Oregon’s windshield tint laws allow aftermarket tint film on the top six inches of the windshield only. Nothing below that line is legal, no matter how light or clear the film is. There is no percentage exemption that lets you cover the full windshield, and the statute does not recognize an AS-1 line. A violation is a Class B traffic offense with a presumptive fine of $265.
The Six-Inch Rule
The statute draws a hard boundary. Tint film may be applied to the top six inches of the windshield and nowhere else on that piece of glass.1Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code 815.221 – Tinting; Authorized and Prohibited Materials; Certificate The film on that top strip can be darker than what side windows allow, so a traditional sun-visor band is fine as long as it stays within the six inches.
Two misconceptions cause most of the trouble. The first is that Oregon permits full-windshield tint at 70% visible light transmittance. It doesn’t. The second is that the legal boundary is the AS-1 marking etched into the glass by the manufacturer. Oregon’s statute makes no mention of AS-1. The measurement is six inches from the top, full stop.
How Windshield Rules Differ From Side and Rear Windows
Side and rear windows follow a completely separate framework built around light transmittance percentages. A film on those windows must let at least 50% of light through before installation, must reflect no more than 13% of light, and once applied must leave the whole window passing at least 35% of light.1Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code 815.221 – Tinting; Authorized and Prohibited Materials; Certificate
None of those numbers apply to the windshield. You cannot use the 35% side-window standard to justify a light film across the whole windshield. The windshield is governed only by the location rule, not by a transmittance threshold.
Prohibited Films and Colors
Some tint materials are illegal on every window, including the six-inch windshield strip:
- Mirror-finish or highly reflective films that create a one-way appearance
- Red, gold, yellow, amber, and black tint films
- Spray-on or brush-on liquid tinting products; only adhesive film qualifies
The color list surprises people, because black is the most commonly requested shade. The ban targets the color of the film material itself rather than how the glass looks after installation, so confirm the product with your installer before any work begins.1Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code 815.221 – Tinting; Authorized and Prohibited Materials; Certificate
Medical Exemptions Do Not Cover the Windshield
Oregon has a medical exemption that permits darker tint for drivers or household members with light-sensitive conditions, supported by an affidavit, prescription, or letter from a licensed physician or optometrist. That exemption applies to side and rear windows only. It does not authorize any tint below the top six inches of the windshield, even with a doctor’s documentation.2Oregon Department of Transportation. Frequently Asked Questions About Window Tinting
Penalties for Illegal Windshield Tint
Illegal window tinting is a Class B traffic violation in Oregon, and the offense applies both to installing non-compliant film and to driving a vehicle that has it.3Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code 815.222 – Illegal Window Tinting; Dismissal; Penalty The presumptive fine is $265, with a minimum of $135 and a maximum of $1,000. Court surcharges and local fees can raise the total. The Oregon Department of Transportation notes that fines may reach $360 once assessments are added.2Oregon Department of Transportation. Frequently Asked Questions About Window Tinting
Oregon does not use a driver’s license point system, so a tint violation adds no points. It does appear on your driving record, and a traffic conviction can affect insurance rates at renewal.
Getting a Tint Ticket Dismissed
The statute gives you a straightforward path to resolve a citation after the fact. A court can dismiss the ticket or reduce the fine if you show the windows were brought into compliance after you were cited. Any of the following counts as proof:
- A receipt from a business showing the non-compliant tint was removed or replaced with legal film
- A written statement from a law enforcement officer confirming the windows now comply
- Other evidence showing the tint was corrected
The court can also dismiss or reduce a fine if you show that you or a household member had a qualifying medical condition at the time of the citation, using the same physician or optometrist documentation described above, even if you didn’t have it in the vehicle during the stop.4Oregon State Legislature. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 815
For most drivers the fix-it route is the practical one. Having the illegal film removed or replaced and bringing the receipt to court usually costs less than paying the full fine, and judges often dismiss when the correction was made promptly.