California window tint law: what is legal in 2026
In California, the rear side windows can be any shade, and so can the back glass if the car has outside mirrors on both sides. The front side windows can only take clear, colorless film that passes at least 88% of light, and the glass with the film must still pass 70%. The windshield can have a transparent strip at the very top. Tinted adhesive film on the front side windows is not legal, even with a doctor's note.
At a glance
| Window | What California allows |
|---|---|
| Front side windows | Clear, colorless film only: at least 88% light through the film, 70% through glass and film, and the installer's signed certificate |
| Rear side windows | Any shade. Side windows behind the driver are exempt |
| Back glass | Any shade, with outside mirrors on both sides showing 200 feet behind |
| Windshield | Transparent top strip only, bottom edge at least 29 inches above the driver's seat, not red or amber, no more glare than bare glass |
| Any window | No red, blue or amber aftermarket material |
| Medical exemption | Removable front sun screens, 35% light or more, not used after dark, with a physician's or optometrist's letter |
| Dermatologist exemption | Clear, colorless 88% film on any window, with a dermatologist's certificate |
Front side windows: clear film only
These are the windows to the immediate left and right of the front seat. Vehicle Code 26708(d) allows only clear, colorless, transparent film on them. The film must let through at least 88% of visible light. The window with the film on must still meet the federal 70% minimum. The film must also improve the glass's UV-A blocking. You need a certificate in the car, signed by the installing company, naming the installer and the film maker with full street addresses. If the film tears or bubbles, it must be removed or replaced. Beware of front-window offers sold as 70% ceramic: film that passes only about 70% on its own misses the 88% minimum.
The windshield strip, word for word
Section 26708(c) allows transparent material only on the topmost part of the windshield. The bottom edge must sit at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver's seat. That is measured from a point 5 inches in front of the bottom of the backrest, with the seat in its rearmost and lowest position and the car on level ground. The strip cannot be red or amber. It cannot carry opaque lettering. It cannot reflect sun or headlight glare into other drivers' eyes more than the bare windshield does. Because the line is measured from the seat, not from the top of the glass, the legal strip depth differs from car to car.
Medical and dermatologist exemptions
Section 26708(b)(10) lets you use sun screening devices on the front side windows if the driver or front passenger carries a letter from a licensed physician and surgeon for a medical condition, or a licensed optometrist for a visual condition. Under Section 26708.2, the screen must be removable: a frame, a rigid panel with temporary fasteners or a roller shade. Transparent screens must be green, gray or neutral smoke and pass at least 35% of light. They cannot be used in darkness. That describes a shade, not film glued to the glass. Separately, Section 26708(e) allows clear, colorless 88% film on any window with a dermatologist's certificate.
What a tint ticket means
Tint falls under the equipment rules, and CHP policy treats equipment violations as correctable. Under Vehicle Code 40610, if the officer finds no fraud, persistent neglect or immediate safety hazard, and you can fix it promptly, the citation is written as correctable, often called a fix-it ticket. You sign a promise to fix it and deliver proof within the time on the notice, up to 30 days. A police department, the CHP or a sheriff can certify the fix. When proof goes through the court, the clerk collects a $25 transaction fee per violation. For a windshield or rear window, an officer can also order the fix within 48 hours.
Mirror film, colors and what we won't install
Section 26708.5 bars anyone from applying film that darkens or colors the glass outside the rules above, so the installer carries the risk too. The code also limits mirror effects: the windshield strip cannot add glare beyond bare glass, medical screens cannot reflect more than 35%, and front side film must be clear and colorless. Section 26701(d) bans red, blue and amber material on every window. So we turn down tinted film of any shade on the front side windows, film below the legal line on the windshield, full windshield tint, red, blue or amber film, and dark adhesive film sold as medical tint. You can get any shade on the rear side windows and back glass, a legal top strip, and clear UV film up front with the signed certificate.