Window tint looks great. It keeps your car cool. It gives you privacy. But in Mississippi, getting it wrong can cost you big. We’re talking fines, fix-it tickets, and yes, even jail time in extreme cases.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know. By the end, you’ll know exactly how dark you can go, what the rules are for your car type, and how to stay out of trouble.
What Is Window Tint Law?
Window tint laws control how dark your car windows can be. They exist to protect everyone on the road. Police officers need to see inside vehicles during traffic stops. Drivers need enough visibility to drive safely.
In Mississippi, these laws are found in Mississippi Code Section 63-7-59. The law was first passed in 1988. It was updated and strengthened in 2006. Those updates are still in effect today.
The main thing the law measures is called VLT, or Visible Light Transmission. VLT is just the percentage of light that passes through your window. The higher the number, the more light gets in. The lower the number, the darker the tint.
So simple, right? A 28% VLT means 28% of outside light comes through. Lower than 28% means it’s too dark and illegal.
Basic Tint Rules for Sedans
Let’s start with regular passenger cars like sedans, coupes, and convertibles. These have the most straightforward rules.
Windshield: You can only add tint above the AS-1 line. That’s the line marked near the top of your windshield by the manufacturer. The tint up there must be non-reflective. No dark strips running all the way down.
Front Side Windows: These must let in more than 28% of light. So your tint film must be 28% VLT or lighter. Going darker than that is against the law.
Back Side Windows: Same rule here. More than 28% of light must come through. Mississippi does not give sedans any extra flexibility on the back windows.
Rear Window: Also must allow more than 28% of light. All windows on a sedan follow the same 28% rule, which honestly makes it easy to remember.
Tint Rules for SUVs, Trucks, and Vans
Here’s where things get interesting for SUV and van owners. Mississippi gives you a lot more freedom.
Windshield: Same as sedans. Non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line only.
Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 28% of light, just like sedans. No difference here.
Back Side Windows: Any shade is allowed. You can go as dark as you want on the rear side windows of an SUV, truck, or van.
Rear Window: Any shade is also allowed here. Full limo-tint blackout is completely legal on the back of your SUV.
That’s a pretty big perk if you drive a larger vehicle. Many people don’t realize SUVs get special treatment under this law. You’re not alone if you didn’t know that.
Reflectivity Rules
Okay, this part trips people up. Mississippi doesn’t just regulate how dark your tint is. It also regulates how reflective it is.
Think of reflective tint like a mirror on the outside of your car. It can blind other drivers. That’s why the law puts a limit on it.
For both sedans and SUVs, your tint cannot be more than 20% reflective. This applies to both front and back side windows. It applies to all vehicle types equally.
Stay with me here. Reflectivity and darkness are two separate things. Your tint can be legal on darkness but still illegal if it’s too shiny. Make sure you ask your tint installer about both measurements before they put film on your car.
Tint Colors
Here’s one area where Mississippi is pretty relaxed. All tint colors are legal in this state. Red, yellow, amber, gold, silver, and every other shade are allowed.
Many states ban certain colors. Mississippi does not. This gives you a lot more creative freedom when choosing your tint style.
The Sticker Requirement
Hold on, this part is important. Mississippi requires a special compliance sticker on every tinted vehicle. Without it, you could get pulled over even if your tint is perfectly legal.
After your windows are tinted, you need to take your car to an official tint inspection station. They test your windows to make sure the light transmittance meets state law. If everything checks out, they issue a compliance label.
That label gets placed in the lower left corner of your windshield. It must be readable from outside the car. It shows your label registration number and confirms your tint complies with Mississippi law.
The sticker is self-destructive if anyone tries to peel it off. You can’t transfer it from one car to another. And you absolutely cannot fake one. More on that in a moment.
To find a tint inspection station near you, call the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at (601) 487-7028.
Film Certification
This one’s easy to overlook. The tint film itself must be certified for use in Mississippi. Manufacturers are required to certify the film they sell in the state.
Before you let anyone put tint on your car, ask your installer if the film is certified. A good installer will know immediately. If they seem unsure or can’t answer, that’s a red flag. Find a different shop.
Using uncertified film can cause you problems during inspection. It’s an easy thing to check in advance.
