Rhode Island Nontransparent Windshield and Window Laws (Window Tint Laws)

RI General Laws

Rhode Island General Law § 31-23.3-2 prohibits the use or application of ANY nontransparent or sunscreen material, window application, reflective film or non-reflective film used in any way to cover or treat:

  • The front windshield 
  • The side windows immediately adjacent to the right and left of the operator’s seat
  • The side windows immediately to the rear of the operator’s seat and the front passenger seat
  • The rear window

Rhode Island General Law § 31-23.3-4 allows the use of nontransparent or sunscreen material through exemptions in the following situations:

  • The use of nontransparent or sunscreen material or window application on motor vehicles which, when applied, has a total visible light transmittance of not less than seventy percent (70%).
  • The use of sunscreen material on windows behind the driver in trucks, buses, trailers, mobile homes, campers, multipurpose vehicles, charter buses, funeral service vehicles, or limousines, provided that the vehicle is equipped with two (2) outside mirrors, one on each side, if those mirrors meet federal standards adjusted so the driver has a clear view of the highway behind the vehicle.
  • The use of any transparent material limited to the uppermost six inches (6") along the top of the windshield.
  • A motor vehicle registered in this state in the name of a person, or the person’s legal guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this state that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor vehicle with a sunscreen device which may exceed federal standards. The division of motor vehicles, upon application of the individual, which shall include the affidavit, shall issue a sticker (to be applied to the driver’s side window) or a certificate to identify this exemption.
  • Any motor vehicle, registered and garaged within this state, whose sole purpose is to provide executive security to persons within this state. The owner(s) of the vehicle shall first seek and obtain written permission from the local police chief where the vehicle is garaged and registered before the waiver is granted.
  • Motor vehicles owned or leased by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Medical exemptions DO NOT apply to the windshield.

 

Federal Laws

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which include the 70% light transmittance requirement.  Vehicle manufacturers are required to comply with these standards at the time of manufacture, and while factory glass does have some tinting and UV filtration manufactured into the glass, it has a total light transmittance of greater than 70% as required (usually between 70% and 80% total light transmittance). 

Rhode Island's requirements for window tinting are the same as Federal requirements for window tinting. Therefore, the vast majority of vehicles are compliant with the RI window tinting laws when they are manufactured. It is only when any aftermarket window tinting is applied to the windows that the glass may be in violation of these laws.

NHTSA does not restrict vehicle owners from modifying their vehicles after the point of sale by adding additional sunscreen tint to the glass.  Some states have their own window tint laws and regulations which allow for additional tint below the 70%, this is not the case in Rhode Island except as listed as an exemption (see above).

What Aftermarket Tint is Allowed?

It is important to note that stock glass with no aftermarket tinting is generally very close to the 70% transmittance level. This is due to the UV filtration installed within the glass by the manufacturer. Therefore, any aftermarket tint applied to the stock glass would likely cause the light transmittance to fall below 70% and therefore be illegal.

The table below is designed to assist you in determining what level of window tint is acceptable under the current laws and regulations. The percentages represent the total minimum light transmittance permitted. For example, if the minimum light transmittance noted is 70 percent, this means 70 percent of the light contacting the window must pass through the window. 

Window Tint Chart
Window Tint Chart

Passenger Vehicles

Window Tint Passenger Vehicles
Window Tint Passenger Vehicles

Trucks, multipurpose vehicles (SUVs), buses, trailers, mobile homes, campers, charter buses, funeral service vehicles, or limousines

Window Tint Other Vehicles
Window Tint Other Vehicles

Tint Required for Medical Reasons

Motorists may apply for a medical exemption, which a physician or optometrist must complete. The form can be obtained on the DMV website here. 

Medical exemptions DO NOT apply to the windshield.