The Texas Front Window Rule, Explained
· 5 min read
The short answer
In Texas, front side windows must let more than 25% of visible light through — film and factory glass combined. Back side windows and the rear window can be any darkness as long as the vehicle has both side mirrors. The windshield may only be tinted above the AS-1 line, or the top five inches if there's no AS-1 marking, and it can't be red, amber or metallic-reflective. A signed medical exemption from a physician or optometrist allows darker front windows.
What the limits actually are#
| Window | Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Front sides | More than 25% VLT | Film and glass together, not film alone |
| Back sides | Any darkness | No limit |
| Rear window | Any darkness | Requires both side mirrors |
| Windshield | Top 5 inches | Above the AS-1 line only |
What the AS-1 line is#
Look at the top of your windshield and you'll usually find a small marking, often the letters AS-1, a few inches down from the roofline. That's the manufacturer's line, and in Texas it's the boundary for windshield tint. Above it you can tint; below it stays clear. If your windshield has no AS-1 marking, the rule falls back to the top five inches.
Medical exemptions#
Texas allows darker front windows with a signed statement from a licensed physician or optometrist. Conditions that commonly qualify include lupus, photosensitivity disorders, a history of melanoma and severe light sensitivity. Bring the paperwork and we'll install to the exemption, and it's fully street legal. Without one, we default to keeping the front sides legal — but the shade up front is still your call to make, not ours.
What happens if my tint is too dark in Texas?
It's a fix-it ticket in most cases: you're cited, you remove or replace the film, and you show compliance. It's not worth it, and a re-tint after a citation costs more than doing it right the first time because the old film has to come off first.
Can I tint the whole windshield with a clear film?
A near-clear ceramic across the full windshield is a different product and a different conversation. The strip rule governs tinted film; a 70%+ VLT ceramic is a grey area that depends on the measured VLT of the finished glass. Ask us and we'll tell you where it lands rather than guess.
Does the rule change for SUVs and trucks?
No, but many arrive with factory privacy glass behind the front doors, which is already dark and already legal. That's why the common job on a truck or SUV in Georgetown is front two windows only, matched to the factory rear.
