Michigan’s window tint rules are shorter than most people expect, and they work differently from many other states. Instead of setting a darkness percentage for every window, Michigan mostly decides which windows can be tinted at all. Get that part right and most of the confusion goes away.
This guide sums up the rule as the Michigan State Police explain it, so you can plan tint that is legal before you book. It is a plain-English summary, not legal advice.
The law behind it
Window tint in Michigan falls under MCL 257.709, part of the Michigan Vehicle Code. The Michigan State Police answer the most common questions about it on their Traffic Laws FAQ page, and that is what this guide follows.
Which windows can be tinted
| Window | What Michigan allows |
|---|---|
| Rear side windows | Tint allowed |
| Rear window | Tint allowed, as long as the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides |
| Front side windows | Only the top 4 inches, unless you have a medical letter (see below) |
| Any film, any window | Film with solar reflectivity above 35% is not allowed |
Is there a darkness limit?
For the windows where tint is allowed, the State Police say Michigan sets no limit on how dark the film can be. That is why you will see very dark rear windows on Michigan SUVs and trucks that are perfectly legal.
The catch is the front side windows. Because only the top 4 inches can be tinted, a full front-door tint is not legal in Michigan without a medical letter, however light the film is. It is the rule most likely to catch out drivers who move here or buy a car from another state.
Reflective film: the 35% rule
Michigan does limit mirror-like film. Tint with solar reflectivity above 35% is not allowed. Most modern automotive films are non-reflective, so this rarely matters in practice, but it is worth asking about if a film looks shiny or mirrored from the outside. The Pentagon IR film we install is non-reflective and non-metal.
The medical exception
Some people need more shade than the law normally allows, for example because of a condition that makes them sensitive to light. Michigan allows tint on the front side windows when a physician or optometrist has signed a letter saying it is a medical necessity for a light-sensitive person.
- The letter has to be kept in the vehicle.
- Anyone may drive the car, not only the person named in the letter.
- The tint still must not block the driver’s clear view of the road.
If this applies to you, bring the letter when you book and we will plan the front windows with you.
What this means when you choose tint
- Rear windows and rear side windows: choose the shade you like for privacy and heat. Darker film keeps more heat and glare out, but very dark film also makes it harder to see out of the back at night, so think about how much night driving you do.
- Front side windows: plan on the top 4 inches only, unless a medical letter applies.
- Mirrors: tinting the rear window needs outside mirrors on both sides, which almost every modern vehicle already has.
- Film type: pick a non-reflective film. It avoids the 35% reflectivity limit, and a non-metal film does not interfere with phone, GPS or radio signals.
Bought a car with tint already on it?
Check the front side windows first. If they are tinted all the way down and there is no medical letter, the tint does not meet Michigan’s rule. Old film that has turned purple or started to bubble is worth replacing anyway, because it makes the view out harder to read.
Check the source
Rules can change. You can read the Michigan State Police answer yourself on their Traffic Laws FAQ page, and the law itself is MCL 257.709 in the Michigan Vehicle Code.
Get legal tint fitted in Otisville
We fit window tint at our shop in Otisville, near Flint, Davison, Lapeer and Grand Blanc, and we help you pick a legal shade for each window. See the film, the law table and the questions customers ask most on our window tint page, or read whether ceramic window tint is worth the upgrade. To book, call (810) 529-0019 or ask for a free quote.
