Florida Statutes §316.2951–316.2957 regulate window tint on every vehicle in the state, including here in Brevard County. These laws set VLT (Visible Light Transmission) minimums for each window — the percentage of light that must pass through your glass and film combined. Lower VLT means darker tint. Officers enforce these limits with calibrated tint meters during traffic stops, and all measurements are subject to a ±3% tolerance (§316.2955).
Sedans and Coupes
Windshield: Non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line only. No reflective tint permitted. (§316.2952)
Front Side Windows: 28% VLT minimum. No more than 25% reflective. (§316.2953)
Rear Side Windows: 15% VLT minimum. No more than 35% reflective. (§316.2954)
Rear Window: 15% VLT minimum. No more than 35% reflective. (§316.2954)
The AS-1 line is a manufacturer's marking about 5–6 inches from the top of the windshield. No tint is allowed below it. Note that factory glass already reduces VLT to around 70–75%, so a 35% film can bring the combined reading below 28% and fail. Always have your installer measure the combined VLT.
SUVs, Trucks, and Vans
Windshield: Non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line only. No reflective tint permitted. (§316.2952)
Front Side Windows: 28% VLT minimum. No more than 25% reflective. (§316.2953)
Rear Side Windows: 6% VLT minimum. No more than 35% reflective. (§316.2954)
Rear Window: 6% VLT minimum. No more than 35% reflective. (§316.2954)
Multipurpose vehicles can go much darker on rear windows — 6% VLT versus 15% for sedans. Front sides remain 28% regardless of vehicle type.
Additional Rules
All colored tints are prohibited — the statute bans any material that "alters the window's color." Use black, charcoal, or gray only.
Dual side mirrors required if any rear window is tinted (§316.294).
Compliance sticker required — the installer must affix a label to the driver's side door jamb confirming legal VLT (§316.2955).
Double-layer film is legal only if the combined VLT still meets minimums.
Penalties
Illegal tint is a noncriminal traffic infraction (§316.2956). First-offense fines are typically around $116 with court fees. It's a primary offense — officers can stop you solely for suspected illegal tint, upheld in State v. Parker (2021). You may be ordered to remove the tint and prove compliance. Repeat violations carry higher fines. Installers who sell or install non-compliant tint face a second-degree misdemeanor.
Medical Exemption
Under §316.29545, drivers with lupus, autoimmune diseases, photosensitivity, or similar conditions can apply for darker tint. Have a Florida-licensed physician complete Form HSMV 83390 and mail it to the FLHSMV Bureau of Motorist Compliance in Tallahassee ($3.00 + $2.50 fee). The exemption is vehicle-specific, does not expire, does not transfer, and must be kept in the vehicle at all times.
What Redline Recommends
Sedans: 30–35% ceramic on front sides, 15% ceramic on rears. SUVs/trucks: 30–35% ceramic on front sides, 5–6% ceramic on rears. Ceramic film blocks up to 50% more infrared heat than carbon, with zero signal interference. It's the best-performing film you can legally run on your front windows in Florida.
<!-- Link "ceramic" → /why-ceramic-tint-is-superior -->
Get Legal Window Tint in Melbourne, FL
Every Redline installation includes a compliance sticker, a lifetime warranty, and a guarantee that your tint meets Florida's requirements. We serve Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Merritt Island, and the entire Brevard County Space Coast.
