New Jersey Window Tint Law (March 2023)

Every state has their own window tinting laws which differ from each other. From passenger vehicles like sedans and smaller cars to multi-purpose vehicles like SUVs all have to adhere to the laws set by New Jersey. No one wants to face the consequences of going against the rules and regulations put forward by New Jersey and get a fine ticket. After the fine ticket, you will have to take off the illegal tint as well.

The window tint law in New Jersey was brought about in the year 2003. Since then New Jersey has been strict about window tint but when asked what is exactly allowed there is no perfect answer since it depends on the vehicle and window position as well.

In this article, we have done our best in providing you with all the legal information about the window tinting laws as well as the other various rules and regulations in New Jersey that are not really given the most importance. 

Check out other States Window Tint Law :-

What Does VLT Mean According To New Jersey State Law 

VLT(Visible Light Transmission) is the light percentage allowed by the window tint film to travel through your car windows. Now New Jersey like every other state has different legal allowable terms.

How VLT actually works is: THE HIGHER THE VLT THE MORE PROPORTIONS OF LIGHT IS ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH THE WINDOW TINT FILM. Similarly, LESSER  VLT EQUALS TO  LESS PROPORTIONS OF LIGHT PASSING THROUGH THE WINDOW TINT FILM.

For instance: a 65% tint will allow only 65% of the light to pass through whereas a 5% tint will allow only 5% of the light to pass through.

Legal Tint Limit For Passenger Vehicles In New Jersey

  • Front Windshield: It is ILLEGAL to tint this window
  • Front-seat side windows: It is ILLEGAL to tint this window
  • Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
  • Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used 

Legal Tint Limit For Multi-purpose Vehicles In New Jersey

  • Front Windshield: It is ILLEGAL to tint this window
  • Front-seat side windows: It is ILLEGAL to tint this window
  • Back seat side windows: Any tint darkness can be used
  • Rear window: Any tint darkness can be used

Window Tint Reflection In New Jersey

Tint reflections for passenger vehicles:

  • Front side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
  • Backside windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.

Tint reflections for multi-purpose vehicles:

  • Front side windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.
  • Backside windows: No mirrored or metallic appearance.

Exceptions To The Law

There are a few exceptions to the New Jersey window tint laws. Drivers of these particular vehicles should not fret about obeying these laws:

ExceptionsLimousinesAmbulancesChurch-owned vehiclesHearsesBuses

Another case of exceptions is for people who come with medical conditions like great sensitivity to sunlight. People with conditions like these:

  • Porphyrins
  • Solar Urticaria
  • Lupus erythematosus
  • Persistent light reactivity
  • Various other diseases that the chief administrator calls applicable
  • Actinic reticuloid 
  • Polymorphous light eruption 

Most popular types of tints 

These are some of the most famous types of tints among all the other types that you can apply to your car windows.

                  Tint Percent                         Effect
                            5%                    Can’t see through
                            20%    Can see through only if you get close
                            35%Dark appearance but still allows to see through
                            50%Only half the light enters the car which cuts down the glare as well as harmful UV rays

Other New Jersey Window Tint Laws And Regulations:

Before you decide on whether you want to get your car windows tinted it is best for you to go through these other laws besides the basic ones that tell you how much you can tint your windows and how reflective they can be. Here are some other important things to consider before making a final decision.

  1. Do I need to have a side mirror in New Jersey? If the back window is tinted then it is necessary to have dual side mirrors. 
  2. Is colored tint illegal in New Jersey? All tint colors are allowed in New Jersey.
  3. What are the Window Tint Certification rules in New Jersey? The tint film manufacturers do not have to certify the film they sell in New Jersey.
  4. Do I need a certified sticker from the company installing my window tint in New Jersey? No, you do not require a sticker to recognize legal tinting being done on your car windows.
  5. Are there any medical exemptions for window tint in New Jersey? For special tint, New Jersey allows medical exemptions. 
  6. What are the penalties like? Maximum $1,000 for the first offense then $5,000 for the second offense.