Kentucky tint limits at a glance
| Front side windows | 35% |
|---|---|
| Back side windows | 18% |
| Rear window | 18% |
| Windshield | Top strip above the AS-1 line, or clear film of 70% or more |
| Reflectivity | 25% max front, 35% max rear |
| SUVs, vans and trucks | Multipurpose vehicles: 8% behind the driver |
Percentages are the minimum visible light transmission with the film installed, including the factory glass. A lower number means darker tint.
Is 5%, 20%, 35% or 50% tint legal in Kentucky?
This table shows whether a film with each rating is legal on a sedan in Kentucky. Factory glass blocks some light, so a film reads darker once it's installed.
| Film rating | Front side windows | Back side windows | Rear window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal |
| 15% | Not legal | Not legal | Not legal |
| 20% | Not legal | Likely too dark once installed | Likely too dark once installed |
| 35% | Likely too dark once installed | Legal | Legal |
| 50% | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| 70% | Legal | Legal | Legal |
'Likely too dark once installed' means the film rating meets the limit, but on typical factory glass the combined reading usually falls under it. Meter the window to be sure.
Choosing a film that stays legal
Assume factory side glass passes about 80% of light.
- Front side windows: 45% film or lighter
- Back side windows: 25% film or lighter
- Rear window: 25% film or lighter
Factory privacy glass on many SUVs already reads well under 30%, so any film added over it will read darker still. Always meter after the install.
Fines and penalties
Applying illegal tint is a Class B misdemeanor.
Medical exemptions
Kentucky's tint statute does not set out a medical exemption.
Meter tolerance
Kentucky allows a tolerance of 3% when officers meter a window. A tolerance covers meter error. It isn't extra room to go darker.
For Kentucky tint shops
Installers must apply a permanent compliance label on the inside of the driver's door jamb showing the film's trade name and the installer's business name.
Law history
- : Tint statute amended (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 17).
The law
Kentucky's tint rules are set by KRS § 189.110. Read the source
This page is a reference for drivers and installers, not legal advice. Enforcement can vary by city and county.
Frequently asked questions
How dark can you legally tint your windows in Kentucky?
On a sedan, front side windows: 35%. Back side windows: 18%. Rear window: 18%.
Is 20% tint legal in Kentucky?
Front: Not legal. Back: Likely too dark once installed. Rear: Likely too dark once installed. See the 20% film row.
Is 35% tint legal in Kentucky?
Front: Likely too dark once installed. Back: Legal. Rear: Legal. See the 35% film row.
Is tint allowed on the windshield in Kentucky?
Top strip above the AS-1 line, or clear film of 70% or more
Are the rules different for SUVs and trucks in Kentucky?
Multipurpose vehicles: 8% behind the driver
What is the fine for illegal tint in Kentucky?
Applying illegal tint is a Class B misdemeanor.
Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Kentucky?
Kentucky's tint statute does not set out a medical exemption.
Related
Back to the full chart: Window tint laws by state
Neighboring states:
Data set last updated: