An Introduction to Tint Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi tint laws are pretty straight forward. The Government of Mississippi enacts laws that determine how dark the tint can be on your window as well as how reflective the tint should be. All the Mississippi window film rules are outlined in a table below. You are prohibited from using any window film that doesn’t meet the legal regulations outlined by Mississippi.
Here are the Mississippi window tinting law rules and regulations:
Side windows tint must allow more than 28% of light in .
Front windshields must have a non-reflective 3″ tint strip across the top.
Back side windows can have any tint darkness.
Back windshield must allow more than 12% of light in.
Side mirrors must not be tinted.
The red tint color is not legal in Mississippi or only used for decorative purposes.
The colors yellow and bronze are only legal with a medical exemption.
The colors yellow, bronze and gold are only legal exempt for decorative purposes.
Deep reflective tint is illegal in Mississippi.
Side mirrors are mandatory in Mississippi.
What is 20% Window Tint?
20% window tint refers to a visible light transmission (VLT) of 20% in the vehicle and thus the name. A 20% window tint film allows for 20% of the light to pass through the tinted windows. This means that 20% of the interior of any given vehicle would be visible from the outside of the vehicle. Likewise, it is worth noting that 20% VLT leaves 80% of the light from the outside world coming into the vehicle as well.
You might be wondering why we chose to make 20% our first example of the different legal tint limits. In Mississippi, all tint is required to allow a minimum of 20% VLT. Thus, there is not a great deal of variance in the state’s tint laws. Twenty percent is simply the accepted legal-visible for tint throughout the state.
In this regard, 20% tint is considered a medium tint. A consideration will be made for those who only want a little tint on their car or truck windows. Again, 20% is the perfect amount to create that noticeable tint. However, unlike darker window tint levels, 20% tint won’t have as pronounced of a reflective shimmer effect.
With 20% tint, you can rest assured that you’ll still have safe driving conditions. Your windows will be completely legal or as close to legal as possible. Twenty percent tint is a very practical option for your vehicle use.
Maximum Percent for Different Vehicle Windows
When it comes to tint, different types of vehicles come with different legal requirements. All states, including Mississippi, have guidelines for the legal limits on tint darkness and how little light must be allowed through the windows. In Mississippi, the law is different for passenger vehicles like sedans and SUVs than for trucks, vans, and vans. Here’s a brief breakdown.
Cars/SUVs
The Mississippi code states that passenger sedans, coupes, SUVs, and station wagons must have tint that allows 28% light transmission, meaning the tint must have a VLT of 28%. As indicated above, this is fairly dark tint, even in non-reflective form (film with no reflectiveness at all). However, vehicles that also come with factory tint, even if it only amounts to a few percent, are not required to have further tint.
Vans, Trucks, Vans, Excursions, etc.
For vans, pickups, vans, wildcard Hummers and the like: tinted film is allowed on any window that is not a windshield or side mirrors, provided that it does not exceed 20% on the driver’s side windows and rear window. Basically, these vehicles are subject to the same restrictions even if they are substantially larger than the aforementioned passenger sedans, coupes, SUVs, and station wagons.
All vehicles, excluding motorcycles and alternates construed by the Mississippi Legislature, must also have the following legal specifications:
These tint requirements do not apply to specialty equipment, such as emergency vehicles. In the case of a medical condition that requires darker tint, a person may receive an exception allowing darker tint through a physician’s exemption. Obstructing or blacking out any lights or reflectors, for example, the brake lights or tail lights, is also illegal. Also, there are no windshield tint limits in Mississippi, and even a thin strip of tint even darker than factory tint, referred to as statement tint, is acceptable.
Remember, if you have any doubts about the legality of your tint, you can consult the relevant sections of the Mississippi code or contact the VIN Inspection Service in the state.
Fines for Illegal Tint on Your Windows
Get pulled over for a tint on your car window that is too dark and you may face fines or the possibility of having to remove the tint. "Penalties range from warnings to citations," says Jimmy Reagan, the director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Jackson, Mississippi. "It all depends on the officer and the other circumstances involved." A citation in Mississippi can range in price, but may cost anywhere from $50 to $250. Two years ago the state legislature approved a bill to increase the fine to $500 on the third offense, if it was not paid in full. "We have yet to charge that amount on the third offense," Reagan says. In addition, under Mississippi law, after two offenses for illegal tinting you may be required to submit the vehicle for inspection to verify any tint has been removed. "After a vehicle has been stopped multiple times for any offense we will ask them to submit the vehicle for inspection following the law," Reagan says. "This is common practice for all offenses, not just tint violations." In the past five years the Mississippi Highway Patrol has mixed up its campaign against illegal tint by utilizing a variety of tactics. "We have gotten grant money to do concentrated patrols during summer and spring," Reagan says. "During spring break we know people travel and have tinted windows, so we have had concentrated patrols and advertised strictly against illegal tint that month." Now officers can use handheld, battery operated, commercial tint meters to assess the darkness of tinted windows from either inside or outside the vehicle. The Act also states that a full visible light transmittance of 28 percent must be maintained along with a luminous reflectance of 20 percent or less. "There are some occasions they use it, and sometimes they don’t," Reagan says of the meters. "It just depends on the situation."
