California Window Tint Laws Explained: What Every Sacramento Driver Needs to Know
Getting pulled over for window tint in Sacramento , CA is more common than most drivers expect. California's tint laws are specific, enforcement is real, and the rules are different depending on which window you're looking at. What California Law Actually Says About Window Tint California Vehicle Code Section 26708 sets the rules. The law measures tint darkness using VLT (Visible Light Transmission), which is simply the percentage of light a window allows through. Higher VLT means lighter tint. Lower VLT means darker tint. Here is what the law requires for each window: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is only allowed on the top four inches. No dark tint anywhere else on the windshield. Front side windows (driver and passenger): Must allow more than 70% of light through. This is the strictest rule and the one most commonly violated. Rear side windows: Any darkness level is legal. Rear window: Any darkness level is legal, as long as the vehicle has working side mirrors. That last ...