WI. Tint Laws

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Wisconsin Tint Laws: Understanding the Regulations

What Does VLT Mean According to Wisconsin State Law?

VLT

Before we delve into Wisconsin’s tint laws, it’s essential to understand the term VLT, which stands for “Visible Light Transmission.” VLT refers to the amount of visible light allowed to pass through window tint material. In Wisconsin, the window tint laws specify the minimum VLT percentage that must be maintained for different windows of a vehicle.

A HIGHER VLT means that more light is allowed to pass through the window tint film.
Example: a 75% tint will allow 75% of the light to pass through whereas a 5% tint will only allow 5% of the light to pass through, making the 5% tint a much darker film.

So, What is The Legal Tint in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, the legal window tint is determined by the minimum VLT percentage that must be maintained for various windows of a vehicle. Let’s explore the tint laws in Wisconsin for different types of vehicles.

Window tinting for passenger cars and station wagons in Wisconsin is regulated by the state authorities. These regulations are put in place to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, as well as to comply with visibility standards on the road.

Here are the general window tinting regulations for passenger cars and station wagons in Wisconsin:

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top four inches of the windshield. This means that the area above the AS1 line (the top four inches of the windshield) can have tint applied, but the rest of the windshield must remain clear and unobstructed for maximum visibility.
Front Side Windows: Tint must allow more than 50% of light to pass through. This ensures that the driver’s and front passenger’s side windows maintain a sufficient level of visibility, promoting safety during both daytime and nighttime driving.
Back Side Windows: Tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through. The rear side windows, behind the driver and front passenger, are allowed to have a slightly darker tint compared to the front side windows while still meeting the minimum visibility requirements.
Rear Window: Tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through. The rear window, at the back of the vehicle, must also comply with the same visibility standards as the back side windows, ensuring proper visibility for the driver.

It’s important to note that these regulations may be subject to change, and it is the responsibility of vehicle owners and drivers to comply with the current laws regarding window tinting. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in penalties, fines, or even the requirement to remove the non-compliant window tint.

Tint Laws for Multi-Purpose Passenger and Recreational Vehicles in Wisconsin

Window tinting regulations for multi-purpose passenger and recreational vehicles, which include SUVs, vans, and other similar vehicles, bear similarities to those for passenger cars and station wagons, but there are some notable differences.

The guidelines for window tinting in multi-purpose passenger and recreational vehicles in Wisconsin are as follows:

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is permitted along the top four inches of the windshield. This means that drivers of these vehicles can apply a tint strip at the top of their windshields, provided it does not obstruct their view and adheres to the specified height limit.
Front Side Windows: Tint must allow more than 50% of light to pass through. Similar to passenger cars and station wagons, the front side windows of multi-purpose vehicles should allow a minimum of 50% visible light transmission to ensure sufficient visibility for the driver and front passengers.
Rear Side Windows: Tint must allow more than 35% of light to pass through. The rear side windows of these vehicles should have a tint that allows more than 35% of light transmission. This ensures that visibility is not significantly compromised for the driver and rear-seat passengers.

OTHER WISCONSIN WINDOW TINT LAW RULES AND REGULATIONS:

Do I have to have side mirrors in Wisconsin? Dual side mirrors are required only if back window is tinted.
Is colored tint illegal in Wisconsin? All tint colors are allowed in Wisconsin.
What are the Window Tint Certification Rules in Wisconsin? Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in Wisconsin.
Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in Wisconsin? No sticker to identify legal tinting is required.
Are there Medical Exemptions in Wisconsin for Window Tint? Wisconsin allows medical exemptions for special tint.

Always remember that Wisconsin tint laws can change on a daily basis and these rules and regulations may be interpreted differently on a city to city or county to county basis. We recommend double-checking the information contained on this website with your local DMV or local law enforcement agencies for accuracy. This information relating to window tint laws in Wisconsin was last updated on January 5th, 2023. Tinting laws in Wisconsin were enacted in 1996. In case any of our info provided is not up to date or correct be sure to contact us so we can fix it. Thanks!

WISCONSIN WINDOW TINT LAW MEDICAL EXEMPTION REFERENCES

Medical exceptions are permitted by Wisconsin laws. A written statement from the treating physician or Christian Science practitioner which identifies the patient, the medical condition justifying the recommendation, whether the condition is temporary or permanent, and the vehicle to which the recommendation applies, including the make, model, year, and vehicle identification number, shall be carried in the vehicle at all times.

Exemptions are only valid for front-side windows and must not be under 35% VLT.

WINDOW TINT LAWS BY STATE:

The information regarding window tinting laws contained on this website should by no means be used as legal advice. The information here should be used as a starting point for your own research and you should always confirm the data you find here with your local and state departments. It is ultimately your final say as to what the best course of action is for your circumstances. We are not lawyers. If you are interested in legal advice regarding window tint laws and traffic citations for your localized area we would be happy to refer you to some law firms. It is crucial that you not only understand the state laws but also your local municipal laws before you tint your car windows. You also must understand that just because a statute may clearly state one thing or another, that doesn't mean that all members of law enforcement will know the current ruling. This goes for lawyers and even judges too at times. The best prevention for a traffic citation is thorough research and although we do our best to keep these pages up to date, we are only human and sometimes miss the updates.

WISCONSIN TINT CODE

Here is the exact Wisconsin Tint Code and how we understand the language:

CUSTOMER PAPER WORK

When you bring in your vehicle for tinting, We will go over the laws and regulations at the time also. Depending on your film purchase you may be required to sign a waiver before we can proceed to start the tinting process.

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