Window tint laws in Kentucky were put forth in 1994 and it was the 25th state to enact these laws.
The main reasons why these rules and regulations exist is to make the streets a safer place for you and those around you.
You can definitely get your windows tinted in Kentucky, but it needs to be done in a certain way for it to be legal.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the rules you’re going to have to follow if you want to install tint film on your car windows.
Is Window Tinting Legal in the State of Kentucky?
Even though tinted car windows are perfectly legal in Kentucky, there are some specifications prescribed by the state that you need to follow. This has to do with how dark or reflective your windows can be.
Unlike some other states, the tint laws in Kentucky are slightly different for different windows of your car. For example, the front and rear windows, and both windshields have different transparency and reflection requirements.
Legally Acceptable Window Tint Darkness in Kentucky
Just like all other states in the U.S., Kentucky relies on visible light transmission or VLT as a parameter to measure the level of tint darkness.
VLT is typically measured in percentage. In the case of window tints, it measures the amount of visible light that can pass through your tinted windows and enter your car cabin.
Find the specifications in more detail below.
Sedans
Windshield: Non-reflective tint is permitted if it’s above the AS-1 line as defined by the manufacturer.
Driver-side windows: 35% VLT is required.
Passenger-side windows: Minimum 18% VLT is required.
Rear window: Minimum 18% VLT is required.
SUVs and Vans
Windshield: Non-reflective tint is permitted if it’s above the AS-1 line as defined by the manufacturer.
Driver-side windows: 35% VLT is required.
Passenger-side windows: Minimum 8% VLT is required.
Rear window: Minimum 8% VLT is required.
Tint Reflection Laws in Kentucky
Many car owners prefer the look of reflective window tints. As pleasing as it is aesthetically, reflective windows pose a safety hazard for other vehicles on the street.
However, the state of Kentucky does allow you to install reflective tints as long as they meet the following requirements.
That’s because, apart from glare, this detail has the ability to reduce the heat inside the vehicle.
Sedans, SUVs, and Vans
Driver-side windows: Maximum 25% reflection.
Passenger-side windows: Maximum 35% reflection.
Other Tinting Rules in Kentucky
If your windows are tinted in the front, you need to have a mirror on the driver’s side. Along with that, you must have a rearview mirror or a passenger side mirror attached.
In Kentucky, window tint manufacturers are required to issue a quality certificate. It will tell you whether their product is made in accordance with the law. Make sure you ask your dealer if their film is certified as compliant.
The film should also come with a sticker that lists out its specs. This sticker needs to be placed on the driver’s side door.
Unfortunately, even if you have medical conditions that require you to have a darker tint, Kentucky laws give you no medical exceptions. You are allowed to vary the tint by 3%; that’s all the concession you can get.
You should know that violating these laws is a Class B misdemeanor in the state of Kentucky. So, you might end up with a traffic ticket costing you up to $2,000.
State of Kentucky Info
Kentucky has the Appalachian Mountains to its east, Missouri to its west, the Ohio River to its north, and Tennessee to its south.
Louisville, the home of the popular Kentucky Derby, is the largest city in the state.
Population: 4,509,394
Capital: Frankfort
Registered vehicles: 3,589,118
Total lane miles: 166,971
Number of highways: 9
Tint law references: Kentucky Statutes