Georgia Window Tint Laws 2025: VLT Limits, Fines & Medical Exemptions

What Are Georgia’s Window Tint Laws?

If you’re wondering what the legal tint in GA is before booking an appointment or if you just got a tint ticket and want to understand the law, you’re in the right place. Georgia’s window tint regulations are set forth in O.C.G.A. § 40-8-73.1 and apply to every vehicle registered or driven in the state. The rules haven’t changed in years, but confusion is common because the limits vary by window position and vehicle type.

Below, we break down everything: VLT percentages for each window, what happens if you get pulled over, how medical exemptions work, and how to ensure your tint is installed the first time. At G Force Films in Savannah, our window film specialist, Craig, has over 26 years of experience helping drivers get the darkest legal tint in GA without risking a ticket.Understanding VLT: What the Numbers Mean

VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission. It’s the percentage of visible light that passes through your window film and glass combined. A lower VLT number means a darker tint:

Important: VLT is measured as the combined transmission of the film and the factory glass. Most factory glass already blocks some light (typically around 70–80% VLT). A professional installer accounts for this as a key reason why professional installation matters more than you might think.

Georgia Window Tint Laws by Vehicle Type

Georgia law separates vehicles into two categories with different tint allowances. The front windows must always have 32% VLT, but the rear windows have different requirements depending on your vehicle type.

Passenger Vehicles (Sedans, Coupes, Hatchbacks)

For sedan drivers, the rule is straightforward: every window (except the windshield strip) must allow at least 32% of visible light through. This means you can’t go darker than 32% VLT on any window without risking a ticket.

Multi-Purpose Vehicles (SUVs, Trucks, Vans)

This is where Georgia law gives SUV and truck owners a significant advantage. While front side windows still require 32% VLT, you can install any darkness on the back side windows and rear window, including 5% limo tint. The only catch: if your rear window tint reduces visibility below 32%, Georgia requires dual side mirrors (which most SUVs and trucks already have from the factory).

This distinction is one of the most common sources of confusion. Many drivers assume they can apply the same dark tint across their entire sedan as they see on SUVs, which leads to tickets. When in doubt, our team can recommend the right film for your specific vehicle. 

Reflectivity and Color Restrictions in Georgia

Beyond VLT darkness, Georgia also regulates how reflective your tint can be and which colors are allowed.

• Reflectivity limit: Window tint cannot exceed 20% reflectivity on any window. Highly mirrored or chrome-style tints are not legal in Georgia, even if they meet VLT requirements.
• Prohibited colors: Red and amber tint colors are not permitted on any window in Georgia. These colors can interfere with the visibility of brake lights and turn signals from behind.

At G Force Films, we exclusively install XPEL PRIME window films, which are engineered to meet all state reflectivity and color requirements while providing superior heat rejection and UV protection. ]

Complete Georgia Window Tint VLT Chart

*Dual side mirrors required if rear window tint is below 32% VLT.

Is 5% Tint Legal in Georgia?

No, not on front side windows. A 5% tint (often called “limo tint”) allows only 5% of light through, well below Georgia’s 32% VLT requirement for front windows. However, if you drive an SUV, truck, or van, you can legally install 5% tint on the back side windows and rear window. This is one of the most popular configurations we install at G Force Films, 32% on the fronts and 5% on the rears, giving you maximum privacy where the law allows.

Is 20% Tint Legal in Georgia?

On front side windows, no. 20% VLT does not meet Georgia’s 32% minimum for front windows across all vehicle types. On rear windows and back side windows of SUVs, trucks, and vans, yes, 20% tint is perfectly legal. For sedan owners, 20% would also violate the law on rear windows. This is one of the biggest differences between factory tint and aftermarket options. 

Georgia Tint Ticket Fines and Penalties

Wondering how much a tint ticket costs in Georgia? The penalties are steeper than most people expect, especially for repeat offenses.

Officers use a tint meter to measure VLT during traffic stops. If your tint reading is below 32% on the front windows, you’ll receive a citation. Some counties are stricter about enforcement than others, but in the Savannah metro area and along I-95, tint stops are common.

Beyond the fine itself, you’ll likely need to pay for tint removal and reinstallation with a legal film, which often costs more than doing it right the first time. Getting the right VLT from the start saves you money and hassle.

Every tint installation at G Force Films is measured with a calibrated tint meter to verify legal compliance before you leave. We also document every installation in CARFAX, giving you a verifiable record if you’re ever questioned.

Medical Exemptions for Window Tint in Georgia

Georgia does allow medical exemptions for darker window tint under specific conditions. If you have a medical condition that requires protection from sunlight (such as lupus, photosensitivity, or certain skin conditions), you may qualify for a tint exemption.

How to apply for a Georgia tint medical exemption:

• Obtain a written statement from a licensed physician specifying your condition and the level of tint protection required.
• Submit the medical documentation to the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS).
• Carry your approved exemption documentation in your vehicle at all times.
• The exemption applies to a specific vehicle and must be renewed in accordance with DPS guidelines.

