Rhode Island Window Tint Laws
Rhode Island requires 70% VLT on every window of passenger cars; trucks, SUVs, vans and limousines may be any darkness behind the driver with two outside mirrors.
Rhode Island Window Tint Laws Chart
Official Rhode Island Tint Percentage Limits
Visible Light Transmission (VLT%) statutory limits by window placement under Rhode Island vehicle code.
| Window Position | Passenger Cars (Sedans / Coupes) | SUVs, Trucks & Vans (MPVs) |
|---|---|---|
| Front Windshield Top visor strip | 70% | 70% |
| Front Side Windows Driver & passenger doors | 70% | No limit |
| Back Side Windows Rear passenger compartment | 70% | Any darkness |
| Rear Window (Back Glass) Back windshield | 70% | Any darkness |
| Reflectivity Limit Mirror sheen restriction | Max 20% | Max 20% |
Fines and Penalties for Illegal Tint in Rhode Island
Operating a vehicle with tint darker than statutory limits is classified as a misdemeanor. Citations escalate significantly upon repeat violations:
First Conviction
Classified as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $100 and/or up to 10 days in jail.
Second Conviction
Fine of up to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Third Conviction
Criminal citation with a fine up to $300 and/or up to 3 months in jail (within 1 year).
Rhode Island Specific Tint Rules & Mandates
Dual Side Mirrors Required
Required on both sides to tint the rear window and, on trucks, buses, multipurpose vehicles and similar, the windows behind the driver (§31-23.3-4(3) and (6)).
Prohibited Tint Colors
Chapter 31-23.3 has no color restrictions.
Compliance Certificate Sticker
The installer must place a label of no more than 1.5 square inches with their name and the transmission percentage in the lower left corner of the front window as seen from outside (§31-23.3-3(b)). With a medical exemption, the DMV issues a sticker for the driver's window.
Medical Tint Exemptions
Sworn statement from a Rhode Island-licensed physician or optometrist; the DMV issues a sticker for the driver's window.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Tint Laws
What is the darkest legal tint percentage in Rhode Island? +
For passenger sedans and coupes in Rhode Island, front side windows must allow at least 70% light transmission (VLT). Back side windows allow 70%, and the rear window requires 70%. For SUVs, vans, and trucks (MPVs), the rear side and back glass allow Any darkness.
Can you tint the front windshield in Rhode Island? +
Under Rhode Island law, tinting the full front windshield is strictly prohibited. You are only legally permitted a non-reflective visor sun strip: 70% (typically above the manufacturer's AS-1 line).
Can out-of-state drivers be ticketed for window tint while driving through Rhode Island? +
While law enforcement in Rhode Island enforces the state vehicle code (R.I. Gen. Laws §§31-23.3-2, 31-23.3-4, 31-23.3-5), officers generally extend interstate reciprocity to visiting motorists whose vehicles comply with the legal tint statutes of their home registration state. However, if the tint is excessively dark and prevents officers from seeing the driver, you can still be stopped for safety verification.
Is 20% or 5% (limo tint) legal in Rhode Island? +
On passenger cars, 20% and 5% tint are illegal on front side windows in Rhode Island because they block significantly more light than the statutory limit of 70% VLT. On SUVs, trucks, and vans, 20% or 5% limo tint is legally permissible only on the windows behind the driver (rear sides and back window).
How do police test window tint in Rhode Island, and is there an official tolerance? +
Police officers and state troopers use handheld, certified light meters that slide over the roll-down window to measure total net light transmission. Rhode Island statutes recognize a Not specified. to account for equipment calibration and factory glass variance.
Does Rhode Island allow medical exemptions for darker window tint? +
Yes, Rhode Island permits medical tint waivers for individuals with certified photosensitivity or UV-reactive conditions (such as lupus or porphyria). An official affidavit signed by a licensed physician must be approved and carried in the vehicle at all times.
Do I need a compliance certification sticker on my windows in Rhode Island? +
Yes. Rhode Island statutes mandate that an identifying certification sticker must be affixed between the tint film and glass (typically on the lower driver-side window) to certify compliance with state regulations.
What are the penalties and fines for illegal window tint in Rhode Island? +
Driving with non-compliant tint is classified as a traffic infraction or misdemeanor. First convictions carry fines starting around $100 plus court costs, typically accompanied by a 'fix-it' compliance order requiring removal or replacement of the illegal film.
Top-Rated Window Tint Shops in Rhode Island
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