The exact light transmittance limits for cars, trucks and SUVs registered in Maryland, what a repair order means, and how to stay legal. Checked against the statute October 6, 2026.
Maryland's window tint rule is Transportation Article § 22-406, enforced by the MVA and state and county police. This page summarizes it in plain language for drivers. We last checked it against the statute and the MVA's published guidance on October 6, 2026. It is a summary, not legal advice, and the statute controls if anything here is out of date.
The rule is written around light transmittance: the share of light that passes through the glass and the film together. Lower is darker. Maryland's line is 35%.
The vehicle class on your Maryland registration decides which list applies. That is why a pickup or SUV with dark factory privacy glass is legal while the same shade on a sedan is not.
Mirrored or highly reflective film and red or amber tints are not permitted. Every film Pro Tint installs is a neutral charcoal with low reflectivity.
The MVA issues tint exemptions for documented light-sensitive medical conditions, on a physician's certification. The exemption paperwork comes from the state and has to be kept in the vehicle. We will install darker film for a customer who shows us a valid exemption. We cannot issue one.
Tint enforcement in Prince George's County bites in two places: traffic stops and the Maryland safety inspection.
On a stop, an officer with a tint meter can issue a citation and a Safety Equipment Repair Order. You then have a short window to remove the film, have the vehicle inspected and return the signed order. Miss it and the penalties grow and your registration can be flagged.
On the safety inspection, which Maryland requires when a used vehicle is sold or brought in from another state, illegal tint is a failure item. The station will not pass the car until the film comes off. Cars bought in Virginia, Florida or the Carolinas with 20% all around are the most common removal jobs we see for this reason.
Both end with a removal bill and, usually, a new install at a legal shade. Starting at 35% skips all of it.
35% light transmittance on every window of a passenger car. On trucks, SUVs, vans and other multipurpose vehicles, 35% on the two front door windows, with no limit on windows behind the driver.
Not on the front door windows of any vehicle, and not on any window of a passenger car, without an MVA medical exemption. 20% is legal behind the driver on a truck, SUV or van.
Only above the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches, whichever is less. Below that line, no aftermarket film.
The officer can issue a citation and a Safety Equipment Repair Order. You then have to remove the film and have the vehicle inspected within the time on the order, or face additional penalties and a registration flag.
Not on a passenger car, and not on the front doors of any vehicle, unless you show us a valid MVA exemption. Behind the driver on trucks, SUVs and vans, yes, because Maryland allows it.