Even with a medical exemption, it’s critical that your tint be installed professionally so the VLT matches the VLT specified in your exemption paperwork. An improperly installed film can still result in a citation if it doesn’t match the documented exemption level.

Can You Get Pulled Over for Tint in Georgia?

Yes. Window tint that appears too dark is considered probable cause for a traffic stop in Georgia. Law enforcement officers carry portable tint meters and can test your windows on the spot. In the Savannah area, including Pooler, Rincon, and Hinesville near Fort Stewart, tint enforcement is fairly active, especially along Highway 80 and I-16. 

Officers are trained to recognize tint that’s clearly below legal limits, and tint meters are standard equipment. The best protection against a tint ticket is simple: have your tint installed at a shop that measures VLT with a calibrated meter and provides documentation. If you’re ever stopped, having proof that your tint was professionally installed in compliance with Georgia law carries weight.

What Is the Darkest Legal Tint in Georgia?

The darkest legal tint in GA depends on your vehicle type and which windows you’re tinting:

• Sedans (all windows): 32% VLT is the darkest legal option across every window.
• SUVs/Trucks front side windows: 32% VLT.
• SUVs/Trucks rear windows: Any darkness, including 5% limo tint.

Many of our customers at G Force Films choose XPEL PRIME XR Plus ceramic film at 32% for the front and 5–15% for the rear. This setup maximizes privacy and heat rejection while staying fully compliant with Georgia tint law. 

Why Professional Tint Installation Matters for Legal Compliance

Getting your tint to exactly the right VLT isn’t as simple as buying a “32% film” and applying it. The final VLT reading depends on multiple factors: the film’s darkness, the factory glass tint level (which varies by manufacturer and model year), and the quality of the installation.

A cheap or inexperienced installation can leave you with tint that reads below legal limits even if the film itself is rated at 32% because the combined VLT (film + glass) drops too low. This is the number-one reason drivers get tint tickets even when they thought they bought “legal” film.

At G Force Films, here’s how we protect you:

• Craig, our window film specialist, has over 26 years of installation experience and knows exactly how film and factory glass interact across different vehicle makes and models.
• We use XPEL PRIME films exclusively, a premium, manufacturer-backed product with consistent VLT performance.
• Every installation is verified with a calibrated tint meter before you leave our shop.
• All tint installations are documented in CARFAX, giving you a permanent record of your vehicle’s tint specifications.
• We offer financing through Synchrony Car Care, so you don’t have to compromise on quality to fit your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal tint in GA?

Georgia requires a minimum of 32% VLT on front side windows for all vehicles. SUVs, trucks, and vans can have any tint darkness on the backside windows and the rear window. Sedans must maintain 32% VLT on all windows. Maximum reflectivity is 20%, and red and amber tint colors are prohibited.

Is 20% tint legal in Georgia?

Not on the front side windows. Georgia law requires at least 32% VLT on front windows for all vehicle types. However, 20% tint is legal on the back side windows and rear window of SUVs, trucks, and vans. For sedans, 20% is too dark for any window.

Is 5% tint legal in Georgia?

Only on the rear windows of SUVs, trucks, and vans. 5% limo tint is illegal on the front side windows of any vehicle and on all windows of sedans. Many SUV and truck owners legally run 5% on the rear with 32% on the fronts.

What is the darkest legal tint in GA?

For front side windows on any vehicle: 32% VLT. For rear windows on SUVs, trucks, and vans, there is no limit; you can go as dark as 5% limo tint. For sedans, 32% VLT is the darkest legal option on every window.

How much is a tint ticket in Georgia?

First-offense tint tickets in Georgia typically range from $25 to $100. Second offenses can carry fines of $200 or more, and repeated violations can result in fines up to $1,000 and a misdemeanor charge. You may also be ordered to remove the illegal tint.

Can you get pulled over for tint in Georgia?

Yes. Window tint that appears darker than the legal limit is considered probable cause for a traffic stop. Officers carry portable tint meters to measure VLT on the spot. In the Savannah area, tint enforcement is particularly active along major corridors.

Does Georgia allow medical exemptions for a darker tint?

Yes. Georgia allows medical exemptions through the Department of Public Safety for conditions requiring sun protection, such as lupus or severe photosensitivity. You need a physician’s statement specifying the required tint level, and the exemption paperwork must be carried in your vehicle at all times.

Do I need a tint sticker in Georgia?

Georgia does not require a tint identification sticker. However, having documentation from a professional installer that verifies your VLT levels can help during a traffic stop. All G Force Films installations are documented in CARFAX for your records.

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G-Force Films

G-Force Films is the only specialized shop for Paint Protection Film in Savannah now offering services for window tint, wraps, graphics and stripes.

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