Hawaii Window Tint Laws
Published by TintLegal. Content corrected September 19, 2026. Individual source-check dates appear alongside the rules; this is AI-assisted source research, not professional legal review.
Start with the correct window and vehicle
For ordinary passenger car / sedan, front-side requirement: >= 35% combined VLT. Rear-side requirement: No VLT minimum — conditions apply. Rear window: No VLT minimum — conditions apply.
A whole windshield and its upper visor strip have separate rules. Read the conditions below before choosing film. A “no VLT minimum” entry does not remove other restrictions.
Window and vehicle requirements
Window positions only; shading does not simulate tint or visibility. Ordinary passenger car / sedan:
- A — Whole windshield: Not yet verified. The visor strip is a separate table row.
- B — Front side: >= 35% combined VLT
- C — Rear side: No VLT minimum — conditions apply
- D — Rear window: No VLT minimum — conditions apply
Ordinary passenger car / sedan
Special classes and exemptions require separate assessment; do not infer classification from marketing names.
| Window | Requirement | Conditions and evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Front side | >= 35% combined VLT | Tolerance, separate from minimum: ±6 percentage points statutory tolerance, separate. §291-21.5 (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Rear side | No VLT minimum — conditions apply | Both exterior mirrors are fitted and adjusted to provide the rearward view specified in the official rule. §291-21.5 (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Rear window | No VLT minimum — conditions apply | Both exterior mirrors are fitted and adjusted to provide the rearward view specified in the official rule. §291-21.5 (checked 2026-09-19) |
| Full windshield | Not yet verified | Current rule has not yet been verified. |
| Windshield visor strip | No VLT minimum — conditions apply | Strip is above AS-1, or within top four inches if the marker is absent. §291-21.5 (checked 2026-09-19) |
Check a tint VLT requirement
Use a measured combined glass-plus-film VLT reading. A film label alone cannot tell you the installed VLT. This is a limited check, not a certificate of complete compliance.
Choose your state, class and window, then enter the measured VLT.
Read the state rules and official sources
Estimate combined VLT from film and glass specifications
Approximation: glass VLT × film VLT ÷ 100. For example, 80% glass × 35% film = 28%. An estimate is not a calibrated measurement and is never used as a passing calculator result.
Restrictions beyond darkness
Rear-side/rear exception requires dual exterior mirrors. Certificate and traffic-stop window requirements remain relevant. Medical process not established.
Window positions: front-side means beside the driver/front passenger; rear-side means behind the driver; rear window means the back-facing glass. The tables separate full-windshield coverage from an upper strip. Vehicle marketing names alone do not resolve statutory classifications.
Medical exemptions
Availability and process not yet verified. A missing form does not mean no exemption exists.
Renewal: Not yet verified; confirm with the issuing authority.
Compare verified medical instructions . Do not treat a medical diagnosis as automatic approval.
Tickets and costs
Owner violation carries a statutory$300–$550 for each separate offense. Installer penalties are different; local costs and repeat-offense tiers are not established.
Official sources and research limits
- §291-21.5
Front 35% combined with 6% tolerance. Amended rear-side/rear exception requires dual mirrors; stripAS-1 or top 4 in absent marker.
Source checked 2026-09-19. Effective date established: 2025-05-29.
- Act 129 §6
Signed act approvalMay 29,2025; section 6 makes the amendments effective upon approval.
Source checked 2026-09-19. Effective date established: 2025-05-29.
Unknown entries identify specific research gaps. They are not assertions that tint is prohibited or unrestricted. Contact the official motor-vehicle agency to resolve an unclear classification before installation.
Practical questions
Does a 35% film label mean the window measures 35%?
No. With 80% glass, 35% film estimates to 28% combined VLT. Measure the installed combination; understand VLT and estimates .
Does passing the calculator prove full compliance?
No. It checks the verified numerical rule and explicitly confirmed conditions for the selected case. Reflection, color, certification, special uses and approved exemptions may need separate assessment.
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