Kentucky Window Tint Laws (May 2023)

If you are someone looking to tint your vehicle’s windows or buy a new vehicle that has tinted windows already, and you have no idea about the window tint laws in Kentucky, you are at the right place…

Laws governing window tinting were passed by the Kentucky Legislature in 1994. After that, they have maintained a strict approach to the laws they have enacted for their people. The next step is to decide whether you want a vehicle with tinted windows or tint your current one. Once you know how dark or reflective your window tint can be, you can take the next step.

Avoiding potential legal problems can be as easy as being aware which state laws cover window tinting in Kentucky. In Kentucky, there are quite a few rules and regulations regarding automobile window tinting.

In this article, we have tried to do justice to this topic by providing you with all the possible information you need to be aware of before buying a car with tinted windows or before you decide to tint your car windows. Information like how reflective or dark the tint should be, and the other various rules and regulations are mentioned too. To now more, continue reading…

Check out other States Window Tint Law :-

What is VLT?

VLT(Visible Light Transmission) is the light percentage allowed by the window tint film to travel through your car windows. Each and every state has dissimilar allowable terms for it. In the state of Kentucky, the proportion of light allowed to pass through passenger vehicle window films and multi-purpose vehicle window films is different.

HIGH VLT= MORE AMOUNTS OF LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH YOUR WINDOW TINT FILMS.

LOW VLT= LESS AMOUNT OF LIGHT TO PASS THROUGH YOUR WINDOW TINT FILMS.

For instance, an 83% tint will allow only 83% of light to pass through whereas a 10% tint will allow only 10% of light to travel through the window tint film. 

Legal tint limit: Passenger Vehicles

  • Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
  • Front seat side windows: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
  • Back seat side windows: up to 18% tint darkness allowed
  • Rear window: up to 18% tint darkness allowed 

Legal Tint Limit: Multi-purpose Vehicles

  • Front Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
  • Front seat side windows: up to 35% tint darkness allowed
  • Back seat side windows: up to 8% tint darkness allowed
  • Rear window: up to 8% tint darkness allowed

The light percentage allowed through your window film and glass in the state of Kentucky is very strict. The lint limits vary for passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles.

Tint reflection 

The one main reason for having window tints is so that it helps reflect light which then further in the process reduces glare as well as heat. Depending on the vehicle type as well as the type of tint, Kentucky state law allows only a certain level of reflection with a tint.

Tint reflection: Passenger Vehicles 

  • Front side windows: It must not be more than 25% when it comes to tint reflection in the state of Kentucky.
  • Back side windows: It must not be more than 35% when it comes to tint reflection in the state of Kentucky.

 Tint reflection: Multi-purpose Vehicles 

  • Front side windows: It must not be more than 25% when it comes to tint reflection in the state of Kentucky.
  • Back side windows: It must not be more than 35% when it comes to tint reflection in the state of Kentucky.

Other Window tint rules

Besides the basic laws that you have come across already, there are some other rules and regulations that you need to pay good attention to, in order to avoid any form of negative situations. It is important to consider the laws as well as these particular rules and regulations altogether before you decide to get your car windows tinted. These rules and regulations may vary in other states. 

  • Do I need to have side mirrors in Kentucky? There is a requirement of having at least a driver’s side mirror and either a passenger side rear view mirror or a windshield mirror in the state of Kentucky. 
  • Is colored tint illegal in Kentucky? No, in the state of Kentucky, all tint colours are allowed.
  • What are the Window Tint Certification Rules in Kentucky? The tint Film manufacturers have to certify the film they sell in the state of Kentucky. You need to make sure that your dealer is using certified films. 
  • Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in Kentucky? Yes, there is a need to have a sticker to identify legal tinting in the state of Kentucky. The sticker is required to be on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb.
  • Are there Medical Exemptions in Kentucky for Window Tint? The state of Kentucky does not allow medical exemptions that would allow you to have any special tints. 
  • What are the penalties like in Kentucky? There is a reason why there are laws as well as these rules and regulations made, mainly to be followed. In the state of Kentucky, if you are driving your vehicle with windows that are too dark or too reflective then you will come across a class B misdemeanour. 
  • Are tinted headlights allowed in the state of Kentucky? A Kentucky law says that your headlights can emit only white colour and nothing else besides the colour white. It also mentions that headlamps must meet the United States Department of Transportation regulations. The law of Kentucky does not only ban bulbs that emit colour but also any tint or film you put over your headlights.