Reflective and mirror tint
Front side windows and the windshield strip can be no more than 25% reflective. The films we install are low-reflective, and our 3M and HITEK automotive lines are non-mirrored.
Texas tint law in one paragraph
Texas window tint law (Transportation Code §547.613): front side windows must let in at least 25% of light, measured through the film and glass together, and be no more than 25% reflective. Rear side windows can be any darkness. The rear windshield can be any darkness if the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides. Windshield film is allowed only above the AS-1 line or within the top 5 inches, whichever is closer to the top, and must be 25%+ VLT, no more than 25% reflective, and not red, blue or amber.
Texas tint limits by window
| Window | What Texas allows | Reflectance | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Film only above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches (whichever is closer to the top), 25% VLT or lighter, not red, blue or amber | 25% max | §547.613(b)(1) |
| Front side windows & wing vents | 25% VLT or lighter, film and glass combined | 25% max | §547.613(b)(2) |
| Rear side windows | Any darkness | — | §547.613(b)(2-a) |
| Rear windshield | Any darkness if the vehicle has an outside mirror on each side | — | §547.613(b)(3) |
Source: Texas Transportation Code §547.613, Restrictions on Windows. Reviewed 2026-10-14. This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
The 25% rule is measured through film and glass
Texas measures light transmission “in combination with” the window, so the reading includes the factory glass. Factory glass is slightly tinted and usually lets through less than 100% of light. Put a 25% film on it and the meter can read below 25%.
That is why we usually install 30% or 35% film on front doors. It meters legal on most vehicles and still looks noticeably darker than factory glass. With ceramic film, you still get strong heat rejection at that shade.
The statute also lets the Department of Public Safety treat a front window as compliant if it varies by no more than 3% from the standard (§547.613(d)). Don’t plan around that margin. Aim to be clearly legal.
Other Texas tint rules drivers ask about
Compliance label
Texas requires the installer to place a label between the film and the glass (§547.613(a-1) and §547.609). A shop that skips it can be fined up to $1,000. We label every install.
Medical exemption
The law makes it a defense if the driver or a passenger must be shielded from direct sun for a medical reason (§547.613(e)). Talk to your doctor and keep documentation in the vehicle.
Vehicles the rule skips
Law enforcement vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, licensed for-hire passenger vehicles, vehicles not registered in Texas, and factory glass meeting federal standards (§547.613(b)).
Inspections
Since January 1, 2025, most non-commercial vehicles in Texas no longer need an annual safety inspection. Harris County and other large counties still require emissions testing. Tint rules still apply on the road, and officers can meter windows at a traffic stop.
Buying a car with illegal tint
Selling or buying a car with non-compliant tint isn’t itself an offense (§547.613(f)), but driving it is. We can remove the front film and install a legal shade.
Pick a legal shade with us
Try shades on the preview below. Front doors turn green when the film is light enough for Texas.
Front doors
Rear doors & quarter glass
- 35% front · the usual legal pick in Texas
- 20% rear · legal at any shade with dual side mirrors
Texas measures film and glass together; fronts must meter 25% or lighter. Read the law
Frequently asked questions
Is 20% tint legal in Texas?
Not on the front side windows. 20% film on the front doors reads below the 25% minimum. 20% is legal on the rear side windows, and on the back glass when the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides.
Is 5% limo tint legal in Texas?
Yes on the rear side windows and the back glass (with dual side mirrors). No on the front side windows or the windshield.
Is 35% tint legal in Texas?
Yes. 35% film on the front doors meters above the 25% minimum on almost every vehicle and is the most common front-door choice.
Is 25% tint legal in Texas?
25% is the legal minimum, but it is measured through film and glass together. A 25% film on factory glass usually meters below 25%, so we recommend 30–35% for the front doors.
Can I tint my front windshield in Texas?
Only a strip at the top, above the AS-1 line or within the top 5 inches, whichever is closer to the top. The strip must be at least 25% VLT, no more than 25% reflective, and not red, blue or amber.
What is the AS-1 line?
A marking near the top edge of most windshields, set by the manufacturer under federal glazing standards. Texas uses it as the lower limit for windshield tint.
Do I need side mirrors to tint my back window in Texas?
Yes. The rear windshield can be any darkness only if the vehicle has an outside mirror on each side that shows the road at least 200 feet behind you.
Is red or blue tint legal in Texas?
The statute bans red, blue and amber on the windshield strip. We install neutral black and charcoal films.
Will I fail inspection because of my tint?
Most non-commercial vehicles no longer get an annual safety inspection in Texas as of January 1, 2025. Tint law still applies when you drive, and illegal front tint can get you a ticket.
Ready for cooler glass?
Get an instant price online any time, or call or text us. Shop hours: Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM, Sun 9 AM–7 PM at 2401 Fountain View Dr, Floor 1, Houston, TX 77057.