Exceptions & Special Permits
In some instances, residents may be granted exceptions to the tint laws. For example, medical exemptions are available for those who have medical conditions that are aggravated by bright light or need intense UV protection for health reasons. It is important to carry the medical exemption documentation in the vehicle at all times . Permits for darker window tinting are available on a case-by-case basis for vehicles that are used or owned by religious organizations and churches. In order to be permitted, religious organizations must demonstrate the need for darker tinting due to religious obligations.
How to Measure Tint on Your Vehicle
With the introduction of technology, measuring your window tint has become relatively simple and can be done by most individuals at home. However, there are only a couple of trusted ways to gauge whether the tint on your windows is correctly applied and falling within state guidelines. The best way to make sure that you remain on the right side of the law is to use a tint meter.
A tint meter uses a beam of light to measure the amount of light that is able to penetrate through your window tint. When using this meter, you simply press it against your window, push the lit button and the machine will then read the amount of light that has been blocked out in a matter of seconds. In Mississippi, the allowable number is around 20 percent. If your tint meter shows a rating of 15 percent, than that tint is perfectly legal.
Some car shops offer tint meters themselves. It is always a good idea to double check your tint as soon as it has been applied to your car windows. This protects you as a consumer because if the tint recorded on the meter is above what is permitted by law, you can go back to the shop and ask for a refund, or for the tint to be fixed while your car is still under warranty.
If you plan on doing anything that could possibly be seen by the authorities in a state close to the Mississippi border, you should also consider taking your tint meter with you. For instance, if you drive for Uber, it is important that your tint complies with the laws in Tennessee as well as Mississippi. Some police officers are lenient when it comes to tinting laws across state lines, while others are not. It is a good practice to go ahead and measure your tint to be 100 percent sure of your tint level.
Selecting a Tint Shop for Your Car or Truck
When it comes to choosing a tint shop in Mississippi, it is important to do your research and make sure that you are working with a legal "tinting" company. Start out by asking to see their credentials and documentation. Any reputable medical or standard tint shop should have no problems showing you their legal papers and documentation. They should also be able to provide you with the manufacturer warranty for the product being used, and be able to answer any questions that you have about their services and products. Then, ask yourself: "Do they actually offer services that I am looking for?" This may not be apparent until you have made contact with the business, after which you must judge whether or not they actually have service that fits your needs. Some dealerships will tint windows directly within the dealership, but they may not have the same experience that a tint shop would, which could result in your windows being illegally tinted and poor tinting work. Look at all your options before making a final decision. When evaluating the service of a tinting company, always ask how long their work is guaranteed for. Tinting services should be covered for an extended period of time, not just until you get home. Find out if there are fees if you need the service touched up around edges or if the tint starts coming off. Ask why the service or product that was used is the best product on the market today. With window tinting, like all other items, there are quality brands and unreliable brands. Research the company and manufacturer before entering into an agreement or contract. Avoid tinting companies that refuse to provide documentation or a warranty. These businesses may not be legal or in business for long enough to stand behind their work. Most importantly, choose a company that has a melting reputation amongst customers. Ask your family and friends who had their windows tinted that you think would steer you in the right direction. You can also read about the company online and see what other people have said about their services and quality of work. Make sure that you take all of these factors into consideration when you are in the process of choosing the tint shop for you. It’s best to avoid choosing the first place you come across, and make sure that you read their policies and the work that is being provided and warranted. Be a consumer and shop around before committing to tinting services.
FAQ: Tint Laws
Do you have questions about window tint laws? You’re not alone. These are some of the most common queries we hear from drivers trying to make tint decisions for their vehicles.
What does "VLT" mean?
"VLT" is short for "visible light transmission." All it really means is the amount of light a window lets through into your vehicle’s interior. 5% VLT means the window blocks 95% of the light that would normally enter the vehicle. (Lower numbers mean darker tint.) Most state tint laws are based on VLT standards.
Is 20 percent legal in Mississippi?
While you can legally tint your windows 20% if you have the right medical exemption, for everyone else—including commercial drivers—the answer is no. 20% is too dark for even the front side windows on a passenger vehicle.
Are windshield strip tests done as a mirror or a ruler?
Windshield strips can be tested as either a ruler or a mirror, depending on the law cited when the officer pulls you over . That means it’s important to know the laws for your jurisdiction. If they’re gauged by VLT only, you won’t have a problem. But if they’re measured by reflectivity, your windshield strip could fail inspection, even if it conforms to VLT standards.
Can I tint all my windows at 25% and stay legal?
You can’t apply window tint that’s too dark on your front windows, so the maximum you can go is 35% (if your state allows 35% at all) like the Mississippi tint laws do. You can keep the tint darker (20% or 15%) on the rear windows because law enforcement in Mississippi doesn’t have a good reason to stop you if your rear windows are tinted with these percentages. But they will have a good reason to stop you if your front tint is too dark.
If I’m 18 or older, can I tint my windshield strip up to 70%?
Yes! The Mississippi tint laws leave your windshield strip to your discretion as an adult. You must meet the VLT requirements of 70% with a tint as light as 70% if you want to be legal.