In Delaware, legal tint is measured by VLT — the percentage of light the filmed glass lets through. The numbers below are the darkest tint the law allows at each window position, labeled VLT MAX: install film darker than the listed VLT and the vehicle is out of compliance. Figures are compiled from official Delaware state sources; laws change, so confirm the current statute before you tint.
| Window | Darkest Legal (VLT MAX) | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Top edge only — transparent material may be placed along the top edge of the windshield only and may not encroach on the AS-1 line (§ 4313(b)). No full-windshield percentage. Subsection (a) separately requires all vehicle glass to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 (49 C.F.R. § 571.205) as of its manufacture date. | |
| Front side windows | 50% — the front side windows and side wings must have a light transmittance of 50 percent or greater (§ 4313(c)(1)) | |
| Back side windows | No restriction — side windows behind the driver may have a light transmittance of 0 percent or greater — any darkness (§ 4313(c)(2)) | |
| Rear window | No restriction — the rear window carries the same 0-percent-or-greater rule as the side windows behind the driver (§ 4313(c)(2)) |
How to Read These Numbers
- Windshield: The windshield rule controls the strip at the top of the glass and how far film or a visor band may extend down. Most states allow a non-reflective strip above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
- Front side windows: Front side windows — driver and front passenger — are the most tightly regulated and the ones checked first at a traffic stop or inspection.
- Back side windows: Rear side windows are usually allowed darker than the fronts, and on SUVs, trucks and vans they are sometimes exempt from the passenger-car limit.
- Rear window: The rear window rule often interacts with side mirrors: darker rear glass typically requires dual outside mirrors.
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Delaware Tint Law Questions
What is the darkest legal tint in Delaware?
For front side windows, Delaware allows tint down to 50% — the front side windows and side wings must have a light transmittance of 50 percent or greater (§ 4313(c)(1)) — the VLT MAX. Rear windows may allow darker film; check the table above for each position.
What happens if my tint is darker than Delaware allows?
Over-dark tint can draw a citation and, in many states, a fix-it order requiring the film to be removed and the vehicle re-inspected. Laws also change — verify the current statute before tinting.