Louisiana Window Tint Laws
2025 UPDATE — new 25% VLT rule for front windows
Louisiana Act 143 of 2025 lowers the minimum light-transmission on driver and front-passenger windows from 40% to 25% VLT. All other limits remain unchanged. The change takes effect August 1, 2025; enforcement of the 40% rule continues through July 31.
How dark can window tint be for sedans (Cars)?
Windshield: Non‑reflective tint above the AS‑1 line (or top 5 inches) only.
Front‑side windows: ≥ 25% VLT (effective 8/1/2025).
Back‑side windows: ≥ 25% VLT.
Rear window: ≥ 12% VLT.
Reflectance cap: ≤ 20% luminous reflectance.
How dark can window tint be for SUV's and Vans?
Windshield: Non‑reflective tint above the AS‑1 line (or top 5 inches) only.
Front‑side windows: ≥ 25% VLT (effective 8/1/2025).
Side windows behind the driver: Any darkness permitted (no VLT minimum).
Rear‑most windows (cargo/hatch glass): Any darkness permitted.
Reflectance cap: ≤ 20% luminous reflectance.
Louisiana Law Penalties for illegal tint
$150 – first offense
$250 – second offense
$350 – third and subsequent offenses (and inspection failure until corrected)
Exemptions & special cases
The light‑transmittance requirement of this Section does not apply to windows behind the driver on trucks, buses, trailers, motor homes, or multipurpose passenger vehicles, and to all windows on vehicles used for law‑enforcement purposes, when tinted in accordance with R.S. 32:361.1.
Medical‑necessity permits remain unchanged under R.S. 32:361.1(C)(2).
Definitions & Statutory References
Distributor, Installer, Manufacturer, Seller, Sun screening device, Light transmission, Luminous reflectance
Defined in R.S. 32:361.1(A)(1)–(7).
Obstruction rule: No material on windshield or front side windows may obstruct or reduce driver’s clear view (R.S. 32:361.1(B)).
Certification & labeling: Manufacturers must certify compliance; installers must label each window with installer name and city (R.S. 32:361.1(D)).
Applicability dates: Applies to vehicles manufactured on/after Jan 1, 1994; pre‑1994 tinting exempt with certificate (R.S. 32:361.1(H)–(I)).