Minnesota Window Tint Laws
Minnesota bans windshield film entirely and holds sedans to 50% — one of the tighter rulebooks in the Midwest. A crisp 50% ceramic still knocks out most heat and UV without visible darkness.
Reviewed July 2026 · Passenger cars (sedans) · SUV/van difference noted below
Legal tint limits in Minnesota
| Glass | Rule for passenger cars |
|---|---|
| Windshield | No tint allowed at all. |
| Front side windows | 50% VLT or lighter |
| Back side windows | 50% VLT or lighter |
| Rear window | 50% VLT or lighter |
| Reflectivity | No more than 20% reflective. |
| Medical exemption | Available with qualifying documentation |
What VLT means (and how police check it)
VLT — Visible Light Transmission — is the percentage of outside light that makes it through your glass. The number printed in the law is a floor: film may be that bright or brighter. Because factory glass already blocks a little light, an officer's meter reads the combineddarkness of glass plus film. A film sold as "50%" on top of factory glass can meter a few points darker — which is why professional installers measure the final result, not the box label.
Quality matters as much as darkness. Dyed films fade purple and bubble; ceramic films like ULTRASHIELD SHADOW reject heat and up to 99% of UV at any legal darkness, with no signal interference — so you get the comfort without gambling on the number.
Minnesota tint FAQ
What is the darkest legal tint in Minnesota?+
Can I tint my windshield in Minnesota?+
Does Minnesota allow medical exemptions for darker tint?+
Is ceramic tint legal in Minnesota?+
Are mirrored or reflective films legal in Minnesota?+
ULTRASHIELD installers in Minnesota
Certified shops that install to your state's exact legal limit and register your warranty with CARFAX.
This page summarizes Minnesota statute as published and was last reviewed July 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws change and local enforcement varies — confirm current rules with the Minnesota DMV before tinting.
Local answers for Minnesota drivers
Other states