Washington State Window Tint Law

This page is dedicated to sharing the legal information required for a window tint in the state of Washington. This includes the darkness and reflectiveness of your windows. Each state is different, so do not rely on legal information from a different location in the United States of America. All the information you need is on this page. 

Washington State Automotive Window Tinting Rules 

How dark can window tint be in Washington? 

Tint VLT: Windshield: Non-reflective tints are allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.

Tint VLT: Front Side Windows: Must allow in more than 35% of light.

Tint VLT: Back Side Windows: Must allow in more than 35% of light.

Tint VLT: Rear Window: Must allow in more than 35% of light.

How reflective can window tint be in Washington?

Tint Reflection: Front Side Windows: Must not be more than 35% reflective.

Tint Reflection: Rear Side Windows: Must not be more than 35% reflective.

Other Washington automotive window tinting rules & regulations:

Resisted Colors: Tint colors of red, amber and yellow are not legal.

Side Mirrors: If the back window is tinted, then dual side mirrors are required.

Certificate Requirements: Manufacturers need to certify their film to sell it in Washington. Ask your dealer for their certification details.

Sticker Requirements: Between the film and the glass on the driver’s side window, a sticker to identify legal tinting is required.

Washington Tint Law Reference 

Revised Code of Washington section 46.37.430: Safety glazing – sunscreening or coloring

Exterior Window VLT Tint

How Much Does Car Window Tinting Cost in Washington State

You can expect a price of $45-$50 per window or around $250 in total for small cars. If you wanted a higher quality film, then the cost can be as high as $100 per window, making a total of $600 for all the windows.

For trucks, the price is normally higher, around $300-$400. This is due to labor costs. If the back window is a slider, then this price might be higher again.

SUVs will be the most expensive, around $400-$1,000, depending on the size. 

How Does Car Window Tinting Work?

When you tint a window, a lightweight film is applied to the inside pane of the glass. It is not applied to the outside of the glass. This is to protect the tinting from wear and tear, flying debris, and harsh sunlight. 

The first layer will be a strong polyester laminate which should improve the performance of the windows. The polyester is a transparent film. 

The next film will have tinting agents like metals and dyes, which create the shading effect. This is the layer that blocks UV rays to protect your skin from overexposure to harsh sunlight.

What Is The Best DIY 35% Tinting Product?

With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to find a tint that will actually work well on your car, especially if you buy it online. We have done a lot of research to figure out the best tinting product to apply to your vehicle yourself, and we recommend using the MKBROTHER.

Why Is This The Best?

We praise MKBROTHER so highly because of their easy-to-apply directions, their 99% UV blocking, and their scratch-resistant materials.

The MKBROTHER has a strong tint which allows in visible light but rejects the heat of the sun and the UV rays up to 99% while still sticking to the 35% restriction. This blocking doesn’t create a glare which means you won’t be distracted by the moving sunlight. The lack of glare also means that your vehicle’s interior won’t be affected by the sun rays, allowing it to stay showroom-ready for longer.

As the film is not made from metal fragments, you don’t have to worry about the tinting blocking any of your technology which normally relies on signaling.

How To Apply To Your Car

The tint is made of an adhesive film, which means all you need to do is apply the tint to the car’s window, with no special equipment on hand. 

First, you need to clean the glass on your car to remove any impurities. Next, you want to cut the film to match your car’s window size. We would advise that you check their sizing section before buying, as you will want more than enough to cover your window.

After that, you can pull one corner of the tint’s protective layers to expose the adhesive. You will be given a spray solution. Spray this solution onto the adhesive side of the film and onto the inside of the window you are planning on tinting.  At this point, depending on your state, you would apply the legalization sticker.

Lastly, you should place the film onto the window with the adhesive sides connecting. Then flatten out any bubbles which may have occurred in the process. If you have left any film on the edge of the window, you can cut it off with an extractor knife. 

Pros & Cons Of DIY vs Professional Fitting

There is an obvious reason for doing a DIY fitting instead of hiring a professional, and that’s the price. DIY tinting is so much cheaper that it is definitely worth considering. This can help you either save money or allow you to buy better quality film without the higher charge that the professional will ask for.

However, there is a reason why professionals charge these higher prices. It’s because creating a seamless installation isn’t always easy. If you put the tinting on incorrectly, it won’t last as long, nor will it protect you as much as it should.

Medical Exemption 

Washington State Law allows window tint medical exemptions to be given to vehicle owners. To be granted an exemption, the person operating the vehicle or the passenger in the vehicle must have a written verification from a licensed physician. This verification must explain that the person in question needs to be protected from sunlight exposure due to physical or medical reasons.

This information can be found on the Tint law reference above, under 5d.