tint: A popular, high-performance film that offers superior heat rejection while maintaining legal VLT levels.
  • Carbon Tint: Another common film type, offering good heat rejection but must still adhere to the 33% VLT limit.
  • Fix-It Ticket: A citation requiring the driver to correct the violation (remove the illegal tint) to avoid a higher fine.
  • Window Film Manufacturers: Companies like Rayno, 3M, and Llumar, whose products must meet AZ state compliance standards.

In summary, while 5% "limo" tint is a fantastic option for the rear and back side windows of your vehicle in Arizona to combat the extreme heat, installing it on the front driver and passenger windows is a direct violation of state law, punishable by significant fines, unless you possess a valid ADOT medical exemption certificate.

5% Tint in Arizona: The Shocking Truth About Legality and Fines You Must Know
is 5 percent tint legal in arizona
is 5 percent tint legal in arizona

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