Mississippi Window Tint Law Explained (2026 Guide)

If you drive in Madison, Gluckstadt, Ridgeland, Canton or Jackson, your window tint has to meet Mississippi's tint law. Here is a plain-English summary of the statute, Mississippi Code § 63-7-59, with links to the official sources so you can check it yourself.

The 28% rule

For vehicles registered in Mississippi, tinted or darkened windows are allowed only if the windshield carries a label certifying that all of the vehicle's windows have a light transmittance of 28% or more, or if the owner or driver holds a certificate of medical exemption. In tint-shop terms, that means 28% VLT (visible light transmission) is the limit, measured through the glass and film together.

The windshield

The law does not allow tint film or other darkening material on the windshield, except a sun shield in the uppermost area of the windshield of the kind manufacturers are allowed to install under federal law (often called a brow or visor strip).

No mirrored film

The statute also prohibits glazing material that causes a mirrored effect on the windshield, side wings, side windows or rear window.

The compliance label

Vehicles tinted after factory delivery need a compliance label from an official tint inspection station. The station tests the windows with an approved device, and the label goes in the lower left corner of the windshield. The statute sets the test fee at $5. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety runs the Window Tint Compliance Division, which licenses inspection stations.

Exceptions written into the law

• Windows behind the front two side windows (including the rear window) on pickup trucks, vans, motor homes, RVs, SUVs and multipurpose vehicles, as long as they meet the federal light-transmittance limits that apply to that window before factory delivery.

• Vehicles tinted at the factory as permitted by federal law.

• School buses, public transportation buses, certain nonprofit buses and vans, funeral home vehicles, limousines, and government law enforcement and fire vehicles.

• Drivers with a certificate of medical exemption for a condition seriously aggravated by sunlight.

2026 update: optometrists can now attest for medical exemptions

Senate Bill 2453, approved by the Governor on March 13, 2026, amended § 63-7-59 so that a Mississippi-licensed optometrist, in addition to a licensed physician, can attest to the qualifying condition for a medical exemption. See the bill on LegiScan.

Read the law yourself

Full text: Mississippi Code § 63-7-59 (Justia). This post is a summary for general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure whether a shade is legal for your vehicle, ask before you install.

Have a question about legal tint shades for your car, truck or SUV? Call Toro Tint & Wrap at 901-236-4092, stop by 396 Business Park Dr Ste E in Madison (Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM, Saturday by appointment), or request a free quote.