West Virginia imposes specific requirements on how dark or reflective window film can be on vehicles.
Key Legal Requirements on Window Tint
Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) measures how much light passes through the tinted window. West Virginia includes VLT limits in its window tint law to ensure drivers maintain clear visibility on the road and to allow law enforcement officers to see inside vehicles during traffic stops, enhancing safety for both drivers and officers. The rules are as follows:
- For sedans/passenger cars, the front side windows must allow at least 35% of light to pass.
- The rear side windows and rear windshield on passenger cars likewise must allow at least 35% light transmission.
- On the windshield, only a non-reflective sun film strip is allowed at the top 5 inches (or the manufacturer’s AS-1 line, whichever is closer) and the tint must be non-reflective and cannot be red, yellow or amber.
MultiPurpose Vehicles (SUVs, Vans, Trucks)
The rules differ for SUVs, vans and trucks (often called multi-purpose vehicles):
- Front side windows must still allow at least 35% light.
- Rear side windows and rear windshield may have any level of darkness under the law for these vehicle types.
- Reflectivity (mirrorfinish or metallic look) is restricted: the law permits up to a maximum of 20% reflectivity on windows where tint is installed.
Additional Rules & Restrictions
- Tints that are red, amber or yellow in color are prohibited on windows.
- If any windows behind the driver are tinted, the vehicle must have dual outside rearview mirrors (one on the left and one on the right) to comply.
- Manufacturers, installers and distributors must certify that the film meets state standards and permanent labels must be affixed to the tint specifying the percentage of light transmission and manufacturer name.
- A medical exemption is available if a driver or occupant has a medical condition requiring darker tint. An affidavit signed by a physician or optometrist may allow special approval.
Penalties for NonCompliance
Violating the tint law is classified as a misdemeanor in West Virginia. The statute specifies a fine of up to $200 for each infraction. Repeated citations or failure to correct the illegal tint may result in additional legal trouble or vehicle inspection failure.
Can the Window Tint Law Impact a Car Accident Claim in WV?
The 35% limit on light transmission for front windows ensures that drivers maintain adequate visibility and law enforcement can see inside the vehicle when necessary. However, West Virginia’s window tint laws can also directly influence car accident claims. If a driver’s windows are tinted darker than the legal limit, that violation can be considered negligence per se, meaning it serves as automatic evidence of negligence. Insurance companies or opposing counsel may argue that illegal tint reduced visibility and contributed to the crash.
For example, a driver who fails to see another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist because of an overly dark tint may be held partially or fully responsible for the collision. Even if the tint did not cause the crash, violating the law can still weaken a driver’s credibility or defense.