Penalties for Breaking the Tint Law
Now, here’s where things get serious. Mississippi does not play around with window tint violations.
If you get caught driving with illegal tint, you could face a fine and be required to remove the film and show proof of compliance. Think of it like a fix-it ticket. You mess up, you pay, and then you fix it.
But the more serious penalties come if you fake a compliance sticker, alter a medical exemption certificate, or try to deceive a law enforcement officer or inspection station. For those violations, you could face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 3 months in county jail. Or both. That’s no small thing.
Less severe than a felony, but still no joke. Don’t try to game the system with a fake sticker. It is genuinely not worth it.
Who enforces this law? Mississippi Department of Public Safety officers and police officers in towns with a population of 2,000 or more.
Medical Exemptions
Here’s some good news if you have a medical condition that makes sunlight dangerous. Mississippi allows medical exemptions for window tint that would otherwise be illegal.
Conditions like lupus, albinism, and photophobia may qualify. These are conditions where sun exposure can seriously harm a person’s health.
To get an exemption, you need a licensed Mississippi physician to sign a certificate stating your condition requires darker tint. That certificate must be displayed prominently on your vehicle’s dashboard at all times.
You keep the certificate in the car. It stays with that vehicle. Without it on the dashboard, you could still get stopped, even if your condition is real and documented.
Wondering if your condition qualifies? Talk to your doctor. They can review Mississippi’s requirements and help you apply if you’re eligible.
Vehicles That Are Exempt from Tint Laws
Certain vehicles don’t have to follow the standard tint rules at all. Honestly, this surprises a lot of people.
School buses are exempt. So are public transit buses, limousines, and vans owned by nonprofit organizations incorporated under Mississippi law. Funeral home vehicles and government-owned law enforcement and fire department vehicles are also on the exempt list.
Vehicles with tint applied at the factory by the manufacturer, as permitted by federal law, are also exempt from the state’s aftermarket tint rules. If your car came dark from the factory, you’re typically fine.
How to Stay Compliant
You’re going to love this approach because it’s actually simple. Here’s what you need to do to keep everything legal.
First, make sure your tint installer uses certified film. Ask before they start. Second, have your windows tested at an official inspection station right after installation. Third, get your compliance sticker placed on your windshield in the lower left corner. Fourth, keep any medical exemption paperwork on your dashboard if it applies to you.
That’s pretty much it. Four steps and you’re covered.
If you bought a used car with existing tint and you’re not sure if it’s legal, take it to an inspection station. They can test it and tell you right away. It’s a smarter move than finding out during a traffic stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Mississippi for a regular car?
For sedans, all windows must allow more than 28% of light through. This applies to front side, back side, and rear windows equally.
Can I have any shade of tint on my SUV’s rear windows?
Yes. Mississippi allows any level of darkness on the back side and rear windows of SUVs, vans, and trucks. Only the front side windows must follow the 28% rule.
Do I need a sticker even if my tint is legal?
Yes. If your tint was applied after the factory delivered the car, you need a compliance label from an official inspection station. Driving without it can still get you pulled over.
What colors of window tint are legal in Mississippi?
All colors are currently legal in Mississippi. This includes red, amber, yellow, gold, and silver, which many other states ban.
What happens if I get caught with illegal tint?
You could receive a citation and be required to remove the tint and show proof of compliance. Faking stickers or paperwork carries much harsher penalties of up to $1,000 in fines and up to 3 months in jail.
Can I tint my windshield?
Only in the area above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line at the top of the windshield, and the tint must be non-reflective.
Who do I call to find a tint inspection station?
Call the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Window Tint Compliance Division at (601) 487-7028.
Final Thoughts
Window tint in Mississippi is pretty straightforward once you know the rules. Sedans follow the 28% rule across all windows. SUVs and vans get more flexibility in the back. No tint color is banned. But reflectivity, stickers, and film certification matter just as much as darkness.
Most people get into trouble because they didn’t ask the right questions before getting their tint done. Now you know what to ask. Stay compliant, get your sticker, and enjoy your tint without stress.
When in doubt, call the Mississippi DPS or consult a local attorney. It’s always better to check than to guess.
