The Tint On Your Windows
MCL 257.709 — no film on the front side windows below a 4 inch band, and rear glass under 35% reflectance
In Michigan, no sign, nontransparent material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film may be on the front windshield, the side windows next to the driver and front passenger, or the sidewings forward of them, except a tinted film along the top edge.
| The glass | What the statute allows |
|---|---|
| The glassWindshield and front side windows | What the statute allowsTinted film only along the top, not more than 4 inches from the top of the windshield or below the shade band, whichever is closer to the top |
| The glassRear window and side windows behind the driver | What the statute allowsNonreflective, smoked or tinted glass or film is allowed, but not a total solar reflectance of 35% or more, such as a silver or gold reflective film |
| The glassDraperies or louvers behind the driver | What the statute allowsAllowed with an outside rearview mirror on each side |
A medical letter. A special window treatment a physician or optometrist determines necessary for a light sensitive or photosensitive person is allowed, if the owner or operator has the signed letter and it does not obstruct the driver's clear vision.
Out of state. The section does not apply to a vehicle registered in another state, territory or country.
Windshield wiper and defroster rules, and the rules for large trucks, are not on this page. Whether a particular film passes, and how a reading was taken, are questions for a licensed Michigan attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 257.709 — Windshields and windows; prohibitions; rearview mirrors; exceptions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.