The Tint On Your Windows
G.L. c. 90, § 9D — not less than thirty-five per cent transmittance, and six inches at the top of the windshield
In Massachusetts, no one may operate a vehicle on a public way with sunscreen material, window application, or reflective or nonreflective film on the windshield, the front side windows, the side windows behind the front seats or the rear window that makes the glass in any way nontransparent or obscured, except as the section allows.
| The glass | What the statute allows |
|---|---|
| The glassSide windows and rear window | What the statute allowsMaterial with total visible light reflectance of not more than thirty-five per cent or visible light transmittance of not less than thirty-five per cent, with an outside mirror on each side |
| The glassWindshield | What the statute allowsTransparent material only in the uppermost 6 inches, not into the driver's direct forward viewing area |
| The glassFactory glass | What the statute allowsGlass meeting the federal standard is not covered |
A medical exemption. A licensed physician may determine that a special window treatment is necessary for an owner or operator who is light or photosensitive. The application goes in writing to the medical advisory board with a physician's attestation, and the registrar issues a sticker for the side window next to the operator.
Testing. A statement from the registrar that the glazing complies is prima facie evidence of compliance in any prosecution. Vehicles registered in another state or country are not covered.
Livery vehicles, law enforcement canine vehicles and the registrar's measurement rules are not all on this page. Whether a particular film passes, and how a reading was taken, are questions for a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 9D — Windshields and windows obscured by nontransparent materials
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.