How Dark Can Window Tint be in Missouri?
Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In Missouri, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.
Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed at the top of the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Back Side Windows: Any darkness can be used.
Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.
How Reflective Can the Tint be in Missouri?
Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting film contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light.
Front Side Windows: Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Back Side Windows: Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Other Missouri Rules and Regulations
Restricted Colors: No colors of tint are explicitly banned.
Side Mirrors: Dual side mirrors are required if back window is tinted.
Certificate Requirements: Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in the state.
Sticker Requirements: No sticker to identify legal tinting is required.
Medical Exemption: State allows medical exemptions for special tint. For more details about the specific terms of the exemption, consult your state law.
Missouri Revised Statutes
Chapter 307
Vehicle Equipment Regulations
Section 307.173
Vision-reducing material applied to windshield or windows without permit prohibited–penalty–rules, procedure.
307.173. 1.Any person may operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, that has a light transmission of thirty-five percent or more plus or minus three percent and a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent or less plus or minus three percent. Except as provided in subsection 5 of this section, any sun screening device applied to front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver in excess of the requirements of this section shall be prohibited without a permit pursuant to a physician’s prescription as described below. A permit to operate a motor vehicle with front sidewing vents or windows located immediately to the left and right of the driver that have a sun screening device, in conjunction with safety glazing material, which permits less light transmission and luminous reflectance than allowed under the requirements of this subsection, may be issued by the department of public safety to a person having a serious medical condition which requires the use of a sun screening device if the permittee’s physician prescribes its use. The director of the department of public safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the issuance of the permit. The permit shall allow operation of the vehicle by any titleholder or relative within the second degree by consanguinity or affinity, which shall mean a spouse, each grandparent, parent, brother, sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, child, and grandchild of a person, who resides in the household. Except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, all sun screening devices applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle are prohibited.
2. This section shall not prohibit labels, stickers, decalcomania, or informational signs on motor vehicles or the application of tinted or solar screening material to recreational vehicles as defined in section 700.010, RSMo, provided that such material does not interfere with the driver’s normal view of the road. This section shall not prohibit factory installed tinted glass, the equivalent replacement thereof or tinting material applied to the upper portion of the motor vehicle’s windshield which is normally tinted by the manufacturer of motor vehicle safety glass.
3. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, and, if applicable, section 536.028, RSMo. This section and chapter 536, RSMo, are non severable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2001, shall be invalid and void.
4. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
5. Any vehicle licensed with a historical license plate shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
